Safeway shop opens today at Eskaton

A Safeway gift shop will open in Eskaton Village in Grass Valley today, offering gifts, cards and prescription drug delivery for its residents.

The shop — not a full-fledged Safeway grocery store — is part of a growing trend to make retirement, independent and assisted living facilities “one-stop shops” for residents for more of their lifestyle needs.

As previously reported, the store was planned for Eskaton in Grass Valley after similar shops were opened in other Eskaton facilities, including Roseville.

Called the “Country Store,” it will be staffed by a Safeway worker. Other products will include stamps, snacks, water and adult hygiene products. Prescriptions are delivered daily to the gift shop from the Safeway pharmacy.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will start at 2 p.m., attended by community dignitaries, and an open house will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The community is invited to enjoy the Christmas decorations in the Eskaton lodge and hors d’oeuvres prepared by executive chef Carlos Trujillo, former owner of Tofanelli’s in Grass Valley, marketing director Tracie Jarosh Krause said. Appetizers will include petite beef Wellington and crab cakes served with champagne.

Acclaimed local harpist Sage Po and former Lake Wildwood Little Theatre actress Frances Booth, now an Eskaton resident, will perform.

Eskaton in Grass Valley sits on 42 acres in Grass Valley, near Nevada Union High School. It includes so-called patio homes, independent-living apartments and assisted-living apartments.

Entrance to the complex is from Ridge Road on Via Colina. The shop is in the lodge at 625 Eskaton Circle.

City Editor Trina Kleist contributed to this report. To contact Editor Jeff Pelline, e-mail jpelline@theunion.com or call 477-4235.