The Save Mart Companies, one of the West Coast’s largest regional, full-service grocery chains, opened the doors of its new South Lake Tahoe store, marking the company’s first location in the area. Located at 1020 Al Tahoe Boulevard, the new 38,000-square-foot store celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony alongside elected officials, local dignitaries, and community members – a first step in what Save Mart intends to be a long-term commitment to the Tahoe community.
“South Lake Tahoe is a special place, and we don’t take lightly what it means to earn a place here,” said Bobby McDowell, vice president of operations for Save Mart. “We’re not just opening a store. We’re putting down roots. That means showing up with great food, a team that genuinely cares, and a real investment in this community for the long haul.”
The store is designed to meet the needs of South Lake Tahoe residents and visitors alike. Highlights include the largest selection of in-house cut fruit and vegetables in the market, a full-service butcher block and seafood counter, in-house made sushi, an expanded service deli with grab-and-go options, a bakery with custom cake decorating, and a broad selection of locally sourced produce – including prepared items like fruit parfaits, guacamole, and salsa.
The store also features same-day delivery and curbside pickup, with branded parking spots and clear wayfinding for online order retrieval. Shoppers can maximize their savings by joining Save Mart Rewards – unlocking Member Pricing on a rotating selection of weekly essentials, cash back redeemable at checkout, Shell Fuel Rewards at participating Shell stations, digital coupons, and more. New members receive $5 off a first $25 purchase when they sign up in-store or at savemart.com.
As part of its grand opening celebration, Save Mart made community contributions to organizations serving the South Lake Tahoe area, including Boys & Girls Clubs of Lake Tahoe, Keep Tahoe Blue, Vista Rise Collective, Bread & Broth, Christmas Cheer, and Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, as well as donations to Tahoe Unified School District, South Tahoe Middle School, and Lake Tahoe Community College. In total, the company donated more than $8,500 in gift cards, food products, and support to local schools and nonprofits.
South Lake Tahoe draws more than 15 million visitors annually, with Sacramento – a core Save Mart market – accounting for 30 percent of the visitor base. The store is positioned to serve both year-round residents and the region’s substantial seasonal population.