Old Town Market in Orcutt closing after building sold to new owner

ORCUTT, Calif. - A beloved neighborhood grocery store, Old Town Market in Old Orcutt announced that it will be closing its doors after the building the store calls home was sold recently to a new owner.

The announcement came on Facebook on Saturday and many Orcutt residents have expressed their sadness and anger regarding the loss.

Old Town Market is a family-owned corner grocery store that has been a staple in Orcutt for 16 years. Owners Mark and Wendy Steller bought the grocery store in 2004. Prior to being called Old Town Market, the store was known as Scolari’s Market, a grocery store that served Old Orcutt since 1948.

The store sits on the corner of Clark Avenue and Gray Street in Old Orcutt, just a few blocks from Orcutt Junior High School and Orcutt Academy High School.

The market was best known for its fresh produce and local wines which are available for sample during their wine tasting event every Saturday night from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. They also offer custom-made deli trays and hand-scooped ice cream.

In their announcement, Old Town Market said their building was sold at the end of April. The new owner asked that the store be emptied as soon as possible so that they can pursue different business plans.

However, the market's 90-day eviction notice will not take effect until the county's COVID-19 stay at home order is lifted. Meaning the public has some time to relive memories and say goodbye to the cherished store.

It is unclear what the new property owner's plans are for the Old Town Market building or why the building was sold so suddenly.

For now, the market said the best way the community can help is by visiting the store and stocking up on groceries. They advise purchasing a supply of your favorite wines and snacks, or buying gifts for friends.

The market is also selling store decorations if you would like to take a piece of the Old Town Market home with you to stay.

You can read Old Town Market's full announcement below:

It is with heavy hearts that we share some news about our store, Old Town Market. The building that our store calls home was sold without notice to a new owner at the end of April. This new owner wants the building emptied immediately in hope of pursuing a different business plan. He has served us notice of eviction, which gives us 90 days after the end of the county’s COVID-19 shelter-in-place order to vacate our store.

Needless to say, we are heartbroken about this. Old Town Market is our second home, and we are so, so sad to leave behind 16 years of hard work, good memories, and amazing relationships with our customers and community. We have LOVED serving and working with all of you over the years. We are going to miss barbecuing for you on weekends, putting on gift bazaars and fundraisers, handing out full-sized candy bars on Halloween, being one of the stops on Orcutt’s First Friday walk-abouts, wine and beer tastings, our annual Pinot Party, hosting community meetings, and so much more.

Our store’s impending closure will be a loss not just for us, but for the community. The history of this market goes far beyond the 16 years in which we have had the honor of running it. It was the original Scolari’s Market and has been serving this town as a grocery store since 1948. We know some will be concerned that Old Town Orcutt no longer has its own grocery store; please know that we did everything we could to save it but ultimately were unsuccessful.

We are going to do everything we can to continue to support you during these trying and uncertain times. We hope that in return you can find it in your hearts to support us. Once the mandate to shelter in place has been lifted,we will have 90 days to completely empty the store. All of the food, shelves, cold cases, and fixtures need to be gone. You can help us by continuing to give us your business. Stock up on groceries; buy gifts for your friends and family; create a reserve supply of your favorite wines; pick up some souvenirs. If you or someone you know needs fixtures, cold cases, or shelves, please contact us and spread the word. If there’s a sign or decoration you’ve been eyeing … ask about it. Take a piece of Old Town Market home with you forever!

The Steller Family has LOVED serving all of you and this community. We humbly ask in return that you all now help us as Old Town Market enters its final months. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of the love you’ve given us.

Mark, Wendy, Dan, James, Matt, and Melissa

Old Town Market on Facebook

For more information or to contact Old Town Market, you can visit their website www.oldtownmarket.net or call (805) 937-5619.

The grocery story is open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.