Eric Atkinson, 31, was charged with murder during the commission of a robbery.
Martha Sanchez, 39, was working alone at the store on the 7400 block of Broadway on September 17. She was shot several times.
Police say surveillance video led them to Atkinson, who was already in jail on an unrelated parole violation.
Atkinson was held without bail. He is scheduled to return to court on November 25.
If convicted, Atkinson could face the death penalty.
City News Service contributed to this report.