Gelson’s Market welcomes Manhattan Beach neighbors

Gelson’s Manhattan Beach Market Director Dennis Sullivan returned to the South Bay after a four-decade absence. He attended North High. Photo

Sunday afternoon, five years after approaching the City of Manhattan Beach about opening a Gelson’s Market on the long vacant, former Champion Chevrolet site, Gelson’s Sr. VP of Operations Donna Tyndall finally opened the store’s doors.

The 16,500 sq. ft. upscale market at 8th Street and Sepulveda Boulevard will hold its grand opening Wednesday morning. Sunday’s sneak preview was for neighbors within half a mile of the store who received personal invitations.

Store director Dennis Sullivan, a North Torrance High graduate, said he realized the community was looking forward to the opening from the reception he received handing out samples at the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk last Sunday.

“Today, I think we even won over neighbors who had concerns about the parking and traffic,” he said.

Mindy Schmidt, who lives three blocks west of the store, at 8th Street and Poinsettia, said Sunday that she is still concerned about Gelson’s customers and employees parking in her neighborhood.

Nonetheless, she said, she hopes the store is successful because the city needs the sales tax revenue.

Neighbors were offered a sampling of Gelson’s popular take-home Thanksgiving dinner, along with fresh orange juice, grilled steak, cheeses and what Executive Director of Fresh Foods Paul Kneeland called, “our famous kale salad.” ER

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