Sprouts Farmers Market To Open in Woodstock

WOODSTOCK, GA -- After years of clamoring for a store that could serve as a suitable anchor for a struggling shopping center, it appears Woodstock residents will finally see their dream turn into a reality.

City officials on Thursday confirmed to Patch that Sprouts Farmers Market will open in the Shops at Buckhead Crossing on Towne Lake Parkway.

Brian Stockton, the city's economic development director, said the company plans to occupy the space formerly held by Publix and is aiming for a mid-2017 opening date.

While Tuesday Morning is currently utilizing the space, Stockton said plans call for that entity to relocate into another storefront within the development.

Stockton said the city has been working on plans to finalize the move since 2014 when the new landlord purchased the property.

"It's the only underutilized shopping center that we have in the city," he said, noting the addition could also help with the strip mall's occupancy rate.

Retail Planning Corporation purchased the Shops at Buckhead Crossing in late 2014. Since that point, elected officials and Woodstock staff members have worked closely with Retail Planning on plans to revitalize the shopping center, the city said.

“We are excited to announce that these hurdles appear to have been crossed," Stockton added.

The announcement comes on the heels of a Change.org petition created earlier this year calling on Publix to relinquish its lease on its former storefront. That move, the petition argues, would allow a larger tenant to occupy the space, thus helping the shopping center survive.

Sprouts Farmers Market bills itself as a healthy grocery store offering fresh, natural and organic foods. Shoppers can expect to find fresh produce, bulk food items, vitamins and supplements, packaged groceries, meat and seafood, baked good, dairy products, frozen food, natural body care products and household items catering to those who believe in sustainable living.

Several Sprouts stores have open in metro Atlanta within the last two years, including Midtown, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Decatur, Smyrna, Johns Creek and East Cobb.

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Images via Sprouts Farmers Market