New Community Store Joins 25th Avenue

A local and “much needed” produce and grocery store is opening its doors this Saturday for an official grand opening in the community shopping district of 25th Avenue.

San Mateo Produce is locally owned by Jesus Ayar, a county resident. Ayar owns a similar business on the Peninsula but wanted to expand and “recently wanted to venture into the realm of organic produce, high quality meats, and international foods,” according to Terrine Baluyut, the event coordinator for the store. 

This new community store will sell natural, organic and international foods, Baluyut said. 

“I think it’s going to be a wonderful addition to that neighborhood,” said Linda Asbury, president and CEO of the San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce.

Asbury said the shopping area of 25th Avenue is only about four or five blocks long but is a great place for families and attracts many local residents.

“There’s residents all around 25th Avenue, so the store is just perfect for the neighborhood,” Asbury said. “We would love for them to join our . It’s such a beautiful store.”

San Mateo Produce, located at 175 West 25th Avenue, was officially open on March 4, last Friday. It will hold its grand opening celebration this Saturday, March 19, from noon to 5 p.m.

Neighborhood Resident Steve Parker said the store is “definitely needed.”

Parker has lived in the neighborhood since 1999 and in the county his whole life. These days, he said, he shops and dines on 25th Avenue regularly. Parker is also executive director of the Economic Development and Growth Enterprise, or EDGE, an initiative of the San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce.

As a resident of the neighborhood, Parker feels the location of this store is perfect.

“Having this store right in the shopping district is pretty cool. … It’s definitely a nice addition, and there’s a history of grocery stores there in the past,” he said.

“This store seems like it’d be a hit because you have a lot of young families who are looking for health-conscious foods,” Parker said.

Ayar declined to comment on the opening of his store.