Plans are moving forward for a Sprouts Farmers Market grocery store in St. Johns County.
The county issued a permit Sept. 24 for Creative Sign Designs of Tampa to install signage at a cost of $14,238.
The 23,975-square-foot store is in the Shoppes of St. Johns Parkway, 120 Shops Blvd., near County Road 210. It is in the former Earth Fare space, a natural foods grocer that closed in 2022.
The Sprouts will be the organic and natural food grocer’s 388th store nationally, the third in Northeast Florida and the first in the county, according to its website. The Jacksonville locations are at 4873 Town Center Parkway and 12675 Beach Blvd., Suite 200.
The project cost for the new store is $1.1 million.
Charlotte, North Carolina-based Little Diversified Architectural Consulting is the architect. J. Raymond Construction Corp. of Longwood is the contractor.
Other tenants at the Shoppes include restaurants Canopy Road Cafe, Xtreme Wings, Ember & Iron and Hot Spot Power Yoga.
According to sprouts.com, the store could result in the hiring of more than 100 for positions that include department managers, cashiers and courtesy clerks.
“People thought we were crazy when we wouldn’t sell the country’s top-selling sodas, snacks and candy. But we believed that eating clean and living healthy was more than just a trend. At Sprouts, it’s our passion. And we knew that by focusing on farm-fresh produce and other healthy, affordable items, we could create a grocery experience where you didn’t have to be wealthy to eat healthy!” the site says.
Sprouts was founded in 2002 and opened its first store in Chandler, Arizona. Representatives did not respond to emails seeking comment.
The Food and Drug Administration defines “natural” as meaning that nothing artificial or synthetic is included in a food where it is normally expected.
Organic foods follow federal rules on soil, animal care, pest management and additives.