The History of Green Acres

Although Green Acres Market has evolved into a meat and produce specialty store, it still maintains the same family feeling it had when it was a General Store in the 1920's. Some of today's shoppers are the grown children of long time customers. Originally called Alvarez Market, the grocery store was one of the first in the Simi Valley area, built and operated by Manual Alvarez in the late 1920's. In the early 1930's Alvarez sold the store to his
borther-in -law Bill Luna, who ran the market until the early 1960's. When Luna retired, he sold the store to Russ Burris, who changed the name to RR Market also known as the Double R.

Burris had the Market until 1968 when Dick Rhoads came into the scene with partners Ken Hoshida and Bob Shaver. At this time, the market was named after a popular television show called Green Acres. Green Acres was aired from 1965 - 1971.

In 1972, Rhoads took over full ownership, which he currently maintains. Dick Rhoads has remodeled and expanded several times in order to keep up with the thriving business. Green Acres Market is known today for its long-standing reputation as an old-fashioned market with personalized service and "Quality without Compromise."

The store is still very much a family operation. Brenda, Mr. Rhoads' wife, worked in the store for 21 years, retiring to enjoy her grandchildren. Son Randy started working at the store when he was 13. Today he has taken over much of the operation. Daughter Julie workd for many years and was in charge of catering until retiring to raise a family with her husband Brad. Brad Dobin, who was a meat cutter, moved into the catering position when Julie retired.

Dick Rhoads purchased this 1919 Dodge Panel Truck, which he still owns today.

Green Acres Farm Market and Catering has had the pleasure of serving Simi Valley for 37 years. Green Acres has grown-up to be a community tradition with our Full Service Meat, Produce, Fine Wine, Gourmet Groceries, and our Complete New York Style Deli that carries the finest Boars's Head products imported from New York.

Green Acres in 1990.