A major blow for the new Bridgeport Marketplace:
The Bristol Farms market in Valencia’s Bridgeport Marketplace is set to close Feb. 25, a store official confirmed Wednesday.
The high-end grocer opened in November 2008 as the anchor tenant for the shopping center.
Questions about the closure of the store, which employs roughly 100 people, were referred to Bristol Farms’ corporate officials, who could not be reached Wednesday afternoon.
I wanted to like Bristol Farms. They had a good selection of foods, tools and utilities. But they weren’t that different than say, Pavilions, and they were more expensive. Whole Foods is expensive too, but some people value its selection of organic and local products.
I wonder if the closure is a result of high prices in this bad economy, location, competition or some combination thereof?
The anchor that wasn’t:
Despite my appreciation for their support and push for the community events (July 4 and the like), it wasn’t enough to get me to shop there.
I think that center has some great places in it that’ll be just fine sans BF. A north Valencian can only dream about getting Sprouts to change their mind about locales….
Bristol Farms opened at the absolute worst possible time and targeted a narrow niche which was already being served. No one NEEDED a Bristol Farms–the target market already had Trader Joes, Whole Foods and even Pavillions.
It might’ve had a chance in a booming economy, but the writing was on the wall from the day it opened.
I’m not surprised but I am disappointed. I haven’t seen anything happening at the Sprouts location either. Whole Foods handles my needs, but they are right around the corner. I’ve only been to Bristol farms once and after seeing their prices on regular grocery items, I called it quits. Sad, to see another empty building.
While my instincts have told me there was now way for this store to survive, I’m still a bit sad to see it go. That being said, even though it is the closest market to my home I rarely shopped there, and when I did it was for the good quality meats around the holidays. It would have been foolish to pay the premium for regular groceries every week. I wonder if Bristol Farms is hurting in areas like Pasadena as well, or if this was mostly due to the bad timing of opening during a recession.
It was just plain poor timing on when it opened. They took too long to finish the place and the economy tanked while it was being finished. I have mentioned this before but it needed to be a niche market and focus on items not available at the local Ralphs or Vons. Why shop for every day items there when you can save $ by just driving a few minutes more. The writing was on the wall when they reduced operating hours just a few weeks after it had opened. A clerk had mentioned that the head office was extremely disappointed, VERY DISAPPOINTED, on the numbers coming in after the first few weeks. I hope for a quality store that would replace Bristol Farms, and it happens quickly. A major tenant can have a trickle down affect on the neighboring stores. BTW, I go to the South Pasadena and Westlake stores and they are always busy.
Jim,
Excellent points.
Sort of related:
I heard on the radio this morning about how mobile internet access is going to hurt Best Buy because more people will know whether or not Best Buy is REALLY the best buy before pulling the trigger. They wouldn’t have to go home and logon to Amazon anymore.
Well, DUH!
In other words, there are fewer people that value anything except price.
And, perhaps more relevant, bling is no longer chic. Turn in the Range Rover at the end of the lease and perp your hybrid Escape, parked in the Trader Joe’s lot.
OK, rant off.
Dear BF
I loved your butcher shop and all the specialty goods (i.e.orange flower water) in your baking isles. Your sashimi grade fish is unmatched in SCV grocery stores too. I am remiss I didn’t to go to your wine-tasting Thursday nights which no-other grocery store has in this valley. Instead of leaving the SCV please relocate in South Newhall. If you do that I will visit every other day, I promise.
BFF
-townbeet
Rumor is floating around that a 99 cents store will go into the spot.
They should put in a Vallarta. One of the best prepared foods sections in Santa Clarita IMHO.
My $0.02 about Bristol Farms closing is that it is almost entirely due to their over-pricing of the same products you can get just down the road in literally any direction. I’ve spent money in a variety of the shops and restaurants surrounding Bristol Farms, but when I need groceries I go the other direction to Ralph’s or Pavilions.
I highly doubt that a 99 cents store will go there. Look at all other 99 cents store locations and they’re often located in older shopping centers where rent is a lot cheaper.
I dont think that 99 cents store would be able to operate profitably at the Bristol Farms location. This shopping center probably has one of the highest per square foot rental rates. Plus I dont think the demographics of the surrounding area fit into 99 cents store target group.
The rumor is probably to get people agitated in the surrounding area and there is most likely no truth to it.
Linda Smith,
That is a joke;-)
I too was a fan of the back counter featuring the best selection of fish, beef, pork and poultry that I’ve found in the valley thus far.
Also, for a guy who likes cheese, and doesn’t want to schlep down to Studio City, they had some of the best cheeses I’ve seen north of the 101.
Its not that I cannot get it elsewhere, and not that I cannot get it less expensive elsewhere. As a Via Princessan, it wasn’t even that close. But it was nice that we had it when we needed it.
A few weeks ago on my way home I was craving steak au pauvre… and instantly, pushed me up the 5 instead of the 14 to head to Bristol Farms for one of their amazing cuts of NY Strip.
There really isn’t the money here that people like to think. And what makes it worse is that now you can’t use home equity to buy stuff you can’t afford. So this isn’t a big surprise. But when the cross valley connector opens the traffic on that road will go up and that spot will be good for a cheaper supermarket. In this economy Valencia needs a Stater Brothers.
Agree with SS above, I’d be willing to bet that 95% of people in the SCV couldn’t have purchased anything of value without home equity.
Well I am saddened as I loved their Spinish Salad, And My crown royal prices. I guess I have to go to the 1 by my office now. Hopefully it won’t close.
Maybe if they didn’t close at 9 they would have grabbed a select group. I got there 1 day at 8:50 and was turned away even though I knew exactly what I wanted.
