{"id":505601,"date":"2026-10-23T18:06:23","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T18:06:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/505601\/"},"modified":"2026-10-23T18:06:23","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T18:06:23","slug":"mercado-gonzalez-officially-opens-la-habra-location-orange-county-register","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/505601\/","title":{"rendered":"Mercado Gonz\u00e1lez officially opens La Habra location \u2013 Orange County Register"},"content":{"rendered":"

Come to complete your grocery list. Stay for the ribeye tacos, tamales, pan dulce on the patio or a beverage at the bar before making your way to check out.<\/p>\n

Mercado Gonz\u00e1lez celebrated its grand opening Wednesday, Oct. 21 in La Habra, transforming a longtime Northgate Gonz\u00e1lez Market on Whittier Boulevard into the family-owned company\u2019s second market-meets-food-hall concept. A touch smaller than its roughly 70,000-square-foot Costa Mesa predecessor, which opened in 2023<\/a>, the new Mercado, inspired by the bazaars of Mexico, measures around 48,500 square feet with a 4,300-square-foot patio. But it still offers plenty of room to wander, eat and extend your daily food errands.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThis has been a community that has always supported us,\u201d said Northgate co-president Oscar Gonz\u00e1lez<\/a>. \u201cWe feel that this community was the right demographic and certainly the right area for us to be able to reinvest and develop a concept that elevates the community and elevates our culture.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two berobed priests from Our Lady of Guadalupe Church offered prayers in English and Spanish at the opening, attended by La Habra Mayor Jos\u00e9 Medrano<\/a>, other elected officials and community leaders. Guests shared a ceremonial \u201cfirst taste\u201d of multi-hued conchas. Northgate also donated more than $20,000 to local schools and community organizations.<\/p>\n

\"Janet<\/p>\n

Janet Guzman stacks bananas during opening day of Mercado Gonz\u00e1lez Northgate Market in La Habra on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A giant La Catrina \u2013 an iconic symbol of D\u00eda de los Muertos \u2013 near the dairy section during opening day of Mercado Gonz\u00e1lez Northgate Market in La Habra on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Jorge<\/p>\n

Jorge Dominguez hangs a sign during opening day of Mercado Gonz\u00e1lez Northgate Market in La Habra on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

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Janet Guzman stacks bananas during opening day of Mercado Gonz\u00e1lez Northgate Market in La Habra on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

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Northgate\u2019s relationship with La Habra dates to 1986 when it opened a traditional grocery store on La Habra Boulevard with little prepared food, according to Oscar Gonz\u00e1lez. Moving to the current location brought a larger prepared-food operation. The Mercado conversion takes that evolution even further with puestos (or food stalls) alongside groceries that longtime customers still need.<\/p>\n

For Sergio Gonz\u00e1lez, director of customer journey and a third-generation member of the family behind the chain, the location serves three overlapping audiences \u2014 specifically, home cooks making traditional Mexican dishes, their U.S.-born children seeking familiar food and non-Hispanic diners eager to explore.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe love the food that our mothers and our grandmothers made,\u201d he said. \u201cEven if maybe we don\u2019t know all the recipes.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Mercado gives that second group access to those flavors with room to make them their own, he said. La Habra also has something Costa Mesa had to comparatively build from scratch \u2014 an established customer base. Many Northgate employees live nearby.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a little more at home here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The liquor section during opening day of Mercado Gonz\u00e1lez Northgate Market in La Habra on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Xavier<\/p>\n

Xavier Alemparte fills bags of fresh chips during opening day of Mercado Gonz\u00e1lez Northgate Market in La Habra on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Opening<\/p>\n

Opening day of Mercado Gonz\u00e1lez Northgate Market in La Habra on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

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The liquor section during opening day of Mercado Gonz\u00e1lez Northgate Market in La Habra on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

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Inside, guests will find much to explore. La Tamaler\u00eda\u2019s patterned tiled counter holds pots of tamales, champurrado and atole beneath an oversized sign. A bright yellow facade announces the tortiller\u00eda, while Pasteler\u00eda La Gonz\u00e1lez boasts an array of dolled-up cakes. Also, pink and yellow conchas share space with Cacahuates, peanut-shaped shortbread cookies filled with sweet peanut butter cream.<\/p>\n

