Thompson Thrift Opens 64,000-Square-Foot Safeway at The Gilmore Mixed-Use Development in Gilbert, Arizona
GILBERT, Ariz. — Thompson Thrift celebrated the grand opening of a Safeway grocery store at The Gilmore, the company's 35-acre mixed-use development in Gilbert, Arizona, on Aug. 6, 2026. The approximately 64,000-square-foot store marks a significant operational milestone for the project, which is situated at the northwest corner of Val Vista Drive and Germann Road, just off Loop 202 in one of the Phoenix metro area's fastest-growing submarkets.
Safeway Opening Anchors Gilbert Mixed-Use Project
The Gilmore is designed to deliver approximately 200,000 square feet of grocery, restaurant, and retail space alongside 300 luxury apartment homes known as The Residences at The Gilmore. The Safeway opening establishes a daily-needs anchor for the development, a format that typically drives consistent foot traffic for adjacent tenants and helps define a project's trade area identity in suburban growth corridors.
The grand opening event included a performance by the Campo Verde High School Marching Band, appearances by the Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders and local high school dance teams, special promotions for shoppers, and donations to local schools.
"The opening of Safeway represents another exciting step in bringing our vision for The Gilmore to life," said Ashlee Boyd, Managing Partner of Thompson Thrift Commercial. "With each new addition, The Gilmore continues to evolve into a vibrant destination where shopping, dining, entertainment and modern living come together in a walkable, connected environment."
Development Design and Retail Mix
Thompson Thrift designed The Gilmore around a Main Street-inspired entrance, pedestrian-friendly walkways, and landscaped gathering spaces. The layout is intended to integrate the retail and restaurant component with the residential portion of the project.
The firm noted that The Gilmore continues to add new retailers, restaurants, and experiences, indicating the Safeway opening is a milestone within a broader leasing process rather than the completion of the project's tenant roster.
Residential Component in Pre-Leasing
The Residences at The Gilmore, the 300-unit apartment component of the development, is currently in pre-leasing. The units will include studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom floor plans. Amenities are slated to include a heated swimming pool, 24-hour fitness studio, coworking lounge with private focus rooms, outdoor entertainment kitchen, resident social spaces, and a dog park with pet spa.
Interior finishes are expected to feature quartz countertops, stainless-steel appliances, smart home technology, in-home washers and dryers, large walk-in closets, and balcony and patio options.
Thompson Thrift's Arizona Footprint
Thompson Thrift remains active across the Phoenix metropolitan area with several developments in various stages, including Pointe17 and Refinery at Pointe17 in Phoenix, The Maddox in Buckeye, Stella in San Tan Valley, Southbridge Marketplace in Maricopa, Elliot Tech Center in Mesa, and Germann Commerce Center in Queen Creek.
The company says it has invested more than $7.3 billion into local communities over the past 40 years, with activities spanning development, construction, leasing, and management of real estate projects across the country.
Grocery-anchored retail has remained among the more resilient segments of commercial real estate given its reliance on necessity-based demand. For mixed-use projects in suburban growth corridors, a full-service grocery anchor can support leasing momentum across the broader retail component while the residential units provide a consistent customer base for on-site merchants and restaurants.