For 70 years, Compton’s Market has represented something increasingly rare in the grocery industry: a neighborhood market built on family, personal service, hard work and a genuine commitment to its community.
Today, that legacy is being carried forward by Sunil Hans, Premjit Hans, Gagan Hans, who have operated the East Sacramento store for nearly 20 years and counting.
The roots of the family business date back to 1956, when Lucky Supermarkets began selling some of its smaller neighborhood locations. Bill Compton, the youngest of the Compton siblings, purchased several of those stores and helped build what would become a familiar independent grocery chain throughout the Sacramento region.
At its peak, Compton’s grew to eight stores and provided hundreds of local jobs. Its locations included Woodland, Citrus Heights and Rancho Cordova, along with other communities throughout the greater Sacramento area. The business was truly a family operation, with siblings, aunts, cousins and children all contributing over the years.
Bill’s son, Mike Compton, began working in the family business in 1971. When Mike reflects on those years, what stands out most is his father’s extraordinary work ethic.
Bill had a presence about him whenever he entered a store. He set the bar high and expected everyone around him to work hard, but he was also known for being exceptionally generous. He regularly supported schools, churches, youth sports programs and other community organizations.
His generosity was also deeply personal. According to Mike, Bill sometimes loaned money directly to customers or employees who were experiencing financial hardship. Helping others was not simply something the company promoted, it was part of how Bill lived and conducted business. Bill was also respected throughout the grocery industry and served for one year as president of the Northern California Grocers Association.
The independent grocery business looked very different during Compton’s early years. Its main competitors were other locally owned mom-and-pop markets, but Mike remembers the relationship among those businesses as friendly rather than fiercely competitive.
The owners knew one another, talked regularly and even gathered socially to play cards. Although they operated separate stores, they belonged to a close-knit community of independent grocers who understood and supported one another.
Compton’s came of age during a memorable chapter in Sacramento grocery history, when shoppers frequented familiar names such as Raley’s, Bel Air Markets, Nugget Markets, Vic’s IGA, Holiday Market, Corti Brothers, Stop-N-Shop, Farmers Market and Tom Thumb. Some grew into larger companies, while others disappeared over time, but together they helped define an era when neighborhood grocery stores were closely connected to the families and communities they served.
Customers also had a special connection to their neighborhood markets. Many shoppers intentionally chose independent stores because they valued supporting local families and appreciated the personal relationships they developed with owners and employees. Markets such as Compton’s were not simply places to buy groceries, they were an important part of the neighborhoods they served.
Over time, the grocery industry changed. Larger supermarket chains expanded, consumer habits shifted and it became increasingly difficult for smaller independent stores to compete. The Compton’s locations gradually closed or were sold until only the East Sacramento market remained.
The Compton family eventually sold the remaining store to the Hans family. Since taking ownership, the Hans family has continued the Compton tradition while making significant improvements to the McKinley Boulevard location. Those improvements have included new equipment, expanded product offerings and the addition of a service deli, café and bar. In 2017, Compton’s was named Retailer of the Year by the East Sacramento Chamber of Commerce.
Today, Compton’s remains a full neighborhood grocery store, offering produce, meat and seafood, dairy, bakery items, groceries, household and pet products, and an extensive beer, wine and spirits department. The market also carries natural and organic products and emphasizes items from Sacramento and other California businesses.
Willy’s Café and Bar offers sandwiches, prepared meals, freshly made Indian dishes, grab-and-go selections and pizzas made inside the store.
Most recently, Compton’s welcomed Steele House Coffee, a coffee bar located inside the market. The newest addition gives customers another place to stop, gather and enjoy the welcoming neighborhood experience that has defined Compton’s for generations.
Although another Compton’s location was briefly considered, Mike said there are currently no plans to expand. The focus remains on supporting the East Sacramento store and preserving the character of the original family business.
As the last member of the Compton family still working in the store, Mike remains a living connection to its beginnings. The Compton name is still on the building, and through his presence, Mike continues to represent his family and the values his father established.
During our conversation, what resonated most was Mike’s genuine passion for the grocery industry and his belief in the value of hard work. Grocery retail is demanding work, but it is also honorable work, work that has supported families, served communities and been passed from one generation to the next.
When asked whether he ever felt he had missed another calling, Mike briefly mentioned baseball with a twinkle in his eye. But his answer was clear, he would not have chosen his life any other way.
Looking back, Mike said he would not change anything. He remains grateful for the family business; the life it gave him and the opportunity to help keep his father’s legacy alive. His story is a reminder that hard work pays off, not only through the success of a business, but through the relationships, community and lasting legacy built along the way.
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