By Angela Holmes
CEDAR RAPIDS — Next year Corridor grocery shoppers will have another option to buy local, organic foods when The Fresh Market opens its first store in Iowa in northeast Cedar Rapids.
The North Carolina-based chain plans to open its store at the Kmart Plaza location at 180 Collins Road NE in late 2014. Since opening its first store in 1982, the chain has grown to 144 stores in 26 states primarily located in the Southeast, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and West Coast, with plans for continued expansion throughout the country. Its nearest location currently to Cedar Rapids is in Peoria, Ill.
“We are always on the lookout for markets where shoppers appreciate high-quality food and outstanding customer service, and Cedar Rapids is just such a place,” Drewry Sackett, Fresh Market’s spokesperson, stated in an email.
The 146,167-square-foot building will be completely renovated to transform it into The Fresh Market concept, Mr. Sackett stated. Kmart plans a closing date in December and is currently liquidating its merchandise.
The Fresh Market will bring about 90 jobs to the market, almost all of which will be filled locally, Mr. Sackett stated.
Mr. Sackett is not worried about competition from other grocery stores in northeast Cedar Rapids, such as the nearby Hy-Vee and the recently announced New Pioneer Food Co-op which plans to open in 2015 at 3338 Center Point Road NE.
“We have a distinctive concept that rarely competes directly with other food retailers,” he stated. “With smaller, more intimate stores, classical music and soft lighting, with the aromas of freshly baked bread and coffee, our stores simply provide a unique shopping experience that customers can’t find anywhere else.”
The Fresh Market supports local and regional farmers and manufacturers.
“We have an extensive program for bringing local products to our stores,” Mr. Sackett stated. “Locally grown and produced products are clearly labeled with 100 and 300 signs (sourced within 100 and 300 miles of the store respectively).”
The store will also support area organizations as part of its corporate policy. In 2012, its stores donated more than $13.8 million worth of food to food banks in communities its stores are located. With a quarterly budget for in-kind donations, its stores also engage in a variety of fundraising efforts and partnerships with local nonprofit organizations.
“The Fresh Market looks forward to being an active member of the Cedar Rapids community,” Mr. Sackett stated. “All of our stores make regular donations to local food banks and other community organizations. We look forward to announcing our philanthropic partners in Cedar Rapids.”
The Fresh Market offers a produce department with more than 400 items, including a large selection of organic produce as well as items that are sourced locally. In addition, the store provides a full-service meat and seafood department. The European-style deli features more than 200 varieties of imported and domestic cheeses, as well as a wide variety of ready-to-serve items. The in-store bakery produces more than 30 kinds of freshly baked breads and a variety of pies and other desserts. In addition, unique selections are available in the grocery, bulk, coffee, candy and floral departments.
