Tilton Pacific Construction, Inc. of Rocklin is finishing construction of a new Grocery Outlet store in Sunrise Village. Photo by Thomas J. Sullivan

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Construction of a new Grocery Outlet store in Sunrise Village in Citrus Heights is quickly moving towards a March completion date, according to a senior construction superintendent for Tilton Pacific Construction, Inc., of Rocklin which is overseeing the interior and exterior renovations of the former Rite Aid drug store.

The white stucco front façade of the building is now fully refreshed with new paint and marquee signage announcing Grocery Outlet – Bargain Market above the center front retail entrance is in place.

An Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant sidewalk has been poured in front of the store entrance and fluorescent lighting inside the grocery store’s larger display windows gives a glimpse of the shelving and furnishings installed just inside.

Temporary exterior wire fencing put up by Tilton Pacific Construction remains in front of the active job site until new asphalt paving is poured.

With the exception of the Grocery Outlet store which is actively under construction, Sunrise Village Plaza is owned entirely by San Francisco-based investment company Merlone-Geier. 

Before its closure, the former Rite Aid drug store was the only substantial portion of the 14.8-acre shopping plaza which was not included in a major remodeling project by Merlone-Geier that finished in 2024.

The undisclosed owners of the new Grocery Outlet in Citrus Heights, which will be doing business as Grocery Outlet LLC, previously submitted a design review permit to the city last January for the vacant retail space at 5409 Sunrise Blvd.

Notice of their submission of an application to the state Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) for a license change was also filed at that time.

Last fall, Jeff Huelsman, a senior superintendent for Tilton Pacific Construction, said work crews were just beginning to remove the existing interior ceiling from the former Rite Aid drug store to its bare structure, which was necessary to meet the higher shelving and storage height which is required by Grocery Outlet in its retail stores.

That period of interior demolition and construction is complete, and the installation of a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is now finished.

Once open, the new Grocery Outlet will face competition from an Amazon Fresh at the opposite end of the Sunrise Village shopping plaza and two other retail grocers, including Smart and Final and a Trader Joes located on opposite sides of the corner.

Grocery Outlet typically sells a wide assortment of grocery items including produce, meat, a range of prepared foods and general merchandise items.

According to a project summary description provided to the city of Citrus Heights by Grocery Outlet, alcohol sales are expected to be only four percent of total sales, and its availability will provide the customers a “one-stop shopping experience.”

Within the Sunrise Village, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Pinkberry and Juice Time have also recently opened.

Located between Starbucks and Firehouse Subs on the southern end of Sunrise Village, Juice Time opened to the public on New Year’s Day.

The international juice, ice cream shop and crepe shop which is focused on natural and healthy sweet treat options will officially celebrate its official public grand opening on Saturday, Feb. 7 with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce.