Iconic Garlic Shoppe Forced To Close Due To Eminent Domain: Reports

GILROY, CA — A South Bay icon is being forced to move by eminent domain, according to reports.

The Garlic Shoppe in Gilroy has been at Highway 101 and State Route 25 for nearly four decades, but the property where the store is located was acquired by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Agency to make way for a nearly $140 million project to rebuild the intersection, according to KSBW.

Brothers Alex and Charlie Larson own the business but lease the land it occupies, NBC Bay Area reported. Alex told the outlet that last month they received a 30-day notice of the eminent domain.

The transportation agency said it had been in contact with the brothers about the need to move for two years and that they were in court in late 2023 when it was announced the agency would receive possession, according to NBC Bay Area.

The store’s doors were set to close Monday, but their products — which include garlic seasonings, mustards, jellies and more — can be found for sale at the brothers' nearby Rapazzini Winery while they look for another location, reports said.