Healthy grocer signs on at Glenstone Marketplace - not Fresh Market

It could be Glenstone Marketplace LLC developer Brad Thessing’s lucky day.

Boulder, Colorado-based natural foods grocery chain Lucky’s Market has signed on as a tenant at the planned $10 million, 100,000-square-foot shopping center at 3333 S. Glenstone Ave., according to a news release. It’s unclear whether The Fresh Market - which previously signed on a tenant - still plans to open a store at the center.

The 150-employee Lucky’s scheduled to open in 28,000 square feet at Glenstone Marketplace would be the chain’s 23rd location and fourth in Missouri - others are in Columbia, Ellisville and Rock Hill. Officials are estimating a third- or fourth-quarter opening in 2017.

Lucky’s Market also represents a return of sorts for The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), which closed its Springfield Dillons stores in early 2015. In April this year, Kroger made an undisclosed financial investment in Lucky’s Market, according to LuckysMarket.com.

Lucky’s Market offers an assortment of organic, specialty and gluten-free items, as well as food sourced from the local community, according to the release.

“Lucky’s Market will not only generate a tremendous amount of sales tax and new jobs, but their philosophy to contribute to local charities and support area farmers will make a positive impact on our community,” Thessing said in the release.

The Fresh Market Inc. - another chain focused on high-quality products - closed all of its stores in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Texas in May. Neither Greensboro, North Carolina-based Fresh Market officials nor Thessing have commented on its Springfield plans. Called for comment today, Thessing and Fresh Market officials again could not be reached.

Currently, the 8-acre Glenstone Marketplace development site behind Target has steel framing for a portion of the retail center. SBJ has observed little construction activity in recent weeks.