Family Owned and Operated Since 1940

It’s been said that the more things change, the more they stay the same. At Jensen’s, we’ve been committed to providing unparalleled quality, service and selection since 1940, and that commitment will never change. Thank you for making Jensen’s the desert and mountain communities’ favorite destination for specialty foods, homemade baked goods and the finest, freshest meats, seafood and produce.

There’s quality and then there’s Jensen’s quality.

Our Story

Jensen’s Finest Foods original market was opened in Blue Jay, near Lake Arrowhead, in 1940 by Einer and Marie Jensen. While Einer served for two years in World War II, Marie ran the market. In 1964 the store moved into a new, 25,000 square foot building and in 1967 Jensen’s Old Country Bakery was added. Using traditional Danish recipes, Jensen’s bakery continues to be a family tradition. 

Gene Fulton began his career at Jensen’s in 1957 as a clean up boy at age 17. He worked his way up to the position of general manager, and in 1970 made arrangements with Mr. Jensen whereby he would purchase Jensen’s upon Mr. Jensen’s retirement on January 1 , 1981. Mr. Fulton then began and expansion, adding Jensen’s Minute Shoppe, an upscale convenience store, in the nearby community of Cedar Glen. In 1983 Jensen’s focused more on the upscale clientele with the opening of Jensen’s in Palm Desert. The success of the Palm Desert location prompted the addition of a Palm Springs location in 1985. In 1994 another Jensen’s Minute Shoppe, this one located in Rancho Mirage, was opened. May 1995 saw the opening of the sixth Jensen’s location in the mountain community of Wrightwood, taking over the former Holiday Foods market. In 1998 the seventh Jensen’s was added in the mountain community of Running Springs. An 8th store, this one a Jensen’s Minute Shoppe, on Cook Street in Palm Desert was completed in the fall of 2003. Then in 2016, we decided it was time to expand again and open up a 9th location. This time in the sunny beach town of Point Loma, San Diego.

Still family owned and operated, Jensen’s goal is to provide exceptional customer service while providing the finest selection and quality of foods and beverages in the communities which it serves. The company considers its employees its greatest asset, and strives to treat them like family, which is why a large number of them have been a part of Jensen’s team for at least ten years, with some having worked for Jensen’s nearly 40 years. 

Make Everyday an Occasion

Our History

1940

Jensen’s Finest Foods original market opens.

1957

Gene Fulton begins career at Jensen’s.

1964

Store moves into new 25,000 square foot building.

1967

Jensen’s Old Country Bakery is added.

1970

As general manager, Gene Fulton makes arrangements with Mr. Jensen whereby he would purchase Jensen’s.

1981

Mr. Fulton purchases Jensen’s upon Mr. Jensen’s retirement.

1981

Expansion begins: Jensen’s Minute Shoppe, an upscale convenience store, opens in the nearby community of Cedar Glen.

1983

Jensen’s continues focus on more upscale clientele with the opening of Jensen’s in Palm Desert.

1985

The success of the Palm Desert locations prompts the addition of a Palm Springs location. 

1994

A second Jensen’s Minute Shoppe opens in Rancho Mirage. 

1995

The 6th Jensen’s location opens in the mountain community of Wrightwood (taking over former Holiday Foods).

1998

The 7th Jensen’s location opens in the mountain community of Running Springs.

2003

The 3rd Jensen’s Minute Shoppe, on Cook Street in Palm Desert opens.

2008

Palm Springs moves to new location.

2009

Jensen’s announces new tagline “Make Every Day an Occasion” and updated logo.

2016

The 9th Jensen’s location opens in San Diego.

2020

Cook Street store sold January 2020.

2021

Rancho Mirage store sold July 2021.

Gene Fulton retires, selling his ownership to Lila Fulton, Mike Zack and Matt Zack in January.

2023

Focusing on large store operations, Jensen’s sells the Cedar Glen, Running Springs and Wrightwood locations in May.