Vallarta, a new Mexican grocery store, revitalizes an old Kmart on Davis Road in Salinas.

The sound of mariachi music and a display of balloons accompanied the grand opening of Vallarta Supermarket in Salinas last November. The new store brought to life the abandoned Kmart building at Laurel West Shopping Center, which closed in 2019.

“It’s nice to see that shopping center get used again,” says Salinas City Councilmember Andrew Sandoval, noting residents were concerned about the blighted property and potential for illegal activities, including drug use and prostitution. “[Now] the parking lot is so busy. That’s been a big improvement to that area.” (The store is located in District 5 in North Salinas, which Sandoval represents.)

Early last year, the Southern California-based supermarket chain with over 50 stores across the state requested a permit to open a store in Salinas, and it opened before year-end. The building is a little less bright than originally envisioned – Vallarta wanted to paint the exterior freshly white, and instead was directed by the city to go with beige and more muted tones.

But it still has an effect of brightening the area. “As part of the project approval, there are conditions to refresh the shopping center,” says Lisa Brinton, Salinas’ community development director. “We want to make sure that the landscaping and parking areas are maintained and safe with adequate lighting.” Thanks to Vallarta, the Laurel West shopping center now has new landscaping, trees, and an updated parking lot.

Vallarta Supermarkets also plans to open a new store at another former Kmart location in Watsonville. Before opening in Salinas two months ago, the closest location was in the Central Valley.