Treasure Huntin’

Tucked away in the back of an old strip mall on the corner of Del Monte Blvd. and Reservation Road in Marina, resides the town’s largest example of an “extreme-value retailer:” the Grocery Outlet.

Grocery Outlet resembles any other store with its long rows of shopping carts and bins of strawberries, potatoes, and red bell peppers stacked in orderly fashion just outside its doors. The similarities continue as you walk down aisles of canned goods, alcohol, frozen foods, and household items, things that you would typically find at any comparable grocer in Monterey County. What distinguishes the Grocery Outlet from their competitors is the price.

Grocery Outlet routinely sells its products at prices that are up to 60 percent below what you might expect to pay at a more traditional grocer. They can do this because of special contracts they have with various product manufacturers and suppliers throughout the United States. These contracts are usually for items that are considered “excess inventory” or that have experienced some kind of change in labeling. Grocery Outlet is able to purchase them at a significant discount, which they then pass on to the consumer. Items like local and boutique wine, fine chocolates, organic and vegan foods, as well as numerous “free trade” products, are all available at a fraction of the cost you might pay elsewhere.

The drawback to this business model is the irregularity in which certain items may be available. “It’s like a treasure hunt everyday,” is how Stan Lau, owner and operator of the Marina Grocery Outlet describes the constantly changing inventory. “Shoppers really need to pay attention as they walk down the aisles to make sure they don’t miss out on any new items we may be offering.”

A 40-year veteran of the grocery business, Stan, and his wife Sue, purchased the store six years ago. They currently employ 30 people, most of whom are college-aged.

“It’s definitely a business for young people,” explains Stan, “it’s a physically demanding job.” Kristi Lau, Stan’s daughter and store assistant agrees, “You are on your feet all day, stocking shelves and moving boxes; it’s hard work.”

Despite the “hard work”, it is clear that both Stan and Kristi enjoy what they do and like being a part of the Marina community, “Owning a store in a small town like Marina means that you get to know your customers. It’s great, I love it!” Stan saidwith a smile.

Along with providing quality products at reasonable prices the Lau’s actively sponsor numerous youth sports programs in the area, as well as donate money to several important charities, including Medical and Humanitarian Aid for Africa (MAHAFA).

As a token of their commitment to the elderly of Marina, they offer a 10 percent discount to all senior citizens on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. Known as Senior Day, Stan said that it is one of the busiest days of the week. “A lot of senior citizens come in to do their shopping on those two days.”

When asked if they would ever consider implementing a discount for the students of Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB), Stan replied, “It’s a great idea. We will definitely have to do that. We can call it CSUMB Student Day.”