The first BriarPatch cooperative retail store opens in an unheated warehouse near the airport on Loma Rica Drive in Grass Valley. The early founders restructured an existing food-buying “Grub Club” to look more like co-ops in the Bay Area. The first store sold staple food items in bulk, carried as much meat and other perishables as would fit in its old refrigerators and fulfilled special orders. At first, the store was open only to members, who were required to volunteer. The name comes from a co-op (now closed) in Menlo Park, California.

BriarPatch moves into a much smaller space on Nevada City Highway near the current Brunswick Basin Jack-in-the-Box in Grass Valley. The store was open to the public and volunteer work was no longer required. Members received a 5% discount on purchases and younger members began asking for more organic produce.

The Co-op moves to Washington Street. The new building had approximately 1,000 square feet of retail space and very little warehouse space. With cheap rent and a friendly landlord, BriarPatch began a new stage of growth.

BriarPatch moves to a 2,160 square foot location at 131 Joerschke Drive, a peaceful corner of the Brunswick Basin shopping Mecca in Grass Valley. The store’s finances begin to stabilize with the adoption of new systems, the first finance manager and operations manager. Sales and membership begin a swift and steady rise in the mid-1990s along with staff, wages and employee benefits.

BriarPatch signed a letter of intent with the Litton family to lease store space to be built just off the Sierra College roundabout.

The new “green building” opens, featuring a deli with cold and hot food bars, a large eating area, an outdoor patio, fresh fish and meat counters and a customer service desk.

BriarPatch teams up with California Solar Electric Company to install 680 high-performance solar panels, making it the largest photovoltaic solar system constructed over a parking lot in Nevada County. It produces as much as 55% of the store’s electricity.

BriarPatch installs Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.

BriarPatch introduces online shopping and Curbside Service during COVID-19 pandemic. Store sales reach nearly $40M and The Patch announces the opening of a second store in Auburn, California Winter 2022-23.

BriarPatch is voted Best Grocery Store in Nevada County by readers of The Union newspaper. The store releases 2025 Sustainability Goals with a plan to achieve 100% renewable energy and 100% of food waste diverted from landfills.

BriarPatch opened its second location to great fanfare on August 10, 2023!