Vallarta to open store in South Phoenix food desert

Vallarta Supermarkets is planning to open its first Phoenix location in South Phoenix, a move that officials say will help address a food desert in the South Mountain Village area. The project is described as an adaptive reuse of a vacant space into a full‑service grocery store, according to a report on the municipal website. Vice Mayor Kesha Hodge Washington called the store a major step toward reducing food insecurity for thousands of families.

A grocery store near a busy light rail stop

The supermarket will be located near the intersection of Central Avenue and Baseline Road, close to a light rail station that opened in June 2025. That station has already become the second‑busiest in Phoenix and the third‑busiest in the entire Valley Metro system, the report said. The store is expected to open in early 2027.

Washington noted that being able to stop for fresh groceries on the way home without needing a car makes a real difference for families. She described the project as a tangible solution that works with daily life. Cesar Gonzalez, chief operating officer of Vallarta Supermarkets, said the company was aware the site serves an area long recognized as a food desert during its site selection process.

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The fact that this location sits on a transit line is not incidental. For residents who rely on light rail, the convenience of grabbing groceries on the commute home could shift shopping habits in a neighborhood where fresh food options have been scarce. Planners hope the store becomes more than just another supermarket.

Part of a broader effort to improve food access

The Phoenix City Council recently approved the 2030 Food Action Plan, which aims to support access to fresh and healthy food in areas where food deserts exist. The plan notes that such deserts often result from social inequities and historical disinvestment. Mayor Kate Gallego thanked the vice mayor for her work and said the supermarket aligns with the city’s food‑access goals.

Vallarra Supermarkets was founded in 1985 and is based in Santa Clarita, California. It currently operates 64 stores in California and one in Glendale, Arizona. The chain has identified Arizona as a key growth market and plans to open 10 to 15 locations across the Phoenix metro area over the next decade.

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The South Phoenix store will offer several specialty departments. These include an in‑store food court called La Cocina that serves ready‑to‑eat Latino dishes, a full‑service seafood counter with a ceviche bar, a traditional meat counter with custom cuts and pre‑marinated meats, house‑made tortillas prepared daily, a made‑to‑order juice bar, and an in‑store bakery with a coffee bar. Gonzalez said the company is excited to partner with the city and local residents to deliver a grocery experience that expands access to fresh, healthy food while creating jobs and opportunities for the community.

Local leaders expect the new market to stimulate economic activity in South Phoenix.