By Sara Beth Williams–
The former Rite Aid building near the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Madison Avenue is undergoing a face-lift and other renovation work, with construction crews seen tearing up the asphalt in front of the building in recent weeks.
Mark Vieira with Tilton Pacific Construction confirmed that the building is slated to become a Grocery Outlet and is anticipated to be ready to open in the late spring of 2026. Currently, some sidewalk repair is taking place along Madison Avenue near the building, Vieira said, adding that upcoming planned improvements include ADA upgrades, a new facade for the building, and more.
The landlord for the building did not respond to a request for comment by press time.
Grocery Outlet filed plans to open two locations in the Sacramento area, including the one in Citrus Heights on Sunrise Boulevard, according to the Sacramento Business Journal. Both vacant buildings were previously occupied by Rite Aid, a drugstore chain that announced the closure of multiple locations after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2023.
Leasing documents for the Sunrise Village shopping center do not indicate the name of any future grocer, but the vacant building Grocery Outlet reportedly intends to occupy is no longer listed as “Available.”
The Citrus Heights City Council in September unanimously approved a letter of public convenience and necessity, which was requested by the future Grocery Outlet. The grocer requested a Type 21 alcohol license for the off-sale of beer, wine, and distilled spirits. No public comments were made during the public hearing.
Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa said the corner seems to be the “big grocery store corner,” as multiple grocery stores exist on or near the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Madison Avenue. During a presentation to the City Council, city staff said the census tract is large and encompasses multiple grocers that have off-sale alcohol licenses, including Amazon Fresh, Target, Walmart, and Farmer’s Country Market. Additionally, the Grocery Outlet location sits on the intersection of four other census tracts, the city said, and several other grocery stores exist in those, including Trader Joe’s and Smart & Final.
A map shared by the city shows other businesses with the same off-sale alcohol license within the census tract and within 1,000 feet of the future Grocery Outlet. Aside from the grocery stores already mentioned, the list within the census tract includes Mr. Liquor, United Oil, Joe’s Food & Liquor, and World Market. Within 1,000 feet of Grocery Outlet’s address, the list includes the above, and additionally, Quick Stop and H&S Energy.
Since the Sunrise Village shopping center’s revitalization in 2021 and 2022, the plaza has seen multiple new tenants, including Club Studio Fitness and Amazon Fresh, which opened in the fall of 2024. Pinkberry and Nothing Bundt Cakes have also recently opened this year. A juice shop called Juice Time is expected to open next spring.
The former Rite Aid was the last of three Citrus Heights locations to close, shuttering in November 2023. The Sentinel previously reported the Rite Aid at 6661 Auburn Blvd. closed in May of 2023, and a location at Citrus Town Center closed in 2018.
Grocery Outlet currently has another store in Citrus Heights, located at 6059 Greenback Ln. Grocery Outlets are all locally owned stores, which allows the grocer to deliver “superior customer service,” according to the company’s website.
The new Grocery Outlet will be located at 5409 Sunrise Blvd.
