Sprouts Farmers Market Inc is set to expand into the Grandview area and will be taking over the former Big Lots location at 1451 W. 5th Ave, according to the Columbus Business First.
The fast-growing specialty grocery chain will mark the brand’s first store in both Columbus and Ohio. Nationwide, Sprouts operates more than 480 locations.
The company has filed a preliminary site plan with the city of Columbus for the Grandview-area property. Pending approvals, Sprouts would occupy approximately 27,988 square feet of the former Big Lots space, which is about 10,000 square feet smaller than what the previous retailer used.
Separate building permits have also been filed showing a division of the larger structure. Grandview Mercantile will continue operating in roughly 22,000 square feet on the building’s east side.
The incoming grocery store would return supermarket use to a site with a long retail history. Before Big Lots opened in 2017, Giant Eagle operated at the location for about a decade until its closure in 2014. Prior to that, the space was occupied by Big Bear.
The site has also been frequently mentioned by local shoppers as a potential home for Trader Joe’s, which currently operates two locations in the market.
Sprouts is known for its fresh-focused retail model, offering a wide selection of organic, gluten-free, plant-based and wellness-oriented products.
The company currently operates in 25 states. It opened 37 stores last year and plans to add 40 more this year, with expansion focused on the Midwest and Northeast. Sprouts reported $8.8 billion in sales last year, marking a 14% increase, while comparable store sales rose 7.3%.
The arrival of Sprouts adds another major player to the already $8 billion local grocery market in Columbus.
What Now Columbus reached out for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication. The article will be updated when more information becomes available.
