Santa Ana: Sprouts opens in former 99 Cents Only location

The vacant storefront at the corner of Bristol and Warner Streets in Santa Ana changed hands quickly. On October 23, 2026, Sprouts Farmers Market opened its doors to the public. The new grocery store occupies the space previously held by 99 Cents Only Stores. The retailer closed its location in 2024 after announcing nationwide closures.

The transition from vacancy to a new business took less than two years. City officials stated that the WORK Center team stepped in during the 2024 closure. They used a Rapid Response program to connect affected employees with job resources. The program also provided alternative training services to help workers find new roles.

Sprouts Farmers Market offers organic produce, specialty groceries, and bulk foods. The store also sells wellness products. Local officials described the opening as a renewed source of business activity for the neighborhood. The grand opening event was documented in a video posted on the city's social media channels.

Santa Ana is selling nine city-owned properties to private buyers. The Public Works Agency issued Request for Proposals No. 27-036. The sites include two commercial locations, one professional office site, and one mixed-use transit corridor. Interested buyers must register through the city's PlanetBids procurement portal to view details.

The city launched a new Surplus Land Dashboard to assist buyers. This interactive tool displays property locations and legal descriptions. It also provides updates on availability. Developers and investors can use the dashboard to review the sites before submitting proposals. Multiple submission dates are available for the current RFP cycle.

A local print studio received a grant to cover startup costs. Bitesize Enterprise LLC operates in the historic Santora Building. The studio is run by Tristan and Yvonne. They received funding through the City of Santa Ana's Small Business Incentive Program. The grant covered equipment, materials, and production supplies.

The funding allowed the business to expand its capabilities without taking on additional debt. The studio specializes in hand-printed apparel. It also hosts community events. Bitesize Enterprise co-hosts Santa Analog, a monthly Art Walk in the Santora Building basement. The event features live chain-stitching and vinyl DJ sets.

Santa Ana's Spec Formliners has operated in the city for 30 years. The company designs architectural form liners for concrete structures. These molds create textures like natural stone and wood grain. The company holds a U.S. patent for a backer panel for plastic form liners. Their liners are designed to be reused more than 50 times.

Spec Formliners works with architects and engineers on projects across the country. Their work appears on highways, bridges, and public spaces. Recent projects include transportation corridors in San Juan Capistrano and Spokane, Washington. The company is located on East 4th Street in Santa Ana.

The Blading Cup USA competition is scheduled for November 6 and 7. The event will take place in the Yost Parking Lot at 307 Spurgeon Street. It is an officially sanctioned World Skate Challenger event. Athletes will compete in Men's, Women's, and Junior divisions. First-place finishers can earn up to 20,000 points toward the 2025-2026 World Skate Rankings.

The event was founded in 2011 by Jon Julio. He owns THEM Skates on 4th Street in Downtown Santa Ana. The competition has grown from a local gathering into an international event. It attracts elite athletes and brands from around the world. The city is also offering a Made in California program for local manufacturers. Fees for this program are waived through December 31, 2026.