Consolidated Statement of Equity - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2018 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional paid-in capital	Accumulated dividends in excess of earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income	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 Equity Incentive Plan (in shares)		387,861
Shares issued under the Equity Incentive Plan		$ 145	145
Shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)		(70,168)
Shares withheld for employee taxes	(1,400)		(1,400)
Cancellation of restricted stock (in shares)		(6,999)
Stock based compensation expense	5,415		5,415
Cash redemption for non-controlling interests	(1,992)					(1,992)
Adjustment to non-controlling interests ownership in Operating Partnership			(2,529)			2,529
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock (in shares)		1,326,690
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock	25,703		25,703
Registration expenditures	(376)		(376)
Cash dividends	(73,003)			(66,188)		(6,815)	$ (247)	$ (247)
Net income attributable to Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.	32,235			32,235
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	3,338					3,338
Other comprehensive income	$ 6,124				6,124
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018	113,984,835	113,984,835
Balance at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 1,325,583	$ 11	$ 1,439,548	$ (244,690)	$ 7,980	$ 122,734