For the last 34 years I’ve treated Lincoln Center as my own,” Phil says. “When I was hired in 1991, I thought I hit the lottery.
A COMMUNITY BUILT TO LAST
This year, Lincoln Center celebrates an incredible milestone—75 years at the heart of Stockton. What began as a visionary idea rooted in community, connection, and innovation has grown into one of the region’s most beloved gathering places. As we reflect on the past and look ahead to the future, Lincoln Center’s story is inseparable from the people who built it, nurtured it, and continue to shape it every day.
A VISION AHEAD OF ITS TIME
The roots of Lincoln Center trace back even further than its opening. In 1938, Roy Sims and Greenlaw Grupe established Sims‑Grupe, planting the seeds for what would become a defining part of Stockton’s landscape. A decade later, after attending an Urban Land Institute meeting in 1948, Greenlaw returned with a bold idea: a planned master community, something largely unheard of at the time.
That vision led them to the Holt Ranch, five miles north of downtown Stockton, land once owned by Benjamin Holt, the inventor of the Caterpillar Tractor. With little capital but immense belief in the future, Greenlaw and Roy Sims convinced the Holt family to integrate the land into a 1,600‑acre master‑planned community. By 1950, more than 1,000 homes had already been sold, and it was clear the growing neighborhood needed a true town center.
THE START OF LINCOLN CENTER
Construction on Lincoln Center began in 1951. The first merchant, a Chevron gas station owned by Dudley Peter, soon welcomed neighbors, followed by Black’s Grocery later that year. Twelve stores opened in Lincoln Center’s very first year, and the Village News proudly described it as “the modern, one‑story center designed to serve the residents of North San Joaquin County.”
Built for $300,000 by E. Merlo & Co. of Stockton, Lincoln Center was designed with people in mind: 250 paved parking spaces, 14 covered walkways, and a reputation for being clean, safe, and welcoming. By the time Roy Sims passed away in 1973, the Center had grown to more than 100 diverse businesses, already fulfilling its role as a community hub.
A PERSONAL CONNECTION
For Phil Johnson, President of Sims‑Grupe, Lincoln Center is far more than a place of work, it’s home.
“For the last 34 years I’ve treated Lincoln Center as my own,” Phil says. “When I was hired in 1991, I thought I hit the lottery.”
Phil’s connection to Lincoln Center goes back to his childhood. As a student, it’s where he got his haircuts, had his car serviced, shared family dinners at Carmen’s, and rode his bike to meet friends. That personal history continues to shape how he leads today.
“Personally, Lincoln Center means family,” he shares. “Many of our merchants have been here longer than me. They watched me grow up…and now I get to watch the local businesses I brought in grow and thrive.”
ADAPTING TO CHANGE
When Phil joined Lincoln Center in 1991, the tenant mix looked very different, nearly 80% retail, with jewelers, gift shops, boutiques, and clothing stores lining the walkways. But change was coming.
In 1993, Phil helped usher in a new era, bringing the first Trader Joe’s, Starbucks, and Noah’s Bagels to the Central Valley. These additions energized the Brickwalk and helped Lincoln Center South thrive for decades.
The late 2000s brought new challenges. The housing crisis and the rise of online shopping dramatically changed the retail landscape. But Lincoln Center adapted, intentionally and thoughtfully.
“Food brought foot traffic back,” Phil explains. “We changed our tenant mix, added salons and personalized gyms in prime locations, and focused on creating an experience, not just a place to shop.”
Family‑friendly spaces, free Wi‑Fi, comfortable seating, and shaded gathering areas followed, all with a clear goal in mind: to create a place where people meet, gather, and connect.
WHAT LINCOLN CENTER MEANS TO STOCKTON
At its core, Lincoln Center exists to serve its community.
“I do this to give Stockton a sense of place,” Phil says. “A first‑class center with clean sidewalks, storefront parking, a place to shop, dine, and stroll. Lincoln Center is the heart of Stockton.”
For Phil, the greatest compliment is hearing customers refer to Lincoln Center as “my center.”
“When someone says, ‘What would Stockton be without Lincoln Center?’ that really gets me,” he says. “It’s not just a financial responsibility to my partners. It’s an obligation to Stockton to keep making Lincoln Center the number one center, year after year.”
LOOKING TO THE NEXT 75 YEARS
As Lincoln Center celebrates 75 years, Phil sees the milestone not as an ending, but as a snapshot in Stockton’s long, rich history.
“There are families here dating back to the 1850s. Stockton has incredible history, and we can’t forget what brought us here,” he says.
Lincoln Center remains a living, breathing part of the city, home to over 90 businesses that are neighbors, small‑business owners, and generous supporters of local causes.
“Our merchants are entrepreneurs who take risks every day,” Phil notes. “Next time you see them behind the counter, thank them. They’re helping Lincoln Center and Stockton thrive.”
Today, Phil is seeing the next generation create their own memories.
“After 35 years, it’s the people that make this place special,” he says. “Generations have grown up here. Now I have my grandkids getting haircuts at Village Barber and coming to visit their ‘Pop.’”
As Lincoln Center steps into its next chapter, the mission remains the same as it was in 1951: to serve, to connect, and to be a place where community comes first. Here’s to the next 75 years, this is just the beginning.
