El Tigre stores sold to Anaheim retailer

By: BRADLEY J. FIKES - Staff Writer
New owner: Latino-themed store will be upscale | Friday, February 22, 2008 8:21 PM PST ∞

Move over, Trader Jose's. San Diego County's El Tigre Inc. supermarkets, including three in North County, have been sold to Northgate Gonzalez Markets, the companies announced Friday.

The Anaheim-based company said it plans to transform the supermarkets into more upscale stores that stock traditional Latino foods that also appeal to non-Latinos.

"You can get everything from Cheerios to churros" at Northgate Gonzalez stores, said spokesman Fred Tayco.

Signs in the stores will be in Spanish and in English, signaling their appeal to a general demographic with a Latino focus, Tayco said.

The Northgate Gonzalez stores have a "Whole Foods" feel to them, Tayco said. The San Diego County stores will be remodeled to this upscale Northgate Gonzalez model beginning in March, he said.

The El Tigre stores are in Escondido at 606 N. Escondido Blvd; Fallbrook at 1346 S. Mission Road.; and Vista at 1150 E. Vista Way. The other two stores are in the city of San Diego.

Vista-based El Tigre Inc. is getting out of the retail business, said Kevin Choi, vice-president of the family-owned company.

"We're going to concentrate on our real estate holdings," Choi said.

Employees of the El Tigre stores, numbering about 450, will be retained by Northgate Gonzalez.

"Their benefits are comparable to El Tigre's and so they will be in good hands," Choi said.

Contact staff writer Bradley J. Fikes at (760) 739-6641 or bfikes@nctimes.com. Comment at nctimes.com.

Move over, Trader Jose's.

San Diego County's El Tigre Inc. supermarkets, including three in North County, have been sold to Northgate Gonzalez Markets, the companies said Friday.

The Anaheim-based company says it plans to transform the Latino supermarkets into more upscale stores that stock traditional Hispanic foods but also appeal to non-Latinos.

"You can get everything from Cheerios to churros" at Northgate Gonzalez stores, said spokesman Fred Tayco.

Signs in the stores will be in Spanish and in English, signaling their appeal to a general demographic with a Hispanic focus, Tayco said.

The Northgate Gonzalez stores have a "Whole Foods" feel to them, Tayco said. The San Diego County stores will be remodeled to this upscale Northgate Gonzalez model beginning in March, he said.need to explain what this means.

The El Tigre stores are in Escondido at 606 N. Escondido Blvd; Fallbrook at 1346 S. Mission Road.; and Vista at 1150 E. Vista Way. The other two stores are in the city of San Diego.

Vista-based El Tigre Inc. is getting out of the retail business, said Kevin Choi, vice-president of the family-owned seller.

"We're going to concentrate on our real estate holdings," Choi said.do we know what they are ?

Employees of the El Tigre stores, numbering about 450, will be retained by Northgate Gonzalez.

"Their benefits are comparable to El Tigre's and so they will be in good hands," Choi said.

Contact staff writer Bradley J. Fikes at (760) 739-6641 or bfikes@nctimes.com.

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