Every town has places that become part of its identity.
In Woodside, Roberts Market is one of those places. You will often find us there as it is just down the street from our home. It’s located at the corner of Woodside Road and Mountain Home Road (one of the premier streets in all of Woodside). On the other side of the intersection is Cañada Road, another street that goes straight through Central Woodside. If you want to check them out, put 3015 Woodside Road into your google maps to get there. And, should you be in Portola Valley, Roberts is also there at 4420 Alpine Road.
Visitors may see a grocery store. Residents, like us, know it as something much more. For generations, Roberts has served as a gathering place, a source of local news, an unofficial community center, and one of the most recognizable landmarks in Woodside Town Center. In a region defined by rapid change, Roberts Market remains one of the constants.
Part of what makes Roberts so special is its longevity. The Roberts family business traces its roots back to 1889, when W.F. Roberts established a butcher shop in San Francisco. The business eventually found its way to Woodside, where it became woven into the fabric of the community. Today, more than 135 years later, it remains family-owned and operated.
More Than a Grocery Store
Many communities have grocery stores. Few have one that plays such a central role in daily life.
A stop at Roberts often becomes much more than a shopping trip. Conversations begin in the parking lot, neighbors catch up in the aisles, and local events are discussed over coffee and sandwiches. New residents quickly discover that Roberts provides a window into the community unlike almost anywhere else in town.
In many ways, Roberts reflects the character of Woodside itself. The atmosphere is welcoming, unpretentious, and distinctly local.
A Link to Woodside’s Past
Woodside has changed dramatically over the decades. What was once a rural community centered around logging, ranching, and horses has evolved into one of the Peninsula’s most desirable residential communities.
Throughout those changes, Roberts has remained a familiar presence.
The current Woodside market grew from a family business founded in the nineteenth century and was brought to Woodside by George Roberts in 1960. Over the years, it evolved from a traditional neighborhood market into a destination known for exceptional meats, produce, prepared foods, wine, and specialty products.
Yet despite its evolution, the market has maintained the small-town feeling that residents value.
Where Woodside Comes Together
One of the unique qualities of Roberts Market is the remarkable cross-section of people who pass through its doors.
Longtime residents, young families, cyclists stopping during weekend rides, construction crews, local ranchers, and some of Silicon Valley’s most successful entrepreneurs all shop in the same place. The market has become famous for serving everyone from billionaires to lifelong Woodside locals without distinction.
That diversity reflects one of Woodside’s most appealing characteristics. Despite its reputation as a luxury community, it has retained a strong sense of authenticity and connection.
An Anchor of Town Center
Woodside Town Center is intentionally small. Unlike many communities, it has never developed into a large commercial district.
That is part of its charm.
Within this compact town center, Roberts occupies a central role. Alongside destinations such as Bucks and The Village Bakery & Cafe, it helps create the walkable, community-oriented environment that residents enjoy. Roberts is often one of the first places newcomers visit and one of the places we longtime residents return to week after week.
Why Roberts Still Matters
The significance of Roberts Market extends beyond groceries.
It represents continuity in a region that is constantly evolving. It reflects Woodside’s history while remaining relevant to everyday life. It serves as a reminder that even in the heart of Silicon Valley, communities are often defined by the places where people connect with one another.
For many us, Roberts is not simply a market. It is part of the experience of living in Woodside.
And for those considering a move to the community, spending a few minutes at Roberts may provide one of the best introductions to the town itself. Whether picking up groceries, grabbing lunch, or simply running into familiar faces, it offers a glimpse of the small-town character that continues to make Woodside such a special place to call home.
