Grocery store location in Santa Fe with 41-year history to close Arlan’s Market announced Friday (5/30/2025) that it plans to close its Santa Fe location soon, ending 41 years of having a grocery store at that location on State Highway 6. No reason was given for the closure decision. Employees at the store said a meeting with store ownership was scheduled for Saturday. The pending closure was pretty evident though as shelves in the produce, dairy, meat and other sections were empty. The 33,000 square-foot grocery store opened as Big Chief in 1984, which was sold to then Galveston-based Arlan’s in 2011. In 2023, Arlan’s was sold to Rafael Ortega, the owner of La Michoacana Meat Market stores. “I’ve been coming to Arlan’s on and off for the past 20 years,” said local Ralph Rifon. “My stepdaughter used to work here when it was Big Chief, and that is when I started to come here.” Arlan’s announcement comes not long after Kroger announced it would close its Dickinson store after 45 years at its I-45 and FM 517 location. That store closes June 10 and this weekend was holding a 50% off sale in advance of its closure in a few weeks. Unlike Dickinson, however, Santa Fe has major grocer H-E-B in town, and Walmart in La Marque serves customers on the city’s east side. The Bay Colony H-E-B in League City is also close to Santa Fe West Side residents. Still, after four decades with a grocer in the heart of the city, the closure announcement stings for some. “It makes me feel sad,” said Benjamin Trevino, a loyal customer of the Arlan’s location. “I am not sure why they are closing, but it is convenient to stop here. I love that they have actual people at the registers, and you can actually talk to them.” “I love the customers,” said Santa Fe resident and Arlan’s employee, Sharon Methvin. “We are still going to be a family.” Even the owners of the Santa Fe Junction Shopping Center, where Arlan’s is located, found out by social media that their tenant was closing its doors. “Like many of you, we found out on social media that Arlan’s would be closing,” said owner Courtney Daniels. “Please know we’re working diligently behind the scenes to find the right replacement once their lease is up.”

Posted by i45NOW at 2025-05-31 02:28:29 UTC