HISTORY
Before the burritos and subs: The Shops at Maricopa Station More than a decade ago, Maricopa Station was just breaking ground
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
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.”
Yogurt was also among the early tenants, while
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5 years ago Teresa Martinez was selected to replace Rep. Bret Roberts in Arizona’s Legislative then-District 11 after Roberts resigned ahead of a move to South Carolina. The Pinal County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 for Martinez, a Casa Grande resident who identified
10 years ago
15 years ago
20 years ago
The Maricopa High School Marching Rams traveled to Flagstaff to perform their field show, “Postcards,” at Northern Arizona University Band Day. The Rams delivered their strongest performance of the season, improving their state qualifying score and earning an “excellent” rating. Judges praised improvements in timing, articulation and color guard performance.
A major drug trafficking investigation made headlines when authorities announced the results of “Operation Pipeline Express.” The 17-month probe targeted a trafficking organization operating through Arizona, including Thunderbird Farms near Maricopa. It led to 76 arrests and a massive seizure of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, weapons and more than $750,000. Officials linked the organization to Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel.
Maricopa Fire Department’s new Station 574 in Alterra was settling into service. The station included training space, sleeping quarters, a commercial kitchen and a separate cleanup room. At the time, Maricopa Fire had 48 full-time firefighters and three battalion chiefs, with most calls involving emergency medical services. Today, the department has 79 sworn personnel.
water and transportation as her top legislative priorities.
InMaricopa.com | October 2026
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