East Bay shopping centers with Safeway stores land out-of-state buyers

Two East Bay shopping centers that are each anchored by a Safeway grocery store have been bought in separate deals for a combined $88.9 million by out-of-state investors.

The neighborhood shopping centers that were bought are located in Clayton and Walnut Creek, respectively, according to documents filed in recent weeks with the Contra Costa County Recorder’s Office.

Some investors from outside California are showing signs of interest in buying retail centers that are anchored by grocery store chains, recent property deals suggest.

Here are some of the details of the recent shopping center purchases in the East Bay, as detailed in grant deeds posted with the county:

— Rossmoor Shopping Center in Walnut Creek was bought for $61.1 million by an affiliate controlled by Florida-based Sterling Organization. The retail hub is located at 1990 through 1998 Tice Blvd., county documents filed on April 7 show.

— Clayton Station Shopping Center in Clayton was bought for $27.8 million by an entity controlled by Ohio-based Phillips Edison & Co. The shopping center is at the corner of Clayton Road and Kirker Pass Road and has addresses that include 5431 Clayton Road, according to a grant deed filed on April 9.

Rossmoor Shopping Center totals 118,800 square feet. Safeway and CVS Pharmacy are the primary anchors of the center.

Clayton Station Shopping Center totals 67,500 square feet. Safeway and Walgreens are the center’s main anchors. The property occupied by the Safeway store wasn’t included in the sale.

“This property is a great asset and essential hub for the community,” John Dake, a principal executive with Sterling, said of his company’s purchase of the Rossmoor retail center in Walnut Creek. “We see tremendous potential to further elevate its appeal.”