Cardenas Markets to Close in Concord

Citing an inability to deliver a “best-in-class experience” for shoppers at the new store, Cardenas Markets is set to close its Concord, Calif., location on Monument Boulevard on March 4, just six months after its opening.

The Ontario, Calif.-based grocer, which embarked on ambitious expansion plans in Los Angeles and Orange County late last year, operates the majority of its Southern California locations within the Inland Empire. Concord is in the Bay Area.

“When we select new markets to enter, we strive to deliver that same superior customer experience shoppers have come to expect and deserve," said officials of Cardenas Markets in a statement sent to Claycord News & Talk.

The company was not immediately available for additional comment.

“When Cardenas Markets opened the Concord store, it was our goal to bring customers that same, best-in-class experience. However, it has become clear that providing this kind of service to the city of Concord store is not possible due to circumstances which affected business operations. We will suspend operations and close our store in the city of Concord at the end of today," officials said. 

In October, the Bay City News reported an “ongoing rift over some design aspects” of the Monument store, a former Safeway that had been closed for several years. According to the report, the Monument Business Owners Coalition had appealed the city’s design review for the store and alleged the project was not consistent with Concord’s general plan as it related to the Monument community.

It is not clear whether squabbles over the design of the market led to Cardenas’ decision to shutter the location.

The statement from Cardenas Markets to Claycord News & Talk further indicated that it is working with team members impacted by the closure to explore opportunities at other locations within its family of stores.

Cardenas Markets will continue to operate its other stores in the region, including a store in nearby Pittsburg, Calif.  

“It is important to stress that this closure is a one-off situation,” said the statement from Cardenas Markets. “We are poised for success, and our existing growth plans are still in place.”

The grocer is preparing for its next grand opening in the city of Whittier, Calif., followed by a 60th store in Montclair.