Carson city officials, community leaders and residents gather for the ribbon-cutting celebration marking the grand opening of the city’s first Sprouts Farmers Market on Sept. 18. / Photo courtesy of the City of Carson.
Carson residents have a new grocery option following the opening of the city’s first Sprouts Farmers Market, marking another step in the revitalization of a longtime North Carson shopping center.
The new store officially opened Friday, Sept. 18, at 619 E. University Drive, near the intersection of University Drive and Avalon Boulevard. A crowd of residents arrived early for a 6:45 a.m. ribbon-cutting, with shoppers lining up before the doors opened at 7 a.m.
Located directly across from Ambler Avenue Elementary School, the store brings fresh, organic and natural food options within walking distance of nearby neighborhoods, including University Heights, while also serving the California State University, Dominguez Hills community.
“Sprouts opening is more than a grocery store—it’s about creating jobs for Carson,” said Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes. “Residents asked and we heard you: ‘When are we going to get a grocery store in North Carson?’ It’s here.”
The opening also puts a major storefront back into use at Carson Plaza. The space had been vacant following the 2024 closure of 99 Cents Only Stores, leaving a significant opening in the shopping center. The arrival of Sprouts brings a national retailer into the space while adding momentum to broader efforts to attract commercial investment to the area.
The city described the opening as a milestone in its efforts to expand access to nutritious food while pursuing equitable economic development across Carson neighborhoods.
Sprouts specializes in fresh produce, natural and organic foods, meat and seafood, prepared foods, bulk products, vitamins and supplements and products designed for a variety of dietary needs. The Carson location also features an in-store bakery with items prepared daily and ready-to-eat and prepared meals for shoppers seeking convenient meal options.
The company has said the Carson store will source produce from regional growers, including Family Tree Farms and Five Crowns Farming. Through Sprouts’ Food Rescue program, edible food that is no longer suitable for sale will be donated to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
The opening also brought new employment opportunities to Carson. State Sen. Laura Richardson highlighted both the nutritional and economic impact of the store when Sprouts announced the opening.
“The residents of Carson will no doubt benefit from having fresh fruits and vegetables, unique food items, and new job opportunities through this collaboration between the city and Sprouts,” Richardson said. “This will bring nutritional options, value, and economic growth to the community.”
Opening weekend included product sampling, giveaways and special promotions for shoppers. According to the city, customer traffic has remained strong since opening morning, with residents showing enthusiasm for the new addition.
For Carson Plaza and the surrounding North Carson community, the opening represents more than the arrival of another retailer. It returns a major storefront to active use, expands access to fresh food and brings new jobs and investment to a part of the city where residents had long requested additional grocery options.
The Carson Sprouts Farmers Market is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
