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New Leaf to open market at Vintage Hills Center next year
Old Romley's store vacant for last 15 years

by Jeb Bing

New Leaf Community Markets, an independently owned grocer known for carrying locally grown, organic foods, will open a store at the Vintage Hills Shopping Center in mid-2013, replacing a store once occupied by Romley's Market that has now been empty for 15 years.

The new store will be the anchor of the center, which is located at the intersections of Bernal and Vineyard avenues and Tawny Drive. The center is owned by Sim & Yoon LLC.

The 19,000-square-foot store will be the Santa Cruz-based grocer's eighth market with the others located in Santa Cruz County, Half Moon Bay, and most recently in the Evergreen area of San Jose.

The full-service store will include a deli, fresh salad bar, antipasto bar, hot bar and juice bar. Sushi, gourmet cheeses and local wines will also be offered.

"We are very pleased that we will be able to serve the residents of the Pleasanton area and to give back to the community in a variety of meaningful ways, including programs to support nonprofits and classes on health, cooking and nutrition," said Scott Roseman, founder and co-owner of New Leaf Community Markets.

Added co-owner Rex Stewart: "We look forward to establishing relationships with local producers of all kinds, from growers to bakers."

"New Leaf Community Markets will be an excellent addition to the Pleasanton community," said Pamela Ott, Pleasanton's economic development director.

"New Leaf will offer its own unique shopping experience, focused on providing a selection of local and organic food," she said. "And, as the community supports New Leaf, in turn New Leaf will support the community by contributing over 10% of its profits annually to local nonprofit groups."

Pleasanton Councilman Jerry Thorne, a candidate for mayor in the current municipal election, agreed.

"I am very pleased that we will finally be able to provide this neighborhood with a quality market," he said. "New Leaf will be a great addition to the neighborhood and our entire community."

Councilwoman Cheryl Cook-Kallio, also a candidate for mayor, said, "I am delighted to see this community-minded, neighborhood market locate in Pleasanton. New Leaf Community Markets has an emphasis on organics and sustainability. It is an excellent fit for the center and the nearby neighborhoods."

New Leaf has been receiving an enthusiastic response from other retailers and service business located in the Vintage Hills Center, which at one time seemed destined for the wrecker's ball as proposals to the Pleasanton City Council asked that it be replaced with affordable and market rate high density housing.

"We look forward to New Leaf bringing new energy and shoppers to the center," said Hannah Kim, owner of Vintage Hills Cleaners, a 28-year tenant.

New Leaf Community Markets was first opened in 1985.