While the classical ambience will remain, The Fresh Market is making changes to add products, focus on more fresh and unique items and increase shelf space.
In a statement, Marketing Manager Barbi Baker said Fresh Market would “unveil an enhanced shopping experience to our Jacksonville-area stores in August that will further the brand’s long-standing commitment to offering fresh and delicious food every day for our guests.”
She said more details would be shared soon.
Work is pending on up to four of the area’s five stores this month. Its newest area store at Fleming Island store in Clay County opened June 14.
The four other locations are in Mandarin, Brooklyn, Harbour Village and Ponte Vedra Beach.
Renovation plans show The Fresh Market wants to reconfigure shelving and lighting.
Three permit applications in Duval County show $75,000 projects at 12795 San Jose Blvd. in the Shops at Julington Creek; 150 Riverside Ave. at Brooklyn Station on Riverside; and 13493 Atlantic Blvd. in Harbour Village.
The fourth location is at 840 A1A N. in Ponte Vedra Beach in St. Johns County.
The North Carolina-based company, founded in 1982, has been updating stores in waves expected to be completed early next year, according to Supermarket News.
While the information has since been updated, Supermarket News reported in October that The Fresh Market announced a new logo, lowered prices and expanded product offerings as its first major initiative after Apollo Global Management bought the supermarket group in March 2016.
When that deal was announced, The Fresh Market operated 186 stores in 27 states. The company’s stores were known for featuring fresh foods, produce and flowers, samples of freshly brewed coffee, as well as bulk items.
The changes include lowered prices, doubling the number of aisles and adding everyday grocery products, including mainstream and organic and natural brands.
The Greensboro-based company told Supermarket News it would keep the “special” elements that defined it as a gourmet specialty chain.
Its website refers to “all the refreshing updates to your neighborhood store. Like improved lighting and signage that helps you find the products you want. More focus on freshness. More deliciously easy meal solutions for busy days. An expanded selection of organic, non-GMO and gluten free foods.”
The stores are open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
When the updated Charlotte stores in North Carolina were scheduled to open in November, Progressive Grocer reported the refresh focused on several key areas:
A large selection of high-quality fresh foods, with more offerings from local farmers; expanded product offerings and optimized grocery space to accommodate more grocery and household items, including 1,300 everyday grocery essentials; lower prices on hundreds of popular items across the store; dedicated sampling stations at select stores and new signage that clearly designates departments; a new Mind & Body department at select locations, featuring more than 3,300 vitamins, minerals and supplements, as well as a specialist to answer customer questions and offer recommendations; and health-conscious products such as 1,600 organic items, 850 certified gluten-free items and 1,900 certified non-GMO items.
The Fresh Market revealed a new logo in October and is revamping its stores.