Grocery Outlet Bargain Market opens in Encinitas

The new Grocery Outlet Bargain Market in Encinitas celebrated a grand opening on Feb. 29, ceremoniously snipping not a red ribbon but a long receipt, no doubt filed with huge savings on groceries.

The new market replaced the 99 Cents Only store on El Camino Real, promising to offer families an affordable shopping experience.

Grocery Outlet has been in business for more than 75 years and the Encinitas store is their 470th in the country. Each store is independently owned and operated, and the new local store is owned by Nikki and Stephanie Ames. For the last year, the Ames have been training at the Oceanside store in preparation of opening their dream store in Encinitas, all while raising their eight children.

“We are incredibly happy to be here. We absolutely love everything about the small town feeling with a big heart of Encinitas,” said Stephanie. “We’re happy to be able to provide something that’s been a real big struggle for a lot of communities, whether it be here or anywhere else—everyone’s looking for a bargain….We can’t wait to get to know you all personally inside of the store. There will not be a day that we’re not here.”

“It’s a dream come true, thank you for supporting all of us,” said Nikki.

At the opening, the owners were surrounded by their kids, staff and family, including Stephanie’s father who moved to Encinitas from Indiana to help them. There was also a larger than normal crowd for a standard ribbon cutting, which included Bob and Kimberlie Jackson, operators from Lebanon, Penn., who introduced the Ames couple to Grocery Outlet and recommended them as owners, in addition to local Grocery Market operators and staff that taught them to “stack it high and fill it full.”

The first shoppers were excited to shop the deals, some navigating around the ceremony in front of the store with a balloon archway and local dignitaries including representatives from State Senator Catherine Blakespear and Assemblymember Tasha Boerner’s offices and Encinitas Mayor Tony Kranz.

“It is really exciting to see all the hustle and bustle here and the activity at this store, the wonderful bargains and the good food that’s in there,” said Kranz, who welcomed Nikki and Stephanie to the community and presented them with a certificate of recognition.

Stephanie said that a big part of Grocery Outlet is partnering with the community and as a parent of eight, she has made a connection with the Encinitas Educational Foundation. As part of the opening, they presented a $1,000 donation to the foundation which provides enrichment opportunities to Encinitas Union School District students such as art, science, coding and, most recently, bringing back music including EnSINGnitas, a new choir program at nine district schools.

Accepting the check, the foundation’s treasurer Val Wallace shared that the funds would be used in their efforts to relaunch band and choir programs.

Grocery Outlet offers a full range of products including fresh produce, meat, deli, and dairy, along with a wide assortment of natural and organic choices. Grocery Outlet also carries a large selection of beer and wine, health and beauty care, as well as seasonal items. Grocery Outlet is located at 145 S. El Camino Real, Encinitas. Phone: (760) 487-7725

This story originally appeared in Encinitas Advocate .