Consolidated Statement of Equity - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 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	2009 stock plan Common Stock	2009 stock plan Additional paid-in capital
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)										353,261
Shares issued under the 2009 Plan									$ 44		$ 44
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	4,535		4,535
Issuance of OP Units to non-controlling interests	$ 3,559					3,559
Equity redemption of OP Units (in shares)	157,567	150,503
Equity redemption of OP Units	$ 3,202		3,202			(3,202)
Cash redemption for non-controlling interests	(150)					(150)
Adjustment to non-controlling interests ownership in Operating Partnership	0		(291)			291
Registration expenditures	(715)		(715)
Cash dividends	(68,261)			(61,722)		(6,539)	$ (176)	$ (176)
Net income attributable to Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.	27,628			27,628
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	2,947					2,947
Other comprehensive income	$ 3,108				3,108
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2017	109,730,196	109,730,196
Balance at Sep. 30, 2017	$ 1,286,513	$ 11	$ 1,363,114	$ (200,221)	$ (621)	$ 124,230