As we previously reported, Cardenas Market is planning on closing their Concord store at 2250 Monument Blvd.
We’ve now confirmed that not only are they closing after six months in business at that location, but today is their last day.
The following message is from Cardenas Market:
At Cardenas Markets we take great pride in always offering our diverse customers a first-rate shopping experience.
When we select new markets to enter, we strive to deliver that same superior customer experience shoppers have come to expect and deserve.
When Cardenas Markets opened the Concord store, it was our goal to bring customers that same, best-in-class experience. However, it has become clear that providing this kind of service to the City of Concord store is not possible due to circumstances which affected business operations. We will suspend operations and close our store in the City of Concord at the end of today.
Making decisions that impact our team members and their families is never easy. However, Cardenas Markets is committed to working with our team throughout this process and we are engaged in conversations with those affected to explore transitional opportunities to other locations within our family of stores. Our number one goal is to ensure team members are supported during this time in accordance with our values, as well as California law.
While our Concord location will be closed, Cardenas Markets’ other regional stores, including the store in nearby Pittsburg, remain open. Cardenas Markets remains committed to serving the region and its many communities by providing fresh, quality and wholesome foods to the surrounding area.
It is important to stress that this closure is a one-off situation. We are poised for success and our existing growth plans are still in place. As you know, we are preparing for our next Grand Opening in the city of Whittier, CA, and thereafter our 60th store in Montclair.
We appreciate the support of the City of Concord and its residents and are thankful for the opportunity to have served you.
Sorry to see this place closing. I wonder what are the circumstances which affected business operations.
Knowing that area probably shop lifting. Other states there had a huge problem with theft
Cardenas could not find a strong customer base due to people’s particular preferences and shopping habits. There are so many options for groceries in Concord, and they just didn’t have a special draw. T
For people on a budget, Grocery Outlet was cheaper and had about the same variety of stuff, including many of the same Mexican brands. Other people had strong loyalties to the other markets on Monument, such as Las Montanas or Concord Produce. People seeking organic food preferred Safeway or Whole Foods, because Candenas didn’t sell organic produce or products.
Safeway has issues with shoplifting, and other “quality of life” stuff going on. So I don’t think shoplifting at Cardenas was the reason why they closed. It’s also possible KKR, the investment firm that owned the store, was having some problems of it’s own and needed to cut back on operations for some undisclosed reason.
I am sooooo sad!!! I was not only supporting this “new” store but I was also telling people about it too!!! Sorry Concord… This is not only our lose but it is yours too.
I know two people who work ( worked ) there. Shoplifting has absolutely nothing – zip, zero – to do with it. Just a typical reflexive comment from sick of it.
“circumstances which affected business operations”
Too many homeless and tweakers walking out without paying.
I miss the Mafia. They wouldn’t stand for this.
The article stated…” However, it has become clear that providing this kind of service to the City of Concord store is not possible due to circumstances which affected business operations.”
Are they referring to chronic theft? Wow…
I think so. But I don’t think business was all that great either. I only went once and there was hardly anyone in there on a Saturday.
that’s a big investment to walk away from so quickly.
It was 75% off just now.
HA HA I can take whatever I want and you can’t do a thing about it. Hmmm where to go next week
They should’ve paid protection to the Norteños to guard their store. Or at least hire an off-duty cop or something. To pay the money in development costs to set up their branded grocery store and then leave within six months is completely laughable
Your comment is extremely unkind. It is not laughable but the opposite which is heartbreaking. I am very sorry their beautiful store will be no more. Theft is a problem for all California business owners because the laws are not strong enough!!
Well that didn’t last long.
I went to Monument Wines and Spirits today and was surprised to see the Cardenas parking lot packed.
Guess this would explain it.
I only went there twice when I stopped next door to buy a lotto ticket. I was happy with what I bought and the store was very clean, but I do not live it that area. I have seen the parking lot full some of the time and empty at other times. Sorry to see them go, another loss.
Why would the City of Concord or their Police do anything about thefts????
Any other business should think twice before coming to a s a n c t u a r y city.
The people that steal things know that the item is under a certain amount and nothings going to happen to them. And in today’s climate most stores have a policy of not doing anything to the person stealing. It’s more of a liability to step in and do something.
Everything is politics on here. As a shopper and Concord resident that lives near Cardenas, this is my experience…
I went there a number of times, it was clean and impressive but it was never busy like Safeway or Las Mantañas in Park n’ Shop, and on several occasions there were only a few shoppers in the whole store. I preferred the products, fresh baked goods and prices at Las Mantañas so I stopped going to Cardenas. Slow business may have been a factor. I would imagine that is business was BOOMING that even some shoplifting would not have caused them to close so soon, just my opinion.
Perhaps the rampant car break-ins and purse snatchings in the parking lot for Big Lots/Cash & Carry across the street had an effect.
Speaking as a changed career peace officer I will say that they make waaaaaaay more on traffic stops than policing thefts. In general I have a lot of respect for Concord police officers but as far as policing the homeless they would rather mess with young people and legal taxpayers then chase the homeless and tweekers. Ever since police chief Ace left they have gone downhill.
A “changed career peace officer” … what are you talking about?
All of the PD’s in the Bay Area are soft….their chiefs report to liberal politicians who believe in sanctuary cities and social justice.
Former LEO
108RS
Location, location, location.
@Mike – I believe it implies the person is now a law abiding citizen. There may be a good story behind what triggered that change in behavior.
I agree with Fearless Spectator – location matters. I sometimes wonder how well people know a neighborhood or city when they set up shop. The good news is that they spent a bunch of money trying to establish the store that hopefully went into the pockets of people who live in the area.
I went to Cardenas in Pittsburg but when they opened in Conocrd I went there. The store was always clean, people were polite, terrific meat counter, and bakery products were great. Sorry to hear they are closing, tough decision for them I’m sure. What about coming to Martinez? Now I will go back to the Pittsburg store.
Location is key. I literally stumbled on to Cardenas while exiting the Big Lots parking lot months ago and I was so thrilled. But there was no signage, nothing on Monument to indicate the store was even there. I don’t think theft was the problem. There was not enough presence. What a loss to Concord. This really bums me out.
I had shopped there several times since the grand opening. The reason why I do not want to go back there is, I found the employees do not do their job to take care of the products, as I have found molds on the fresh veggies and the meats keeping in the low temperature. And I have complained several times about these major problem but do not see getting any improvement. It seems to show me they do not have the desires to manage the stores and solve the errors. Seeing it closed down is the result of under the consequences.
They insisted the store donate $15000 to Concord when they moved in.
I wonder if they even profited $15 k..after 6 months.