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Grass Valley is losing a car dealership, but it could be gaining two Fresh & Easy grocery stores, The Union has learned.
Co-owner Don Neronde announced Wednesday he is relocating his Ford dealership to Auburn from Grass Valley at year-end, as was widely expected, but he said in an interview that Fresh & Easy is a leading candidate to build a store where Grass Valley Ford has been located, as well as another store in Brunswick Basin.
“It won’t be vacant long,” said Neronde, referring to his dealership at 800 S. Auburn St. in Grass Valley.
The grocery store deal, if it becomes final, could wind up benefiting Grass Valley more than a car dealership, generating more jobs and sales tax receipts. Tax money from the car dealerships has been dwindling amid a sharp slump in sales.
Fresh & Easy, the U.S. arm of U.K. grocery giant Tesco, would be a newcomer to the area. Tesco has invested $2 billion over five years in Fresh & Easy and opened more than 100 stores in the United States.
Rite-Aid also has expressed an interest in the Grass Valley Ford site, as well as local tire dealers and muffler shops.
People from Fresh & Easy are expected to visit the area again later this month, Neronde said. A spokesman for Fresh & Easy said the store’s expansion in Northern California was in the “early stages,” but he pointed out the store had announced plans for 19 sites in the Sacramento region earlier this year.
The city of Grass Valley has met with Neronde and offered to help him find a new user for the site, according to community development director Joe Heckel. Neronde also had told the city about the grocery store’s interest in the site. The land would have to be rezoned for a grocery store, but it wouldn’t be a major problem since it’s now zoned for commercial, Heckel said.
Grass Valley Ford had been expected to relocate to Auburn since earlier this fall, when Maita Ford closed its doors, though Neronde had declined to confirm the deal until now.
The fate of Neronde’s Nissan dealership in Grass Valley remains uncertain. There’s a “50-50 chance” it will go to Auburn. Otherwise, Neronde will drop Nissan’s and focus on Ford.
“It’s an easier way to serve both communities,” Neronde said. “We outgrew this facility 10 years ago.”
Neronde’s Ford dealership, opening on Jan. 2, will offer two shuttles to bring customers from Auburn to the Grass Valley area while their vehicles are being repaired. All 35 workers will be offered jobs in Auburn as well, Neronde said.
The Auburn dealership has 21 lifts for vehicles, compared with 10 lifts in Grass Valley. Neronde’s dealership now will be able to repair motor homes and Caltrans trucks, as well as vehicles, he said.
The Ford dealership’s relocation follows the closure of Weaver Truck and Auto. Weaver’s land is set to be auctioned off on December 15, but Weaver reiterated Wednesday that he plans to reacquire it, if needed, and reopen a dealership in the middle of next year.
At roughly 10,000 square feet, Fresh & Easy markets are smaller than typical supermarkets. Each store has about 20 to 30 people.
The store’s products have no artificial colors or flavors, no added trans fats. They also offers fresh, prepared meats.
Co-owner Don Neronde announced Wednesday he is relocating his Ford dealership to Auburn from Grass Valley at year-end, as was widely expected, but he said in an interview that Fresh & Easy is a leading candidate to build a store where Grass Valley Ford has been located, as well as another store in Brunswick Basin.
“It won’t be vacant long,” said Neronde, referring to his dealership at 800 S. Auburn St. in Grass Valley.
The grocery store deal, if it becomes final, could wind up benefiting Grass Valley more than a car dealership, generating more jobs and sales tax receipts. Tax money from the car dealerships has been dwindling amid a sharp slump in sales.
Fresh & Easy, the U.S. arm of U.K. grocery giant Tesco, would be a newcomer to the area. Tesco has invested $2 billion over five years in Fresh & Easy and opened more than 100 stores in the United States.
Rite-Aid also has expressed an interest in the Grass Valley Ford site, as well as local tire dealers and muffler shops.
People from Fresh & Easy are expected to visit the area again later this month, Neronde said. A spokesman for Fresh & Easy said the store’s expansion in Northern California was in the “early stages,” but he pointed out the store had announced plans for 19 sites in the Sacramento region earlier this year.
The city of Grass Valley has met with Neronde and offered to help him find a new user for the site, according to community development director Joe Heckel. Neronde also had told the city about the grocery store’s interest in the site. The land would have to be rezoned for a grocery store, but it wouldn’t be a major problem since it’s now zoned for commercial, Heckel said.
Grass Valley Ford had been expected to relocate to Auburn since earlier this fall, when Maita Ford closed its doors, though Neronde had declined to confirm the deal until now.
The fate of Neronde’s Nissan dealership in Grass Valley remains uncertain. There’s a “50-50 chance” it will go to Auburn. Otherwise, Neronde will drop Nissan’s and focus on Ford.
“It’s an easier way to serve both communities,” Neronde said. “We outgrew this facility 10 years ago.”
Neronde’s Ford dealership, opening on Jan. 2, will offer two shuttles to bring customers from Auburn to the Grass Valley area while their vehicles are being repaired. All 35 workers will be offered jobs in Auburn as well, Neronde said.
The Auburn dealership has 21 lifts for vehicles, compared with 10 lifts in Grass Valley. Neronde’s dealership now will be able to repair motor homes and Caltrans trucks, as well as vehicles, he said.
The Ford dealership’s relocation follows the closure of Weaver Truck and Auto. Weaver’s land is set to be auctioned off on December 15, but Weaver reiterated Wednesday that he plans to reacquire it, if needed, and reopen a dealership in the middle of next year.
At roughly 10,000 square feet, Fresh & Easy markets are smaller than typical supermarkets. Each store has about 20 to 30 people.
The store’s products have no artificial colors or flavors, no added trans fats. They also offers fresh, prepared meats.
