The new Sprouts will occupy the approximately 22,700-square-foot building at 3245 El Cajon Boulevard, a site that for more than two decades served as home to Pancho Villa Farmers Market, one of San Diego's most beloved Latino supermarkets.
The opening represents the final chapter in a transition that has reshaped one of North Park and Normal Heights' most recognizable grocery properties.
Pancho Villa, founded in 2004 by the late Stephen W. Boney, closed permanently in early 2025 following Boney's death at age 81. For years, the market served as the area's only dedicated Latino supermarket, earning a loyal following for its fresh tortillas, expansive carnicería, prepared foods, produce, aguas frescas and hard-to-find Mexican grocery items.
Ironically, the property's next tenant also traces its roots back to the Boney family.
Stephen Boney came from one of San Diego's best-known grocery dynasties. His father, Henry Boney, founded Henry's Farmers Market, while Stephen's brother Stan Boney later co-founded Sprouts Farmers Market in Arizona in 2002. Stephen chose a different path, creating Pancho Villa to serve San Diego's growing Hispanic community years before Latino-focused supermarkets became commonplace throughout the region.
The arrival of Sprouts at the former Pancho Villa building therefore brings the Boney family's grocery legacy full circle, although the transition has prompted mixed emotions among longtime customers who viewed Pancho Villa as more than simply a grocery store.
Following Pancho Villa's closure, several parts of its legacy found new homes elsewhere in San Diego. Windmill Farms Community Market acquired the store's famous tortilla-making equipment and original recipes, along with several longtime tortilla makers, allowing the iconic flour tortillas to continue production. Meanwhile, North Park Produce hired some former Pancho Villa employees and introduced a "Super Mercado" section inspired by the neighborhood favorite.
Now the building itself is beginning a new era.
Sprouts spokesperson Mychael Ramirez confirmed the new location will employ between 80 and 100 full- and part-time team members, with hiring expected to begin soon.
"Sprouts Farmers Market is excited for our new store in San Diego as we bring our wide assortment of fresh, local and better-for-you products to the community," Ramirez said.
Earlier this year, San Diego's Hearing Officer approved a Conditional Use Permit allowing the store to sell beer and wine, adding to Sprouts' signature mix of organic produce, natural foods, specialty grocery items, vitamins, bulk products and prepared meals.
The North Park opening is part of Sprouts' continued national expansion. Headquartered in Phoenix, the company now operates more than 480 stores across 25 states and plans to open more than 40 additional locations during 2026, including several throughout California.
The El Cajon Boulevard store joins existing San Diego-area Sprouts locations in Pacific Beach, La Mesa, Chula Vista and elsewhere, though it will become the company's newest flagship location serving North Park, Normal Heights, City Heights and surrounding neighborhoods.
While many residents remain nostalgic for Pancho Villa and the cultural role it played in the community, October 2 will mark the beginning of a new chapter for one of San Diego's most prominent grocery properties.
Sprouts Farmers Market is scheduled to open on October 2 at 3245 El Cajon Boulevard in San Diego's North Park/Normal Heights neighborhood.
Originally published on August 5, 2026.
