Sprouts opens in former south Santa Ana 99 Cents store
The new grocery store replaces a longtime 99 Cents Only Store, bringing a different shopping experience to the Santanero community.
[reporting: Bristol-Warner Village]
Sprouts Farmers Market opened its doors Friday in Santa Ana, bringing a new selection of fresh produce, organic foods and specialty groceries to the Santanero community.
The store welcomed shoppers with a ribbon-cutting ceremony ahead of its 7 AM opening at the Bristol-Warner Village Shopping Center. The first 200 customers received free reusable tote bags as part of the celebration.
Store manager Ryan Smith, who has helped open two other Sprouts locations in Orange County, hopes Santaneros will give the new grocery store a try.
"We're trying to introduce our product and what we offer," Smith said. "I want to connect with the community."
Smith said he envisions the Santa Ana location as a place where residents can find specialty products that may not be readily available at other grocery stores.
A familiar location, a different grocery experience
The grocery store replaces a former 99 Cents Only Store, a longtime neighborhood fixture that closed in 2024 after the discount chain announced it would shut down all its locations amid financial struggles.
Kenya Sanchez, a Santa Ana resident, said curiosity brought her to the new store.
"I usually shop for fruit," she said. "I wanted to see what was up."
For years, the discount retailer offered residents an affordable place to purchase groceries, household essentials and everyday necessities.
Its replacement by Sprouts marks a shift in the shopping experience available to the Santanero community, reflecting one of many changes taking shape along Bristol Street.
