The Shops at Maricopa Station began taking shape in October 2014, when Vintage Partners and the city broke ground on the 2.44-acre development along John Wayne Parkway, just north of CVS. 

The project was planned around a 7,800-square-foot multi-tenant building and a 3,300-square-foot drive-thru restaurant, with deals announced for Chipotle, Starbucks, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and Jersey Mike’s Subs. 

Starbucks was the first tenant to open, with its 2,000-square-foot café and drive-thru welcoming customers in April 2015. The location employed 30 people. Jersey Mike’s followed in May, becoming the second store to open in the complex. Its 1,400-square-foot shop employed 16 people, most of them Maricopa residents. 

Zoyo Neighborhood Yogurt was also among the early tenants, while Chipotle was preparing to open that summer. 

At the groundbreaking, developer Monty Ortman reflected on his role in Maricopa’s early growth alongside partner Mike Ingram through El Dorado Holdings. The company was instrumental in lobbying for the expansion of Maricopa Road and developing agricultural land for the city’s growth. 

“I looked at my partner and said, ‘Why not, let’s do it; it’s no big deal.’ Well, it was a big deal,” Ortman said of getting Maricopa Road built. “It was well worth it though.”