Some stores come and go in a few years, but this one has been serving customers for more than a century.
This old-school Arizona general store opened before Arizona even became a state, and it has watched the world around it change in some pretty incredible ways.
Today, you can still walk through the doors, grab something to eat, pick up everyday essentials, and experience a business with roots stretching back to the early 1900s.
If you’re curious how this little market has managed to survive for more than a century, keep reading to learn its story and what to expect when you visit.
Where Is It?
Del Monte Market is located at 2659 West Dobbins Road in Phoenix.
You’ll find it in the Laveen area, on the southeast corner of Dobbins Road and 27th Avenue, about a 20-minute drive from downtown.
About
Del Monte Market is the kind of old-school neighborhood store that’s getting harder and harder to find in Phoenix.
For more than a century, this family-run store has served the local community and is considered Arizona’s oldest continuously operating general store.
Walk through the front door, and you’ll find a compact space packed with snacks, groceries, toiletries, and other items that save you a trip to the supermarket.
The store also offers a large selection of beer and wine, with coolers along the back stocked with bottled juice, soda, and other refreshing drinks.
Sometimes, you can also find tamales for a quick, tasty bite while you’re browsing.
But there’s more to the experience than what you can pick up, as much of the original general-store character still remains.
Instead of polished supermarket aisles and self-checkout machines, you’re stepping into a small neighborhood business that has served local families for generations.
Outside, the brick exterior and vintage Del Monte Market signs offer another glimpse into its long history, reminding you that this isn’t just another place to grab groceries.
History
Del Monte Market dates back to 1908, when the store first opened in the rural farming community south of Phoenix.
Originally known as Brutcher’s Store, it began as a small grocery serving the surrounding community and changed owners several times over the years.
That early start also means the store was already serving the community four years before Arizona officially became a state on February 14, 1912.
At the time, local homesteaders had to travel several miles to shop here until another general store opened farther west.
Since then, the area around the market has changed dramatically, with Phoenix now home to more than 1.7 million residents.
Farms gradually gave way to new homes, roads, businesses, and expanding neighborhoods, but Del Monte Market remained in place through it all.
More than a century later, it’s still a working neighborhood store serving the people who live nearby.
That remarkable history is what makes the market such a special piece of Arizona’s past.
Know Before You Go
Hours
Current posted hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday, but it’s smart to confirm before making a special trip since hours can change around holidays.
Things to Do Nearby
One of the best nearby options is South Mountain Park and Preserve, a massive city park covering more than 16,000 acres just a 5-minute drive away.
With over 100 miles of trails to explore, you can spend your time hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding through the rugged desert landscape.
For a scenic stop, head 20 minutes to Dobbins Lookout, which sits at roughly 2,330 feet and offers huge views across Phoenix and the surrounding Valley.
You can also drive 25 minutes to Desert Botanical Garden, where walking trails lead through colorful displays of cacti, wildflowers, and thousands of other desert plants.
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