Although it has not been officially announced, plans are in place for a new Sprouts Farmers Market in the Quad Cities area. It is expected to be open next spring in the space that once housed Albertsons (and briefly, Hannigan’s Island Market) on Sheldon and Montezuma streets, near Staples.
While store officials are keeping details of the new store close to the vest, they can confirm, although there is already a Sprouts in Prescott Valley, there is still a demand for another in Prescott.
“Shoppers in Prescott are discerning and looking for a one-stop shop for healthy items and for everyday shopping,” said Diego Romero, spokesman for Sprouts, which is based in Phoenix. “Our shoppers like healthy choices and selections. We have incredible fruits and vegetables and fresh and never frozen meats, poultry and pork. The bath and body items are unmatched in the area.”
Dave Maurer, CEO of the Prescott Chamber of Commerce, says the company has already begun working with the city and undergoing the permitting process.
Romero says there will be extensive renovations to the building, with the work beginning in the next few weeks.
Maurer says that when Albertsons closed and Hannigans failed, it left shoppers in the downtown area without a nearby supermarket. “It will be a nice addition to downtown. When Albertson’s closed, we hoped something like this would happen and it looks like it’s going to happen.”
Hannigans closed in December 2015 after having been open for only six months. A few months later, the 43,946-square-foot building sold for $3.25 million.
“Because of the success of the first [Sprouts] store, we think the demand will support the second store,” Romero said.
The history of Sprouts goes back to a roadside fruit stand opened in 1943 by Henry Boney in San Diego. The first Sprouts grocery store was opened in Chandler in 2002. Now, there are 220 stores in 13 states, including Georgia, Missouri, Alabama and Tennessee. The company employs 22,000.
Sprouts gives back to the communities they serve with the Sprouts Healthy Community Foundation, which supports through grants, food security and hunger relief, healthy nutrition and education, disabilities and health concerns. QCBN
By Patty McCormac, QCBN