Rows of paletas, stacks of white cheese and enormous sheets of chicharr\u00f3n are also found near fresh ceviche galore at Mariscos El Pariente. Don\u2019t miss the aromatic Rancho Gonzalez section featuring dried beans, chiles, spices and more.<\/p>\n

ALSO READ: How a brother and sister made Santa Ana\u2019s Sonder feel like home<\/a><\/p>\n

Asked to choose three dishes for a first meal there, Oscar Gonz\u00e1lez selected ceviche, ribeye tacos and carnitas. \u201cCeviche for sure,\u201d he said. \u201cNumber one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Entres Nos, the dedicated in-house bar, pairs a pale countertop and wood seating with black metal framing and greenery. Outside, umbrellas shade a seating area near a tiled fountain.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A mural by artist Kris Aguilar hangs over the dairy section during opening day of Mercado Gonz\u00e1lez Northgate Market in La Habra on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Employees<\/p>\n

Employees serve up Aguas Frescas La Delicias during opening day of Mercado Gonz\u00e1lez Northgate Market in La Habra on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Opening<\/p>\n

Opening day of Mercado Gonz\u00e1lez Northgate Market in La Habra on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

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A mural by artist Kris Aguilar hangs over the dairy section during opening day of Mercado Gonz\u00e1lez Northgate Market in La Habra on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

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The artwork also merits a stop of its own. Guadalajara-based artist Claudio Lim\u00f3n<\/a>, who also painted at the Costa Mesa location, created La Habra\u2019s exterior mural, \u201cEl Sol Nuestra Tierra\u201d (or \u201cThe Sun of Our Land\u201d), which features red flowers, hearts and hands spread across white stucco around the arched entrance.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt represents the hard work of the people,\u201d said Lim\u00f3n, as well as \u201cthe identity of Mexico, the happiness, the joy of our culture.\u201d<\/p>\n

Inside, Pico Rivera artist Kris Aguilar drew on the Gonz\u00e1lez family roots and tradition for a mural above the dairy section.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe hummingbird represents the family and their loved ones,\u201d he said, adding that the 13 flowers represent the Gonz\u00e1lez family members. An image of the original La Habra market connects the business\u2019 beginning to the present.<\/p>\n

\"Miguel<\/p>\n

Miguel Gonzalez, center, joins Alicia Valadez Gonzalez, left, Maria Bolanos Gonzalez and Oscar Gonzalez, right, as they take a ceremonial \u201cfirst bite\u201d during opening day of Mercado Gonz\u00e1lez Northgate Market in La Habra on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Estela<\/p>\n

Estela Ortiz Gonzalez, left, Maria Bolanos Gonzalez, center, and Miguel Gonzalez accept a Certificate of Recognition from the City of La Habra during opening day of Mercado Gonz\u00e1lez Northgate Market in La Habra on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Oscar<\/p>\n

Oscar Gonzalez, left, chats with Miguel Gonzalez during opening day of Mercado Gonz\u00e1lez Northgate Market in La Habra on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

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Miguel Gonzalez, center, joins Alicia Valadez Gonzalez, left, Maria Bolanos Gonzalez and Oscar Gonzalez, right, as they take a ceremonial \u201cfirst bite\u201d during opening day of Mercado Gonz\u00e1lez Northgate Market in La Habra on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

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The old La Habra location has since become a gym, according to Sergio Gonz\u00e1lez.<\/p>\n

As for upcoming Mercado Gonz\u00e1lez spots, Oscar revealed that, while he couldn\u2019t yet reveal a date or address, said, \u201cWe\u2019ve identified a location in L.A. near SoFi Stadium.\u201d Sergio described further expansion as a regional effort. The aim, he said, is pride in one\u2019s heritage and a welcome for \u201canybody that just loves food.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.<\/p>\n

Find it: 1305 W. Whittier Blvd., La Habra<\/p>\n

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