Mar-Val in Modesto? Kind of. How the ‘country store’ brings its groceries to Stanislaus

While there isn’t a Mar-Val Food Stores in Modesto, residents can shop its grocery items without even leaving their homes.

Mar-Val isn’t opening a location in Stanislaus County, but the store has partnered with DoorDash to offer on-demand delivery of groceries, deli items and all other products the family-owned, Lodi-based brand sells.

Delivery is available to Modesto from the chain’s location in Escalon as of Oct. 8, spokesperson Marline Valencia Cardenas said.

For 42 years, the closest Mar-Val to Modesto was in Ripon. That store closed in 2010 and was replaced by a Dollar General.

Mar-Val Food Stores is focused on supporting rural communities by offering supermarket selection coupled with the charm of a small, country store, according to a news release.

Departments include grocery, deli, bakery, meat, seafood, gifts and flowers. The store also carries Boar’s Head products.

Mar-Val Food Stores also will be available on DashPass — DoorDash’s membership program offering $0 delivery fees on eligible orders.

The company is celebrating its 72nd anniversary with free lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, limited to the first 200 people. The Escalon store is at 1900 McHenry Avenue.

Visitors can also enter for a chance to win a Green Mountain Trek Grill valued at $499.99 now until Tuesday.