A new organic and natural food store is opening near Southwest Archer Road, joining about six grocery stores in the area.
The Earth Fare store, joining Carrabba’s and Peach Valley Cafe in the University Towne Center, will host a grand opening at 7 a.m. on Aug. 12 at 3045 SW 34th St. which will include product demonstrations, live music and giveaways, according to a press release.
Earth Fare offers products free of trans fats, artificial dyes, preservatives and sweeteners. The store’s meat and dairy products will also be free of added hormones and antibiotics.
The Gainesville Earth Fare store will have a juice and smoothie bar, salad bar, hot foods bar, sandwich counter and other prepared-meal options. It will also have a cafe area with Wi-Fi and dining.
Nick Banks, the managing director of Front Street Commercial Real Estate Group, which handles the leasing for a portion of the center, said construction for the new store began around October 2014.
“What was always missing from that center was a large anchor to draw consumers to (it),” he said.
Banks said there will be a second sign added to the center to draw more attention to the new addition.
“Our (Gainesville’s) demographics play to some of those concepts for those looking to break into Florida,” he said. “I think we’re a good entry point.”
A Youfit Health Club and Chicken Salad Chick restaurant will be joining Earth Fare in the center. Youfit will open in July and the opening date for Chicken Salad Chick is unknown, said Dina Bartoletta, vice president of retail leasing at Gator Investments.
Bob Parks, father of two, shopped at Trader Joe’s when he lived in Boston and now shops at the Gainesville location. Parks said he appreciates the growing number of healthy options in grocery stores in Gainesville.
[A version of this story ran on page 7 on 7/7/15]
