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Marketplace History
Humble Beginnings
The Creamery Marketplace was built in 1906, but its roots go back even further. San Luis Obispo’s dairy industry had already begun to boom thanks to a mild climate that allowed cattle to graze and forage year-round. San Luis Obispo County would eventually become the leading dairy producer in the world, its history intertwined with that of the Southern Pacific Railroad, which transported the area’s milk, cheese and butter far and wide. The local dairy industry would also contribute to the building of lighthouses and wharfs, opening San Luis Obispo County to more and more lucrative opportunities.
The “Golden” Era
With the advent of pasteurization laws came the need for centralized creameries. In 1910, dairyman August Jensen built his Central Creamery Company on the 500 block of Higuera Street in San Luis Obispo — only the second established in San Luis Obispo County. Later, the creamery would be called the Golden State Company, which was fortuitous as the brand grew throughout California.
At its height, Golden State operated in 24 locations in California, including Los Angeles and San Francisco. By 1962, the Golden State logo had become one of the most recognized images in California dairy history. But with the inevitable rise of regulations, consolidation and competition, the local dairy industry all but disappeared.
Recycling a Landmark
The creamery fell into extreme disrepair by the mid-1970s; several city officials wanted the buildings destroyed to make way for new development. But architect Joe Crescione and contractor John Korelich saw potential for “recycling” the property as an open-air marketplace, with restaurants, art galleries and shops. They designed the complex to lie recessed from the street, a hideaway for locals and in-the-know visitors, and it served as a favorite community space from 1975 until 2014.
A Marketplace Takes Shape
By that time, nearly 40 years later, the Creamery was in need of another update, including an improved footprint and better use of space. Local development company, Covelop, stepped in and began a complete overhaul on the property in 2016 and finished in 2019. In addition to adding the “Farmer’s Building,” which frames a new courtyard, the whole property received an exterior facelift including new architectural features, the incorporation of historical Creamery elements and a bounty of public art installations like hand-painted signs, colorful murals and CowParade sculptures.
Today, the Creamery Marketplace invites locals and visitors alike to explore its public-yet-private dining, shopping and gathering space, folded back off Higuera Street in downtown San Luis Obispo.
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Entering the complex from Higuera Street, you pass through a high, narrow gateway that used to be the dairy truck entry.
On the left, Bear & The Wren occupies what was once the Golden State Creamery’s front office where milkmen and dairy employees picked up their paychecks.
To the right, in the space now occupied by Mistura restaurant, Golden State operated its retail store for dairy products.
The inner right bank of suites were dairy processing facilities. The suite that Seabreeze Bakery occupies was once the cold storage facility. (In fact, the large door on the exterior corridor was a freezer door.)
The suites on the left side of the marketplace are new as of 2019, but the suites along the back of the property once housed the mechanic’s shop, where milk trucks were repaired.
On the Nipomo Street side, where Ciopinot stands today, was once the site of Golden State’s loading docks.
