Save Mart’s newest Manteca location will definitely have an indoor dining experience when it opens in 2026.
And while it is being inspired by success Save Mart has enjoyed at stores in Modesto and Redding that have a casual dining option dubbed the “Tipping Point”, the menu — and even name — is likely to be different.
Save Mart wants to build on the “eatery in a store concept” to dial it in as effectively as possible to meet the desires and potential demand of the growing and dynamic Manteca market area.
As such, the dining option at the new Atherton Drive and South Main location that will have indoor and patio dining is still in the conceptual stage.
The retail in-store
dining option . . .
Save Mart isn’t the first retailer to explore “in store” dining options at locations south of the 120 Bypass, although they are ready to go through with being the first.
Bass Pro Shops, while they were planning their Manteca location that opened in 2008, toyed with the idea of a seafood and steak restaurant as they have at several of their other stores across the country.
The tentative idea of the restaurant that would have expanded the store’s footprint to the south was scrapped when construction plans were drafted.
That said, the site approval plan for Orchard Valley includes a restaurant site on the northeast corner of the small manmade lake across from Bass Pro and near the cinema.
It’s a location with lakeside ambiance on par — or even better — than The Boathouse at River Islands at Lathrop or the former Mallard’s restaurant near the water that was off of March Lane in Stockton.
With a little luck, the new owners of Orchard Valley — Grupe Huber — may be able to secure a restaurant for the lakeside building pad.
The other “restaurant in a store” might still get one.
Living Spaces that opened in 2021 has space set aside for a potential cafe.
They have cafes at 14 of their 40 stores with the newest location in Fresno.
Aldo and Mabel Brocchini
were face of Yosemite & Main
Lori Brocchini Mackey is part of the Brocchini Family Partnership that California Gold Development is teaming up with to build the Marketplace @ Main complex at Atherton and South Main Street.
Her parents bought the land where the Save Mart is being built.
Mackey’s parents, the late Aldo and Mabel Brocchini, moved to Manteca in 1947 when the city had 3,000 residents.
Aldo went to work as a box boy at Turner Hardware that was located where the Bedquarters is today.
Meanwhile, Mabel went to work at the El Rey Theatre.
They eventually launched Hardware Mart before becoming ACE Hardware in the 100 block of East Yosemite Avenue that ended a 51-year run in 2000.
That store was across the street from what is now the El Rey where Mabel worked.
Both the El Rey (which is now The Veranda Events Center) and the building that housed ACE Hardware and then Legacy Furniture, are now property owned by the Veranda principals.
Brocchini eventually opened Accent Carpets where Mike’s Market was around the corner on the 100 block of North Main.
All four concerns — Turner Hardware, ACE Hardware, El Rey Theatre, and Accent Carpets — were all within a quarter of a block of the heart of Manteca at Yosemite and Main.
Brocchini bought farmland as the years went by and raised crops such as watermelons and strawberries.
It was on the design table of Accent Carpets where Brocchini drew up plans for another crop — tract and semi-custom homes.
Among them were Mayors Park, Spring Meadows, and Heritage Ranch to name a few.
Mabel was in charge of the Manteca Chamber of Commerce events committee for 20 plus years. She also was a founding member of the Manteca Historical Society.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
