California Grocers Association Invests in Downtown Sacramento Revitilization

SACRAMENTO, CA (4/9/2019) – After extensive renovations, the California Grocers Association officially opened its new, member-owned offices located at 1005 12th Street – in the heart of Sacramento’s burgeoning downtown district – during a gala celebration on Tuesday, April 9.

The Association purchased the 20,544 square three-level historic building in 2015 for $3 million with the vision of creating a new, permanent home for one of California’s most well-established state trade associations, and began renovating in 2018.

“CGA was founded in 1898 and has represented the interests of shopkeepers and grocery business-owners for more than 120 years,” Fong says. “Now our association has a permanent home located just steps from the California State Capitol.”

CGA’s offices occupy the second floor, with additional tenant space, meeting rooms and storage in the lower level. The ground floor features retail outlets. Improvements included seismic and other structural upgrades and installation of an elevator.

“On behalf of the CGA Board of Directors, we are so proud that this day has come and that we have invested our ‘corner of the world’ in resurging downtown Sacramento,” said CGA Chair Kendra Doyel, Ralphs Grocery Co., during the gala Grand Opening. “I’d like to personally thank the Board for its vision and determination in making this happen.”

The original one-story building was built in 1925 and appropriately located in the same block as the historic Sacramento Public Market Building, which opened in 1923. (now the Sheraton Grand).

“It is California to its core — new and old, traditional and nonconformist – all at the same time,” says CGA President and CEO Ron Fong, referring to the architect’s goal to return the building’s Spanish colonial revival exterior and lobby to its original look, and its clean office spaces featuring restored wood beams and exposed original brick. “The space feels fitting as the physical embodiment of a grocery industry that has deep roots, yet also encompasses a market being rapidly transformed by new technologies.”

For practical purposes, the new building represents more than nice aesthetics. It features room for focused and private work, as well as plenty of space for collaboration and team work. And, there are material benefits as well.

Owning a building in the city’s revitalized urban center presents an opportunity to mitigate the risk of ever-increasing rent costs and to reap the proceeds of continued growth down in the future, Fong says.

“Ownership is a sound investment for the Association,” he adds. “It represents the steadfast position of the industry and a base from which CGA can better serve California’s community of grocers.”

The near year-long renovation project was under the direction of Wells Construction, Inc., Roseville, Calif. The project’s architect/designer firm was Williams and Paddon, Roseville, Calif.

CGA’s new office is located at 1005 12th Street, Suite 200, Sacramento, Calif. 95814. The telephone (916-448-3545) and fax (916-448-2793) numbers remain the same. See photos from the grand opening.