Vallarta Supermarkets plans huge grocery store in Van Nuys

Vallarta Supermarkets, which competes in the fiercely competitive Southern California ethnic grocery industry, has filed plans to add another store in Van Nuys to its 50-store chain empire.

Vallarta paid $17.2 million for the former Toys ‘R’ Us property at 16040 West Sherman Way in May 2018, according to public records filed with Los Angeles.

Karen Saitta, who is in charge of real estate and construction for the Sylmar, Calif.-based Vallarta, explained that the actual Toys “R” Us building is about 13,000-square feet smaller than the 53,000 square foot property listed on the plans filed with the city. They’ll be doing a major remodeling of the building, she said.

The store will be similarly designed to its recently opened Topanga Canyon location in Canoga Park, Calif., with design work performed by D L English Design Studio in Pasadena.

Vallarta plans to open the store in 2021, Saitta said.

Vallarta competes in the ethnic supermarket niche in Southern California against rivals such as Anaheim-based Gonzalez Northgate Markets, Santa Fe Springs-based Superior Grocers; 99 Ranch Market, owned by Tawa Supermarket of Buena Park.

Vallarta was founded in 1985, and has plans to open three stores a year through 2030, nearly doubling the size of the chain, according to its website.

Toys “R” Us filed for bankruptcy protection in September 2017, but reemerged earlier this year with a new investment group, and was recently renamed Tru Kids.