Gelson’s Markets will be opening its third San Diego-area store in Pacific Beach located at 730 Turquoise St. on May 26.
The opening will be celebrated throughout the week, commencing with a ribbon cutting at 9 a.m. Gelson’s will also be thanking its first 200 customers with a gift bag valued at $20. In addition, customers will have the opportunity to sample featured merchandise and dishes on opening day and throughout opening week.
“We’re very proud to show off our first fully remodeled San Diego store,” says Rob McDougall, Gelson’s president and CEO. “This little store will really pack a punch, and we’re squeezing the best of Gelson’s products and services into this great location. “With its proximity to La Jolla’s Bird Rock community, Gelson’s Pacific Beach will fill a unique neighborhood need and we aim to continually enhance the shopping choices for residents, as well as visitors,” McDougall said.
Gelson’s Pacific Beach features new salads, hot foods and antipasti bars; a carving cart within the service deli, wellness set and an enhanced juice and cut fruits counter. The Pacific Beach location also features new check stands and a customer service desk to facilitate the company’s signature service offerings.
The supermarket chain, long revered by chefs, celebrities and foodies in Los Angeles and Orange County, purchased three locations in San Diego from Haggen after the chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late 2015.
Pacific Beach is the last to open of the three San Diego Haggen stores purchased by Gelson’s at the end of 2015. It was a high priority for Gelson’s to hire back former Haggen employees, some of whom have worked at the location for many years under previous ownership. The chains’ Del Mar and Carlsbad locations opened earlier this year and remodel plans are being finalized for a 2016 start.
Founded in 1951, Gelson’s currently operates 18 full-service specialty grocery stores in Southern California. Each Gelson’s Market features the full amenities of a traditional supermarket, with the local flavor of a neighborhood market.
