Market Merger Means No More Henry’s; Signs Now Say Sprouts

On Sunday night, the Henry’s Farmers Market in the Poway Town & Country Shopping Center closed its doors and turned out the lights for the last time. When Monday came, the new store “sprouted” up in its place.

When the merger between Henry’s and was finalized in February, it was announced that all stores operating under the Henry’s name would be rebranded as Sprouts. Over the weekend, the rebranding was completed, as the last of the 43 Henry’s became Sprouts when stores in Poway, Bernardo Heights and Tustin were converted.

“The combination of Sprouts and Henry’s is an exciting chapter in our family’s lives, and we look forward to continuing to deliver on our mission of helping America eat healthier, live longer and spend less,” Sprouts Chairman Stan Boney said in statement in February. Boney is the son of the late Henry Boney, who founded the Henry’s chain in San Diego.

The Boney family operated the chain until 1999, when Henry’s was sold to Wild Oats Markets Inc. In 2002, the younger Boney, along with his son, Shon, the elder Boney’s grandson, founded the first Sprouts store in Chandler, Ariz.

The changeovers have been very smooth and shoppers won’t notice much of a difference, said Kim Rockley, a spokeswoman for Sprouts. Both Henry’s and Sprouts are farmers-market-style grocery stores, so the layouts are similar. There will some minor changes here and there as the company works to identify and incorporate the best practices of each brand, she said.

If anything, “prices may get even better, as our combined buying power should allow us to find some efficiency in purchasing and distribution,” Rockley said. “The reunion of the two will bring a greater variety of fresh, interesting products to each store.”

Wendy Miller, 56, a Poway resident for 20 years who has been shopping at the Henry’s store for just as long, said although the store remained pretty much the same, she did notice a few things after the changeover on Monday.

“The food hasn’t been put out yet,” she said. “[The staff] was still looking for new spots to put stuff.”

Don Land, 73, who has been shopping at the Poway store for “years and years,” also noticed some minor changes.

“There are more dietary supplements than before and fewer spices,” he said.

Other shoppers, such as Scripps Ranch resident Maryanne Paul, 67, who has been shopping there since 1991, didn’t notice any changes in the store, including the staff.

“They’re still the same nice people, same nice service,” she said.