Council hears plans for new Northgate Gonzalez Market at Clark and Rose; market to include on-site food and instructional tastings

Council members discussed a proposed Northgate Gonzalez Market slated for the Clark and Rose shopping center, a project described as roughly 49,000 square feet after combining two buildings.

City staff and Steve Rawlings, a consultant for Northgate, told the council the store will combine a traditional grocery with on-site food vendors (tamale and tortilla production, ceviche and prepared foods), vendor stalls, and customer seating. Rawlings said the Costa Mesa location is a larger example of the concept and that the Bellflower store will be a smaller version with fresh prepared foods on site.

Planning staff confirmed the conditional-use permit (CUP) including "instructional tasting" was approved by the planning commission, and the city attorney advised that the council could not add additional conditions at the consent stage. Staff described instructional tastings as confined, monitored sampling similar to what retailers such as BevMo or Costco do for product promotion.

Representatives said Northgate is aiming to open by late in the year (targets mentioned ranged from November to end-of-year), and staff reported the project will include significant tenant improvements, parking-lot repairs and new lighting. City officials and speakers described the store as an investment expected to create jobs and revitalize the strip center.

The consent calendar item related to the market was approved along with the rest of the consent agenda; council did not take separate action beyond discussion.