The blighted building that once housed Sears at the north end of the Santa Maria Town Center mall will see a grocery store open in the latter half of 2026, providing another boost for downtown revitalization efforts.

The Santa Maria City Council on Tuesday approved several matters related to the project to convert the building at 226 E. Main St. to house El Super grocery store plus provide space for other businesses.

The council’s action included allowing alcohol sales at the new grocery store for off-site consumption. 

“We truly believe this project will serve as a catalyst as we see the renaissance of our downtown area,” Community Development Director Chenin Dow said.

Empty since early 2020, the former Sears building’s remodel will see about 50,000 square feet on the lower level occupied by El Super. 

“It has a been a source of blight for our community. We’re very excited to see it fill up,” Dow added. 

Since Sears left, corrugated metal sheets have been placed over the former entrances. 

The rest of the 114,000-square-foot, two-story building could house up to six other businesses with a key feature being a terrace to provide space for outdoor dining.

“It’s really nice. I really like the outdoor (terrace),” Mayor Alice Patino said. 

Many developers don’t recognize Santa Maria’s typically windy conditions, but the terrace location on the east side of the building should block most of breeze, Patino added. 

The project, involving The Charles Company and Shasta 2020 LP, previously received blessings of the Downtown Revitalization Committee and the Planning Commission.

“This is long coming,” said Sarah Magana-Withers, who spoke on behalf of the applicant team. 

“I believe that this is a showpiece that you may want to submit for awards in regards to how to revitalize a mall,” she said. “We have so many in Southern California and big box tenants that you’ve really got to — no pun intended — think outside the box and figure out what you do.”

She estimated the El Super market could open by the latter half of 2026.

A representative declined to disclose other possible tenants at this point. 

After seeing efforts to revitalize the downtown core remain stagnant, the city revised its Downtown Santa Maria Specific Plan approximately 10 years ago to spur activity.

Since then, Downtown Fridays has launched in the Town Center West parking lot to provide entertainment and food weekly. 

A four-story mixed-used building now sits at the northwest corner of Main Street and Broadway with six-story buildings planned nearby. 

Another project will convert the empty former Mervyn’s/ Fallas building at Town Center West into loft apartments.