Local Market Chain Taking Over Lucky’s in Capitola
New Leaf Community Markets Press Release
This month, New Leaf Community Markets is celebrating 35 years of serving the Central Coast across five stores in Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos and Half Moon Bay. Since opening as a co-op on Mission Street back in 1985, New Leaf has been committed to nourishing and sustaining the local food system through community giving, local partnerships, and sustainability programs. To celebrate this next milestone, the organic and natural grocer is offering customer perks throughout October, special products with local producers and is excited to announce further growth in Capitola with a move to a larger location, expected to be complete by the end of 2024.
The first grocer in California to achieve B Corporation certification, New Leaf gives 10 percent of its after-tax profits back to the local community, with donations and sponsorships totaling over $2 million. Since 1993, New Leaf customers have saved nearly 15,000 trees and over 10 million bags through New Leaf’s Envirotoken program, which started as a suggestion from a long-time customer.
“Celebrating 35 years in business is a pretty remarkable occasion, and we are grateful for our community and staff that have made New Leaf Community Markets a staple on the Central Coast. As we continue to create a positive impact through our community work and grow in the coming years while moving forward stronger than ever,” said Forrest Gonsiewski, vice president, New Leaf Community Markets.
New Leaf is celebrating 35 years by thanking the community with special perks for staff and customers enrolled in Neighbor Rewards to use on their next shopping trip, as well as $5 off online delivery and pickup orders of $35 or more with code HAPPY35YEARS. Through Neighbor Rewards Gift It!, customers can give back to the community by gifting their $5 rewards in dollar increments to local non-profits; Half Moon Bay neighbors can select PUENTE, a non-profit right in Pescadero, while Santa Cruz residents can gift their rewards to Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County.
In celebration of the landmark, New Leaf has partnered with several local producers to create products in the newly expanded New Leaf & Friends program. A unique take on a private label, New Leaf & Friends products are created in true collaboration with local makers, representing partnerships built over time and reflecting the values of the regional food economy.
One of the latest New Leaf & Friends partnerships is with Cat & Cloud Coffee, based in Santa Cruz, CA, producing three new one-pound bags of coffee, with names inspired by the local community — like “Coastal Fog,” a full-bodied brew with notes of dark chocolate and s’mores to start the morning off right.
“At Cat & Cloud we’re on a mission to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences, so we were thrilled when New Leaf approached us to collaborate on coffee for their New Leaf & Friends program. We’re honored to be aligned with such a rad local institution that has served its community so well for 35 years.” said Alex Marse, employee owner and head of Cat & Cloud’s Partner Program.
New Leaf Community Markets expects to take over the Lucky location in Capitola by 2024.
Looking forward to the future growth of the brand in the Santa Cruz community over the next 35 years, New Leaf is excited to announce plans to relocate the Capitola store to a new location in the community, expected in 2024. Moving to a larger building and joining the King’s Plaza Shopping Center on the corner of 41st and Capitola Road will enable New Leaf to serve more customers, create new jobs in the community and allow for the development and growth of current Capitola staff as they continue in their roles. With a broader store footprint, an expanded product mix and more donations to neighborhood non-profits, New Leaf is excited to continue serving as a cornerstone of the Capitola community.
“My family and I are thrilled to welcome New Leaf to King’s Plaza Shopping Center and we are confident that New Leaf’s new store will offer an unparalleled customer experience that will set the bar for quality, community-oriented, sustainable grocery stores in our region.” said Benjamin Ow of Ow Family Properties.
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To learn more about New Leaf’s commitment to nourish and sustain our communities, visit www.newleaf.com/different.
Editor’s Note: Benjamin Ow added, “New Leaf will be taking over the current Lucky space when Lucky’s lease expires in 2023. New Leaf has been proactively pursuing the space for many years because expanding into the larger Lucky space (about 60% larger than its current space) will allow New Leaf to create a larger, flagship, state-of-the-art store that offers an unparalleled customer experience in an even more convenient and accessible location. My family and I enjoy successful and long-standing relationships with New Leaf and its founders and in working with New Leaf leadership over many years, we were convinced that New Leaf would be an incredible addition to King’s Plaza Shopping Center; we finalized a lease with New Leaf well in advance of Lucky’s lease expiration to give New Leaf ample time to finalize its store plans and secure its building permits. We greatly look forward to welcoming New Leaf to King’s Plaza Shopping Center.”