
About Us
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Hours: Monday-Saturday 7:00AM-7:30PM Sunday: 8:00AM-7:00PM Holidays: 8:00am-7:00PM
Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
Mill Valley Market has been family owned and operated since 1929. We have always prided ourselves on quality, customer service, selection, and community involvement. We don't just work here - we live in Mill Valley as well. Our customers are our neighbors and friends, and we treat them like that.We want you to be able to find everything you want under one roof. That's why we offer everything from 100-year-old balsamic vinegar to Crisco and everything in-between. We love customer requests, so if there is something you can't find in the store, please let us know.
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History
Mill Valley Market was founded on July 4, 1929 by Frank Canepa as a small produce stand at 118 Throckmorton Avenue. At the time, there were close to a dozen family-run groceries scattered around town. Nearly a century later, Mill Valley Market is the only one still in operation, carrying forward the values set by its founder.
In 1955, Frank’s oldest son, Jim Canepa, took over the business and moved it to its current location. Jim is remembered for transforming the Market into the kind of place people still know and love today. His passion for food and for the town of Mill Valley guided him to seek out unique, high-quality products that quickly became part of everyday life in the community. Jim also believed that running the store meant more than stocking the shelves; he set the example that community involvement was just as important as day-to-day business. In 1975, his younger brother Bob joined him as a partner and carried that vision forward.
In 1990, Jim’s sons, David and Doug, took over the Market. Like their father, both had grown up working in the store since childhood. Under their leadership, the Market expanded to include a full-service deli and a commercial kitchen, making it possible to prepare fresh meals alongside groceries and wine. Their years of stewardship helped the Market continue to grow and remain a central part of the town.
Today, the Market is carried on by the fourth generation of the Canepa family. David's son Ryan Canepa, Frank’s great-grandson who was born and raised in Mill Valley. He attended local schools, graduated from Tamalpais High, and has been part of the store for most of his life. Ryan now leads the business together with his longtime friend and fellow Tam High graduate, Abner Chinchilla. Abner joined the Market in 2015 as a manager and became a partner in 2020. The two share a deep commitment to the community where they grew up.
Together, Ryan and Abner are continuing a legacy that stretches back to 1929. Their focus remains the same as it has always been: to offer great products, provide excellent service, and keep Mill Valley Market closely tied to the community that has supported it for nearly one hundred years.