In the more than 50 years Oak Grove Market has been located at the same address, it has seen numerous ownership and style changes. By all accounts, there have been both highs and lows.

When current owner, Steve Rich, took over in early 2012, the store was dated, rundown, and sold little more than snacks, sodas, and entry level beers. Since then though there's been a gradual but steady revival.

Today the market boasts a selection of fresh organic produce from small local farms, high quality fresh and frozen meats, an inspired assortment of premium, harder to find groceries alongside mainstay essentials, a surprising mix of world-class beers, and possibly the best deli sandwiches on the Peninsula.

There's also a very noticeable commitment to the immediate community reflected on the shelves. From the beginning, there has been a request sheet available near the register and customers are encouraged to ask for whatever products they covet. The vast majority of these requests have been fulfilled and then - if the product sells, it gets reordered.

It's that request list which has led to a sizable section of Irish and British imports; another unexpected nuance which adds to the store's unique flavor.

As more and more consumers take a greater interest in understanding how their food is produced and where it comes from, Oak Grove takes pride in supporting a wide swatch of small local producers. If that's forward thinking, it's steeped in respect for the smaller, family owned, neighborhood markets of yesteryear.