{"id":505057,"date":"2026-10-23T05:12:22","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T05:12:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/505057\/"},"modified":"2026-10-23T05:12:22","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T05:12:22","slug":"new-grocery-outlet-opens-in-oaklands-eastlake-neighborhood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/505057\/","title":{"rendered":"New Grocery Outlet opens in Oakland\u2019s Eastlake neighborhood"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jorge Cossio was all smiles on Thursday as dozens of shoppers walked through the front door of Oakland\u2019s newest grocery store, the Grocery Outlet that\u2019s taken over Walgreens former building<\/a> on E. 18th Street near Lake Merritt.<\/p>\n

Cossio, the shop\u2019s owner, said this is his first store, although he has extensive experience in the retail sector. He called the location \u201cperfect\u201d and said he\u2019s excited to serve the area\u2019s diverse customer base.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis community is deserving of a low-price, high-value market,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Thursday was the store\u2019s grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Cossio said he\u2019s employing 38 staff, and his team intends to pay close attention to brands and trends customers want to see.<\/p>\n

In attendance for the opening was District 2 Councilmember Charlene Wang, whose office helped<\/a> Cossio and Grocery Outlet navigate Oakland\u2019s permits and address safety concerns.<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring this time when the cost of living is rising, this is good for the community,\u201d said Wang.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/Councilmember Charlene Wang said she helped the new Grocery Outlet\u2019s operator navigate the city\u2019s permitting system and address safety concerns. Credit: Darwin BondGraham\/The Oaklandside<\/p>\n

Headquartered in Emeryville, Grocery Outlet has over 500 stores in 16 states, with most in California. The company\u2019s locations are mostly run by independent operators like Cossio. Its business model is based on offering big discounts, including on name-brand products. Stores typically sell everything you\u2019d find in a supermarket, from produce to meat, canned and packaged goods to toiletries and pet food.<\/p>\n

One thing Grocery Outlet doesn\u2019t have is pharmacies. In addition to the building the new Grocery Outlet is located in, Walgreens has closed several other pharmacies<\/a> in Oakland in recent years. This has led to concerns from community members who have to travel farther to get prescriptions filled. Wang said there is a small, locally owned pharmacy nearby in the Metropolitan Bank Building at 250 E. 18th.<\/p>\n

Christine Miller, an Eastlake resident of 30 years, was taking in the inventory and chatting with others. \u201cWe\u2019re excited for it,\u201d she said about another grocery store.<\/p>\n

Also in attendance for the grand opening was District 1 Councilmember Zac Unger. He said his district is expecting a new Grocery Outlet to open next year, also in a former Walgreens, at 5055 Telegraph Ave. in Temescal<\/p>\n

Asked what\u2019s on her typical grocery list, Wang said coffee, \u201cespecially during election season,\u201d and that she was checking out the different cracker brands and hot sauce selection.<\/p>\n

Grocery Outlet is located at 301 E. 18th Street, open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/Oakland\u2019s newest grocery store. Credit: Darwin BondGraham\/The Oaklandside<\/p>\n

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