Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flow (Unaudited) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 4,760,898	$ 5,552,156
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	18,057,836	13,667,360
Amortization of deferred financing costs and mortgage premiums, net	176,579	202,405
Gain on bargain purchase		(3,864,145)
Straight-line rent adjustment	(1,737,266)	(1,721,006)
Amortization of above and below market rent	(2,045,464)	(1,602,395)
Amortization relating to stock based compensation	1,346,155	1,325,131
Provisions for tenant credit losses	451,475	523,248
Equity earned in earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures	(271,436)	(983,820)
Loss on sale of discontinued operations	713,529
Distribution of cumulative earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures		468,000
Other	308,652
Change in operating assets and liabilities
Restricted cash	(214,037)	(315,324)
Tenant and other receivables	(1,360,807)	(1,320,640)
Prepaid expenses	549,838	(198,363)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(1,940,459)	(3,036,167)
Other asset and liabilities, net	(1,052,625)	1,183,997
Net cash provided by operating activities	17,742,868	9,880,437
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Investments in real estate	(170,955,340)	(85,579,794)
Proceeds from sale of real estate	5,607,612
Investments in mortgage notes receivables	(294,000)
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures		(735,000)
Return of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures		783,211
Improvements to properties	(8,499,196)	(3,391,381)
Deposits on real estate acquisitions	(2,250,000)	(1,850,000)
Construction escrows and other	(145,012)	(174,234)
Net cash used in investing activities	(176,535,936)	(90,947,198)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Principal repayment on mortgages	(712,467)	(7,328,146)
Proceeds from the draw on term loan/credit facility	182,150,000	64,000,000
Payments on credit facility	(196,000,000)
Payment of contingent consideration	(1,864,370)
Proceeds from exercise of warrants	220,371,366
Payments to acquire warrants	(21,989,860)
Proceeds from the sale of stock		13,378,487
Deferred financing and other costs	(122,318)	(205,639)
Registration expenditures	(34,870)	(425,383)
Dividends paid to common shareholders	(20,746,971)	(12,516,146)
Repurchase of common stock	(280,974)
Retirement of options	(274,830)
Net cash provided by financing activities	160,494,706	56,903,173
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,701,638	(24,163,588)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	4,692,230	34,317,588
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	6,393,868	10,154,000
Other non-cash investing and financing activities:
Assumed mortgage at fair value	9,670,900	8,428,062
Intangible lease liabilities	3,670,775	7,688,491
Accrued real estate improvement costs	708,235	164,857
Retail Opportunity Investments Partnership L.P. [Member]
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	4,760,898	5,552,156
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	18,057,836	13,667,360
Amortization of deferred financing costs and mortgage premiums, net	176,579	202,405
Gain on bargain purchase		(3,864,145)
Straight-line rent adjustment	(1,737,266)	(1,721,006)
Amortization of above and below market rent	(2,045,464)	(1,602,395)
Amortization relating to stock based compensation	1,346,155	1,325,131
Provisions for tenant credit losses	451,475	523,248
Equity earned in earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures	(271,436)	(983,820)
Loss on sale of discontinued operations	713,529
Distribution of cumulative earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures		468,000
Other	308,652
Change in operating assets and liabilities
Restricted cash	(214,037)	(315,324)
Tenant and other receivables	(1,360,807)	(1,320,640)
Prepaid expenses	549,838	(198,363)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(1,940,459)	(3,036,167)
Other asset and liabilities, net	(1,052,625)	1,183,997
Net cash provided by operating activities	17,742,868	9,880,437
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Investments in real estate	(170,955,340)	(85,579,794)
Proceeds from sale of real estate	5,607,612
Investments in mortgage notes receivables	(294,000)
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures		(735,000)
Return of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures		783,211
Improvements to properties	(8,499,196)	(3,391,381)
Deposits on real estate acquisitions	(2,250,000)	(1,850,000)
Construction escrows and other	(145,012)	(174,234)
Net cash used in investing activities	(176,535,936)	(90,947,198)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Principal repayment on mortgages	(712,467)	(7,328,146)
Proceeds from the draw on term loan/credit facility	182,150,000	64,000,000
Payments on credit facility	(196,000,000)
Payment of contingent consideration	(1,864,370)
Deferred financing and other costs	(122,318)	(205,639)
Distributions to ROIC	(43,327,505)	(12,941,529)
Contributions from ROIC	220,371,366	13,378,487
Net cash provided by financing activities	160,494,706	56,903,173
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,701,638	(24,163,588)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	4,692,230	34,317,588
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	6,393,868	10,154,000
Other non-cash investing and financing activities:
Assumed mortgage at fair value	9,670,900	8,428,062
Intangible lease liabilities	3,670,775	7,688,491
Accrued real estate improvement costs	$ 708,235	$ 164,857