One of the few independent community grocery stores in the San Fernando Valley, and one of Hollywood’s go-to filming locations, Fields Market in West Hills will be shutting its doors on Dec. 31 after 21 years in business.
After opening on Dec. 16, 2003, it became a grocery store that kept customers coming back, not only for the friendly workforce but also for its items that could not be found in traditional grocery chains. They offered Mrs. Stewart’s Concentrated Liquid Bluing, Fels Naptha Laundry Bar, Aunt Penny’s White Sauce and an international section that included British delights.
“We have been here 20-plus years and gotten to know so many people and their children, from when they were babies to young adults,” said co-owner Jennifer Rinck, holding back tears. “It’s been a progression of life. We had a deep connection with the community, with people, and that is what we are greatly going to miss.”
Named after the once open fields along Saticoy Street and Woodlake Avenue, the 25,000 square-foot market will sell off its remaining inventory to customers at half-price beginning Dec. 26.
Manny Aquino has been the deli manager for 15 years with a solid “following” every weekend waiting to bite into his barbecue tri-tip and ribs specialties.
Aquino isn’t looking for another job just yet, but said he was sad the market was closing for good because it was a major part of his life.
“This is my second home,” Aquino said. “We know our customers and have personal relationships.”
Just about every week, Tom Rackerby of Northridge came by to pick up one of Aquino’s sandwiches.
“I just ask (Manny) what’s good today,” Rackerby said, holding a freshly made turkey and cheese sandwich with a pickle on the side. “It’s fresh ingredients. They have the best sandwiches in town. I’m very upset it’s closing.”
Marlene Willauer, who lives Woodland Hills about four miles away, occasionally pops into Fields Market and was also disappointed to learn the store was closing.
“Everyone who works here is lovely and the people are friendly and I love the International food section with British (offerings),” Willauer said. “It’s not crowded, and they have real people here, and not machines.”
Sally Santana, a store manager and former hair stylist, has worked at Fields Market for 16 years.
“What I’m going to miss the most is the building, working here, the customers, all my co-workers and my bosses,” Santana said. “They are the best. We are so blessed to be here. They opened the door when we most needed a job. They helped us (with) whatever we needed. I love it here because the people here are just like family, and it just became home, away from home.”
The nearby Chaminade College Preparatory High School owns the strip mall property and plans to use the land to expand its school campus. School officials could not be reached for comment.
“It’s going from Fields Market to athletic fields,” one market customer said while heading out the door.
Bill Rinck, a former store director for two major supermarket chains, co-owns the family business with Richard Smith, who previously worked in the restaurant business. Rinck said their lease was coming to an end and the families were retiring.
“We are ready to liquidate and move onto our next adventure in life, retiring and seeing the world and not have to get up at three and four o’clock in the morning and come to work,” Rinck said. “I feel bad for the people in the community.”
Smith said the market’s probable claim to fame likely stems from the 400-plus movie, TV, commercial shoots that took place inside or outside of the store.
The American family television drama 7th Heaven was first to use the location as a backdrop, followed by the season finale of the original “comedy, drama, mystery” television series Desperate Housewives, which got Fields Market on the Hollywood “filming” map.
Over the years Fields Market was seen in so many TV series and movies — including the films Alvin and the Chipmunks, Hit and Run, and Criminal Minds, and TV shows NCIS, The Office, Bones, and Barry — that the grocery store earned its own Wikipedia page.