Amazon Fresh Debuts In Mission Viejo, Draws Long Lines

MISSION VIEJO, CA — Hundreds of Mission Viejo residents lined up in anticipation of the new Amazon Fresh grocery store early Thursday morning in search of fair-priced groceries, discount deals, giveaway goodies and a unique "Just Walk Out" shopping experience.

Mission Viejo resident Adam Margolis arrived at the supermarket on Crown Valley Parkway 15 minutes before the store opened.

Margolis told Patch that the line wrapped all the way around the side of the building, and that the store's parking lot was so full that his mother had to drop him off at the end of the line before leaving to find street parking.

Despite the intimidating line, Margolis said that once the grocery store opened, he was inside relatively quickly and created an Amazon account in order to enjoy the store's "Just Walk Out" method of shopping.

At the opening day event, Amazon Fresh employees passed out reusable tote bags, snacks, drinks, coffee cups and bags of cookies to guests walking into the store.

The first 250 guests to walk into the store were automatically rewarded with Amazon gift cards, and Margolis was the 127th person to enter the store. He received a gift card valued at $25, and his mother received a $10 gift card.

Amazon Fresh is an online and brick-and-mortar grocery store that allows customers to check out items through an app and "Just Walk Out" technology that syncs with the app to facilitate checkout. The chain has expanded rapidly throughout California since it opened its first location in Woodland Hills in September 2020.

It now operates over 20 locations around the state, including in Irvine and Fullerton. In addition to Mission Viejo, the chain plans to open a location in Huntington Beach in the near future.

Amazon Fresh Mission Viejo is hosting a number of events throughout this weekend, including samples, giveaways and more, according to an Amazon Fresh spokesperson. The grocery store is offering special deals on its Amazon-exclusive Aplenty products, as well as .49 cent yellow honey mangos and more.

Residents can visit Amazon Fresh Mission Viejo from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 26940 Crown Valley Pkwy. Amazon Fresh accepts cash, SNAP/EBT, credit or debit card, or customers can use the In-Store QR code in the Amazon app.

Customers shopping with "Just Walk Out" technology can use the In-Store QR code in the Amazon app to shop, according to the store's website.