Good Earth Natural Foods Expands to San Rafael

Good Earth Natural Foods has been a Marin County staple since 1969, starting out in Fairfax. Now, they’re expanding again with a third spot in San Rafael’s Northgate Mall.

The new store at 1500 Northgate Drive will spotlight certified organic produce, locally sourced ingredients, and community education. It’s another step in strengthening their presence from Fairfax to San Anselmo, and honestly, it’s about time San Rafael got in on the action.

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Good Earth Natural Foods Expands to Northgate Mall in San Rafael

They’re planning to open a 21,300-square-foot space in Spring 2027, taking over the old Rite Aid building. This move is a big part of the Northgate redevelopment push, and it feels like a natural fit for Marin’s blend of commerce, sustainability, and community vibes.

Good Earth has always leaned into that balance—ever since their Fairfax days, and throughout their years serving San Rafael, Larkspur, Mill Valley, and Sausalito.

The new Terra Linda location will include indoor and outdoor dining, plus an in-store café with organic juices, smoothies, and coffee. There’ll be a full-service meat and seafood department, and a scratch-made prepared foods section too.

It’s all about making it easier for families to grab genuinely healthy, unprocessed options. Whether you’re coming from Novato or Corte Madera after a hike on Mount Tam, there’ll be something fresh waiting for you.

What Shoppers Can Expect at the Northgate Store

Good Earth’s Marin stores always put certified organic produce first. They also lean heavily into local ingredients, sustainable practices, and a real sense of community service and education.

The Northgate store tries to capture that same vibe. It’s meant to anchor the Northgate redevelopment and support the mall’s shift into more of a community hub for shopping and dining. Folks in San Rafael, San Anselmo, and Tiburon might find it a new go-to spot.

Roughly 21,300 square feet inside the old Rite Aid at 1500 Northgate Drive. The location makes it easy to serve San Rafael and the wider Marin area.
Indoor and outdoor dining, plus an in-store café with organic juices, smoothies, and coffee. Perfect for Mill Valley residents after a day hiking Tamalpais, honestly.
A full-service meat and seafood department. The prepared foods section is scratch-made, so working families in Fairfax or San Rafael can grab a quick, quality meal.
The focus on organic produce and local ingredients isn’t going anywhere. There’s also a real push for sustainability and ongoing education for shoppers (and maybe the students at heart) in Larkspur and Corte Madera.
They’re not rushing growth. Good Earth wants to keep quality high across all locations, from the original Fairfax market to Terra Linda and now Northgate.
This new store will create over 200 jobs. There’ll be leadership opportunities for current staff too, which just adds to Marin’s reputation as a place where healthy food careers can actually happen.
Good Earth plans to ask for community input during the buildout. They want the Northgate store to reflect what locals in San Rafael and nearby towns actually want and need.

Co-owner and Managing Partner Stephen Mitchell sees the expansion as a way to bring “uncompromisingly clean, healthy, organic food” to even more of Marin County, from Fairfax to Novato. “The Northgate location will amplify our mission while staying true to the quality standards that Marin residents expect,” Mitchell said. He really emphasized the company’s careful, measured approach to growth.

Co-owner Al Baylacq mentioned that they’ll be asking for community feedback as they build out the new store. They want it to fit the needs and tastes of people from Sausalito to the Terra Linda neighborhood. This collaborative approach feels pretty consistent with Good Earth’s history—supporting Marin’s school gardens, local farms, and neighborhood groups. Regulars at the Fairfax and San Anselmo markets probably know that pattern well, and even folks who just stop by Terra Linda for a café break before hiking Mount Tamalpais have likely noticed it.

As the Northgate project moves forward, it’s shaping up to be more than just another grocery store. It’s set to anchor the Northgate redevelopment and maybe even spark a bigger role for the mall in Marin’s daily life.

Here is the source article for this story: Good Earth Natural Foods Expanding to San Rafael

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Joe Harris is the founder of MarinCountyVisitor.com, a comprehensive online resource inspired by his passion for Marin County's natural beauty, diverse communities, and rich cultural offerings. Combining his love for exploration with his intimate local knowledge, Joe curates an authentic guide to the area featuring guides on Marin County Cities, Things to Do, and Places to Stay. Follow Joe on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.