Introduction to the Project
Vallarta Supermarkets, a Hispanic modern supermarket chain with over 50 locations throughout California, expanded its reach in November 2023 by opening its first store in Monterey County, located in Salinas. This modern supermarket renovation revitalized a long-vacant Kmart building, which had been closed since 2019, bringing a much-needed improvement to the area.
The project involved a full gut rehabilitation of the 58,382-square-foot, single-story structure, transforming it into a modern supermarket. The renovation included retail sales areas, refrigerated cases for both retail and storage, kitchen facilities, dedicated spaces for manufacturing specialty food products, and a dining area. As part of the chain’s ongoing expansion, this new store will serve as a key community hub in Salinas, continuing Vallarta’s tradition of becoming a cornerstone in communities throughout California.
Overview Facts
- Location: Salinas, CA
- Construction type: Major Alteration
- Project type: Grocery
- Lap pool area: 58,382 sq. ft.
Project Team
- Project team owner: Vallarta
- Design team: AO Architects
Estimated Energy Savings & Incentives
- Efficient Refrigerated Display Cases – $182,300 in Annual Utility Savings
- 92,532 kg Annual CO2e Savings
- $88,000 Estimated Total Incentives
Project Goals
As part of the project’s approval, the city required improvements to refresh the shopping center, including ensuring that the landscaping, parking areas, and lighting were safe, well-maintained, and up to standard. Vallarta Supermarkets enhanced the area by incorporating new landscaping, additional trees, and an updated parking lot into their design, meeting and exceeding the city’s expectations.
In addition to meeting city requirements, Vallarta established its own project goals, with a strong emphasis on energy and cost savings. Although full electrification was not feasible due to the need for specialized gas-powered kitchen equipment, integrating energy-efficient measures remained a priority. Vallarta continues to focus on reducing electric consumption and waste through various store-wide initiatives.
Client Testimonial
“Partnering with the CEDA program allowed us to explore every sustainability opportunity, leading to significant energy savings. At Vallarta, sustainability is one of our core values, and we’re dedicated to reducing our environmental impact while always keeping our customers top of mind.”
– Steve Goh
Director of Energy and Sustainability
Electrification Measures
The first electrification measure incorporated into the building design was the use of split system air-to-water heat pumps (HPs). These HPs extract outside air and conditions it to either heat or cool the building, providing an energy-efficient solution for temperature control.
Second, the team selected carbon dioxide (CO2)—a ultra-low-global-warming-potential (GWP=1) refrigerant—for the walk-in coolers, freezers, and refrigerated display cases. Due to updated CARB regulations effective in 2022, new retail food refrigeration systems containing over 50 pounds of refrigerant must have a GWP less than 150, which limited Vallarta’s options for their 2023 project. As an early adopter of low-GWP CO 2 refrigerants, Vallarta overcame the challenges of shifting standards to reduce environmental impact and support phasing down of hydrofluorocarbons to reduce emissions.
Lastly, the project features energy-efficient display cases and ice makers. To maximize energy savings, a heat exchanger was installed to reclaim heat from the refrigeration systems— an especially critical measure, as CO 2 refrigeration systems typically generate significant heat waste.
By including energy-efficient measures in their project, Vallarta Supermarkets has demonstrated its commitment to both community growth and environmental responsibility, making this project a model for modern, efficient commercial spaces.
