New shopping center planned for Shafter

11-acre plot along Central Valley Highway and Ash Avenue slated for retail development

Mar. 13, 2026 at 1:34am

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The City of Shafter is set to get a new shopping center called the Ranch Marketplace, which will include a grocery store, gas station, and other retail spaces. The nearly 11-acre plot of land bordering Central Valley Highway and Ash Avenue has been approved for the development, though the specific tenants are still unknown.

Why it matters

This new shopping center represents significant growth and development for the city of Shafter, which has historically lacked major retail options within city limits. Residents have expressed a desire for more national brand stores and the ability to shop locally rather than traveling to nearby cities like Wasco or Bakersfield.

The details

The Ranch Marketplace development will occupy nearly 11 acres of land along Central Valley Highway and Ash Avenue in Shafter. While the specific tenants have not been announced, the plan calls for a grocery store, gas station, and other retail spaces. City officials have not provided further details on the project, and the property owner declined to comment for the initial news report.

  • The development plans were first made public through recent Shafter planning commission and city council filings in mid-March 2026.
  • Construction on the Ranch Marketplace has not yet started.

The players

Ranch Marketplace

The new shopping center development planned for an 11-acre plot in Shafter, California.

Shafter City Manager

The city official who declined to comment on the proposed Ranch Marketplace development.

Osiel Suarez

A lifelong Shafter resident who expressed surprise at the new shopping center plans and a desire for more retail options within the city.

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What they’re saying

“I honestly thought that stuff like this would happen way into the future, maybe like 15-20, years from now. It's definitely surprising to see how much we're growing.”

— Osiel Suarez, Shafter Resident (turnto23.com)

“I would definitely like to see apparel stores, and maybe some more general needs. We don't have that many stores here that make ourselves sustainable. So a lot of times we have to go out to other towns, like Wasco or Bakersfield.”

— Osiel Suarez, Shafter Resident (turnto23.com)

What’s next

Construction on the Ranch Marketplace development has not yet begun, and city officials have not provided a timeline for when the new shopping center might open.

The takeaway

This new shopping center represents a significant development for the city of Shafter, which has historically lacked major retail options within its borders. The project highlights the city's growth and the desire among residents for more shopping and dining options that allow them to spend their money locally rather than traveling to nearby cities.