Mollie Stone’s Announces 10th Bay Area Store

Mollie Stone’s Markets of Mill Valley, Calif., has announced the acquisition of its 10th location in the Bay Area, slated to open in 2020. Formerly home to a sporting goods store, the 43,900-square-foot building at 1600 Jackson Street in San Francisco has been vacant since 2014.

“The new Market at Polk and Jackson will be our fourth store in San Francisco, and we are extremely excited to expand in our City by the Bay,” said owner Mike Stone in a press release.

Whole Foods Market, a neighboring full-service grocery store less than a half-mile from the new Mollie Stone’s, had announced in 2016 that it would open a small-format 365 store at the location. Citing concerns about chains encroaching on mom and pop shops, the San Francisco Planning Commission turned down the Austin, Texas-based retailer’s proposal to occupy the building in 2018.

“In this day and age when large national chains and foreign-owned specialty chains are all vying for our local dollars and sales, Mollie Stone’s is filling the void for old-style, hometown quality, selection and service,” Stone said in a release. “Mollie Stone’s still treats customers one at a time.”

Mollie Stone’s began as a natural and organic food market in 1986, but has since expanded its concept to include traditional grocery options. Along with organic and natural offerings, Mollie’s carries a complete selection of national brand groceries, dairy, deli and frozen food.

The new location at Polk and Jackson streets joins its three existing San Francisco locations, as well as Bay Area stores in Sausalito, Greenbrae, Palo Alto, San Mateo, Burlingame and San Bruno.