Valencia Mike – The price of Crown Royal at BF was way over price the last time I looked
Valencia Mike – they used to close later, but that changed within weeks of the store opening. The writing was on the wall within a few weeks of the store opening that it was going to be a big failure.
I think a Stater Bros might due well. Let us see who they get to fill that space.
Yeah I got my Crown royal there as well I didn’t think the price was that high like Navigator stated. I like the selection they have. They will be missed. Valencia Mike I am with you Stater brothers would be a choice I would shop at if they opened one in that location.
At BF the price was $21, if I remember correctly, when I was buying it at CVS for $17
Crown royal Cask No 16 was $60 @ BF and $59.99 @ Bev Mo. CVS doesn’t carry Cask No16
I have not been to Bev Mo but I know I paid close to $70 at a Gelsons and I paid a little over $60 @ BF
Don’t you think that the location is too small for a Stater Bros? It probably would have been perfect for a Sprouts location, and I bet they would have jumped on it and not locate in the old Meryn’s location. Wonder if Sprouts will now back out of the commitmet for that location and relocate to the vacating BF spot. Construction costs would be minimal since it is a market, as compared to the Meryvn’s spot.
I personally have never been to a Sprouts, but after looking at their Website I think you have a good point. I said stater Bros because it was the 1 store we do not have close by.
VM – Ah ha! The good stuff. I don’t purchase that very often so I’m used to pricing the working man’s CR. I save the CN16 and 21 year old McCallum for those special occasions.
21 year old McCallum is definitely a special occasion as I have only had it 1 or twice and usually at some one elses dime as $200+ for a bottle is a bit more then I can get passed my wife.
21 year old McCallan I just looked it up and saw a $249 to $300 price tag!! And Crown Roysl XR is $160 to $200 both kind of high. Does BF even carry that? Wait don’t tell me I might be tempted by the 30% off BF is having. Ill stick to the Reserve and Cask No 16.
Good news found a bottle for $63
30% off???!!!! I’m stopping on my way by tonite!
Maybe Henry’s will move into town.
I received this e-mail today:
As you know, Bristol Farms Valencia is closing. This is sad news not only for the people that love the specialty items they carry, but for our city. A store like Bristol Farms should have thrived here and now other businesses that might have considered coming to our lovely town may be hesitant to do so. I was in the store yesterday and the manager told me that emails may influence corporate to keep the store open. So if you would like to take a minute to encourage (or beg) them to keep the store open, here is the link.
corporateinfo@bristolfarms.com
Every little bit helps!!!
Dear Bristol Farms,
We hear you are closing the store in Valencia, CA.
We’re sorry to see you go, especially since you have shown a solid commitment to this community in the short time you’ve been here.
Many of us north Valencians lease our BMWs, charge our Visas like bulls, and the Bank of HELOC recently shut its doors. Westridge is now but a dream deferred, so we’re here for the long haul. Provided you drastically change your business model and begin pricing your products in line with your competitors, we pledge to shop at your store faithfully.
We might even consider using pedal-powered transport to your door (with sufficient trailered stowage, natch) as the Trader Joe’s a couple miles away is a headache and a half.
Signed,
Mr. and Mrs. NickelDime
ps If you end up keeping with your decision to leave, can you forward this to corporateinfo@sprouts.com?
I love it!
Stater Bros. is not high end enough
for Bridgeport Marketplace.
This town is going down the tubes.
People act like they are wealthy
here when they are not!
That’s why we don’t have a Nordstrom.
Carrie:
You seemed to talk yourself out of a reason to put a high end grocer in that space!
rumor going around (would make sense) that it’s going to become a conventional Albertson’s (same company).
mike,
Two within a couple miles of each other?
I s’pose it could work…
I would assume, I’m sorry to say, that it would mean closing the other one.
Mike – I doubt Albertsons will close either of the locations. They have basically a lock for Decoro and Bouquet residents.
I dont know what all the negative reviews about BF is…I went there every Sunday like clock work…the service while really slow…was genuinely nice. I have yet to meet a mean person who worked there…always helpful and friendly..I go to the farmers market in the COC parking lot then head over there for the remainder of items…I only bought meat and some produce there but went to albertsons for the every day items. I agree they should lower their prices on the basic stuff…but BF will seriously be missed
and Richard the meat guy, We will miss you!
Melissa – speaking personally, the negative reviews for BF are not for the store itself but for the prices it charged on normal everyday items that can be found at other grocery stores. The items that they carried that were specific for BF were outstanding.
While working out across the street, I would visit Bristol Farms for a snack to purchase water. I thought often of buying my groceries there but the first time I went to buy a box of cereal, I left. Who pays $6 for a box of cereal? Sorry, it’s out of my budget.
Bristol Farms Valencia did lower their prices. In FACT they were lower then some of their other stores. The Valencia branch was not given enough time to get going and be able to stay. More than 50 employees lost their jobs. 50+!!!!!!!!
I also heard of .99 store going in it’s place.
People here will probably shop their.
They NEVER GAVE BF A CHANCE!
Bridgeport Marketplace owners are being told wonderful (albeit pie-in-the-sky) stuff like Trader Joe’s by the property owner/manager.
Why would Trader Joe’s pick up and move about a mile up the street? Because the parking spaces are small on Bouquet? TJ’s locations are notorious for tight parking.
Just one thing will I miss about BF. Broguiere’s Egg Nog at Christmas time. I looked all over Santa Clarita this last holiday season and they are the only ones who carried it. Pavilions caries it in most of their stores, but not out here. Next holiday season, I may have to take a bit of a drive to get the best egg nog there is.