Northgate Market to open a big, new California store while closing two smaller ones

Mexican grocer Northgate Gonzalez Market is opening a new store in Santa Ana, California, early next month, while closing two nearby markets around the same time, the retailer announced earlier this month.

The company has spent more than $25 million on the new store, a former Stater Bros. location, according to a statement.

The two smaller stores slated to be closed are at 1623 W. 17th St. and 409 E. 4th Street in Santa Ana. Northgate said it also plans to open another store in the area at “a later opening date.” Workers at the soon-to-close stores will be transferred to other Santa Ana locations, the company said, and new employees will also be hired to staff the larger store.

During the holidays, Northgate will provide regular shuttle service from the old store on E. 4th Street to the new location, the company said.

“The continued commitment of our grocery brand to the residents of Santa Ana provides us with an opportunity to offer local consumers an expanded, fresh and new authentically Mexican shopping experience with a beautiful, larger and innovative format with enhanced customer service that will exceed everyone’s expectations,” Oscar Gonzales, Northgate’s co-president, said in a statement.

The new Northgate Gonzalez Market will feature Mexican and Latino foods with a focus on convenience, selling “hundreds of new, on-the-go items,” the retailer said.

The retailer is known for meats such as marinated carne asada, chorizo and carnitas.

The new store will feature hot and cold food bars with tamales, soups and stews, fresh salsa and hot meals; fresh produce including spices, dried chiles and Mexican herbs; expanded meat and cheese departments; expanded bakery/panaderia with more than 100 artisan breads, cakes and cookies; an extensive beer, wine and tequila selection; and a large seafood and ceviche selection with 10 types of ceviche and shrimp cocktail.

“Northgate Market will also continue to provide the foods that made them famous—scratch-made bolillo rolls, freshly made carnitas, fire-roasted split chicken, and freshly made flour and corn tortillas,” the grocer said in a statement.

Southern California-based Northgate Gonzales Market is family-owned and operates 42 stores in Orange County, Los Angeles and San Diego counties.