Consolidated Statement of Equity - 3 months ended Mar. 31, 2017 - 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	2009 stock plan Common Stock
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016	109,301,762	109,301,762
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 1,315,565	$ 11	$ 1,357,910	$ (165,951)	$ (3,729)	$ 127,324
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shares issued under the 2009 Plan (in shares)									349,261
Shares issued under the 2009 Plan	43								$ 43
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(74,331)
Repurchase of common stock	(1,571)		(1,571)
Cancellation of restricted stock (in shares)		(999)
Stock based compensation expense	1,217		1,217
Issuance of OP Units to non-controlling interests	$ 3,559					3,559
OP Unit redemption (in shares)	150,503	150,503
OP Unit redemption			3,202			(3,202)
Adjustment to non-controlling interests ownership in Operating Partnership	$ 0		321			(321)
Registration expenditures	(422)		(422)
Cash dividends	(22,673)			(20,574)		(2,099)	$ (59)	$ (59)
Net income attributable to Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.	10,170			10,170
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	1,081					1,081
Other comprehensive income	$ 716				716
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2017	109,726,196	109,726,196
Balance at Mar. 31, 2017	$ 1,307,626	$ 11	$ 1,360,700	$ (176,414)	$ (3,013)	$ 126,342