Consolidated Statement of Equity - 3 months ended Mar. 31, 2018 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional paid-in capital	Accumulated dividends in excess of earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	Non- controlling interests	Officer	Officer Accumulated dividends in excess of earnings
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017	112,347,451	112,347,451
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 1,329,641	$ 11	$ 1,412,590	$ (210,490)	$ 1,856	$ 125,674
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shares issued under the 2009 Plan (in shares)		373,861
Shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)		(70,168)
Shares withheld for employee taxes	(1,400)		(1,400)
Cancellation of restricted stock (in shares)		(4,999)
Stock based compensation expense	1,428		1,428
Adjustment to non-controlling interests ownership in Operating Partnership			(191)			191
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock (in shares)		75,314
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock	1,508		1,508
Registration expenditures	(48)		(48)
Cash dividends	(24,258)			(21,981)		(2,277)	$ (72)	$ (72)
Net income attributable to Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.	10,702			10,702
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	1,122					1,122
Other comprehensive income	$ 3,808				3,808
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2018	112,721,459	112,721,459
Balance at Mar. 31, 2018	$ 1,322,431	$ 11	$ 1,413,887	$ (221,841)	$ 5,664	$ 124,710