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Company History

2021

March – Roseville, Blue Oaks Blvd. store opens.

2016

Nugget Markets acquires Sonoma Market in Sonoma Valley.

2015

April 29 – Nugget Markets acquires three stores in Marin County: Belvedere-Tiburon (16,000 sq. ft.), Corte Madera (16,000 sq. ft.) and Novato (23,000 sq. ft.).

2014

December – Food 4 Less in Cameron Park is rebranded Fork Lift by Nugget Markets, becoming a hybrid of our two formats, Nugget Markets and Food 4 Less.

2010

Nugget Markets launches Lifestyle Diets program.

2009

Fifth generation of Stille family joins Nugget Markets leadership team. 2008 January – El Dorado Hills store opens (58,920 sq. ft.).

June – Elk Grove store opens (52,762 sq. ft.).

2007

February – Roseville store opens (56,750 sq. ft.).

2004

September – West Sacramento store opens (51,206 sq. ft.).

2003

Nugget Markets incorporates healthy living departments into stores.

July – Cameron Park Food 4 Less store opens (53,165 sq. ft.).

October – Sacramento (Florin) store opens (43,018 sq. ft.).

2002

Nugget Markets launches training program that focuses on quality service and associate development. 2000 June – Covell Blvd., Davis store opens (40,000 sq. ft.).

December – Vacaville store opens (55,722 sq. ft.). Both stores showcase European market-style format, with expanded perishable departments.

1999

First cheese specialist is brought on staff to offer more than 100 hand-selected, hand-cut-and-wrapped cheeses. Current selection count includes more than 400 local, domestic and imported cheeses.

1997

First professional chef is brought on staff to create fresh meal solutions, made onsite daily. July – Woodland Food 4 Less opens (51,053 sq. ft.).

1996

Eric Stille (fourth generation) takes over as CEO/President.

Eric’s leadership transforms Nugget Markets’ traditional format to a European market-style, 10 years prior to the competition. New format offers:

  • Deli with fresh homemade meal solutions, in addition to meats and cheeses.
  • Artisan breads, pastries and desserts made from scratch onsite.
  • Expanded wine selection.
  • Creative merchandising techniques not seen before in the grocery industry.

First wine steward is brought on staff to assist shoppers with their adult beverage selections.

1991

October – Vallejo Food 4 Less store opens (49,889 sq. ft.).

1989

Nugget Markets launches chef-led Asian kitchen.

1987

Nugget Markets introduces creative and unique merchandising techniques in the produce department.

Nugget Markets begins its longstanding partnership with Nor-Cal Produce, a family-owned-and-operated business, which offers an expanded and diverse selection, as well as elevated level of quality and freshness with six-days-a-week delivery.

1981

Current CEO/President, Eric Stille, joins company as buyer (grandson and great grandson of founders). April – Mace Blvd., Davis store opens (23,085 sq. ft.).

1973

Nugget Market in Woodland remodels, moving the main entrance to the north end of the building, increasing its size by 70% and becoming a “super store” with 70 associates. New departments include: deli, hot food takeout, fresh fish and seafood, bakery and floral.

1960

Gene Stille takes over company as President. Under Gene’s leadership, Nugget Market establishes itself as the Every Day Low Price Leader in the region.

Independent grocery stores do 60% of the nation’s food business, and grocery chains only do 40%. During this decade, technology enables efficiencies (patented mechanical case cutters, electronic meat scales, etc.) that allow independents to streamline operations and remain competitive with large national chains.

1959

Nugget Market introduces expanded takeout food in its deli department, placing emphasis on quality and convenience.

1953

Third generation, Gene Stille, joins the company (son and grandson of founders).

1946

Nugget Market moves from its second location (407 Main Street) to it's current location (157 Main Street). The cost of the new store is $50,000. At the time, Nugget Market employs 16 associates and is open six days a week, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

Mack and Will add a smokehouse and meat locker business to the back of the store. Sharp freeze box is used for processing meats, berries and fruits before storage in individual lockers.

1938

Nugget Market moves from its original location (416 Main Street) to 407 Main Street. 

1928

Nugget Market adds a soda fountain counter and meat market, selling prime meat, much of it raised by Mack and Will. Ice cream sodas are just ten cents!

1926

September 28 – Father-son team, William and Mack Stille, open original Nugget Market in Woodland, California. First store is located at 416 Main Street.The store is 18’ × 35’ and costs $1,300 to get started, including fixtures and stock.

Nugget Market acquires its name by way of a contest.The winner is an 8-year-old girl who comes up with
the name because of the gold-painted pillars at the front of the store, which remind her of the California gold rush “nuggets.”

With a passion for produce, Mack travels the western states seeking the freshest high-quality produce available. Nugget Market eventually partners with United Produce (second largest nonprofit co-op wholesale house in the nation) to expand its selection.