If you’ve been hoping for better grocery options on San Francisco’s west side, good news: Bi-Rite is coming to the Outer Richmond. The beloved, and yes, expensive, local grocery chain just signed a lease on a 3,481-square-foot space at 6001 California Street, marking its first location west of downtown and another major expansion for the company.

This move is part of an ambitious growth plan that’s been picking up steam over the past couple years. Bi-Rite’s founding partner Sam Mogannam previously hinted at opening “two to three more markets in the Bay Area” before 2030. The chain already operates three locations across San Francisco, including what’s currently their biggest store on Polk Street, which opened less than two years ago at 4,000 square feet.

The Outer Richmond location has some history attached to it. The corner of California and 22nd Avenue used to house 6001 California Market, which closed down two years ago. Before that, the storefront was home to Appel & Dietrich Fine Food Market back in the 1950s, and you can still see their iconic red-and-white neon sign hanging there. The neighborhood’s got serious food credentials too; the block is already home to popular spots like Pearl 6101 and Pizzetta 211.

What makes this expansion particularly interesting is the bigger picture of San Francisco’s grocery landscape right now. While the city dealt with major closures in 2025, including the city’s largest Whole Foods location and a Safeway in the Fillmore, homegrown grocers like Bi-Rite, Luke’s Local, and Gus’s Community Market have been opening new stores instead. It’s a refreshing shift that shows local businesses are stepping up where national chains are pulling out.

Bi-Rite’s known for focusing on local products and fresh produce, which has made it a favorite among San Francisco shoppers even though prices definitely skew toward the premium side. The chain’s expansion strategy seems to be betting that there’s enough demand for quality, locally-sourced groceries across different neighborhoods to justify growing at a time when most retail is contracting.

Other chains are taking notice too. Phoenix-based Sprouts Farmers Market, a natural and organic grocery chain, is planning its first San Francisco location in SoMa, though that’s still years away.

The company hasn’t announced an opening timeline for the Outer Richmond location yet, so West Side residents will have to stay patient for now. But this expansion is definitely a sign that the neighborhood is getting attention from San Francisco’s most forward-thinking grocery retailers.