Vons Reopens in Former Goleta Valley Site to the Delight of Many

A newly remodeled Vons grocery store has opened at the Turnpike shopping center in the Goleta Valley. It was formally a Haggen store but before that, it was a Vons.

The supermarket shuffle is taking place at several locations on the south coast and park, it’s a result of a complex merger between Vons, Albertsons, and Safeway and also a failed business plan by Haggen over the last couple of years.

Many customers said they were very happy to see Vons back. They felt it had been a neighborhood store before and will be again.

There are over 600 new items now in the store. Some are from local producers of wine, beer, snacks, produce, and meat products.

Vons will also open on the Santa Barbara Mesa in April at a site that was once an Albertsons store.

The location in the Goleta Valley is flanked by three large residential areas and San Marcos High School. At lunchtime, dozens of students from the school came in to get sandwiches, fried chicken, drinks, and chips.

Some of the employees who were available to return to the store have come back. Many of the customers were seen saying hello to the cashiers and other workers on the floor.

One customer was using the newspaper flyer that just came out as her guide to bargains and opening day discounts.

Molly Presser said she was shopping elsewhere, “and wondering when they were going to open this one, and was sad that I had to go over there and it was over crowded. This feels like home. “

Some vendors were giving out free samples including Lori Volk from Lori’s Lemonade. A long time meat provider, John Shalhoob also spent time with customers talking about his meat products and beef jerky. There were also representatives from Sierra Nevada, Firestone Brewing, and The Bloody Cure (Bloody Mary) Mix.

“Well there’s a lot more new stuff it is great. I love it,”said Lori Minnala.

“It’s been amazing taking our little lemonade stand from Ojai to Vons,” said Volk as she gave out lemonade samples with flavors including lavender and ginger. “It is something I never thought we could do. So by them taking us in and putting us in front of the customer it’s giving us more exposure, and it is great for the customers. “

After the Haggen sell-off last year, communities from Goleta to Carpinteria saw five grocery store buildings go dark while changes were worked out. Nearby communities from San Luis Obispo to Ventura county have also gone through similar store changes forcing customers to look elsewhere for the groceries.

As the reopening plan gets worked out, Albertsons and Smart and Final Extra! will share some of the available properties.

(More information video will be posted here later today )