Ruby’s, Lucky’s lead health grocer plans

Organic, local, natural – all words that now characterize healthy food, and as trends around the nation continue to move in the direction of healthy eating, more grocery stores are jumping on board.

This year, two new health food stores are scheduled to open in town: Ruby’s Market by locally based Pyramid Foods at 2843 E. Sunshine St. and Lucky’s Market in the developing Glenstone Marketplace, 3333 S. Glenstone Ave.

But they’re not the only ones: MaMa Jean’s Natural Foods Market LLC has been in the mix since 2002, with three full-line markets and one market and deli combo, and Homegrown Food at 607 S. Pickwick Ave. reopened in July after a short hiatus. Aldi, a nationwide grocery store known for its relatively cheap prices, has three stores in the Springfield market offering a variety of organic, local and natural food products.

“So much has happened over the last few years that I’m not sure people have the confidence and trust level of mass market production like they did,” said MaMa Jean’s co-owner Susie Farbin, of the U.S. food industry. “There seems to be always some kind of recall or problem every time you turn around.”

Ruby’s Market is Pyramid Foods’ natural store concept opening in 30 to 45 days under store director Jeff Moore. It will stock a variety of products from local vendors, such as The Date Lady, Sneaky Greens, Sweet Girl Bath and Body, and Mexican Villa.

“We add to the list daily,” said Rob Marsh, Ruby’s vice president of sales and merchandising. “If they fit the criteria and their product has the attributes we’re looking for, then they’re being placed in the store.”

Ruby’s motto is “Good Food for All” and with it, it aims to make healthy living affordable for consumers. Education also will be part of the store. Marsh said customers can take home informational pamphlets, and signage and TVs will display the available foods, the health benefits and new ways to prepare.

The 54,000-square-foot store also will include a Starbucks cafe; a produce section in which customers can choose their own produce and have it cut; on-site butchers and a selection of smoked meats; an in-house pizza oven where customers can grab a slice of pizza while shopping or take home for the family; an in-store bar with beer, wine and kombucha on tap; a sushi and salad bar; bakery; and indoor and outdoor seating for dining. Pyramid Foods officials have declined to disclose the investment in the store, a renovated Dillons.

Lucky’s Market is rolling the dice on Springfield, in space once planned by health food chain competitor Fresh Market.

The Boulder, Colorado-based Lucky’s natural foods store recently signed on as a tenant to occupy 28,000 square feet of the 100,000-square-foot, $10 million planned Glenstone Marketplace. It will be replacing Fresh Market, which recently backed out of the development upon closing multiple stores.

Ben Friedland, Lucky’s vice president of marketing, said an opening date is dependent on the construction schedule, but officials expect store completion in the third or fourth quarter. While Glenstone Marketplace developers said in May they anticipated a winter 2016 opening, construction is well behind schedule.

The Lucky’s Market in Springfield would be the chain’s fourth in Missouri. After marking success in Colombia, Ellisville and Rock Hill, Friedland said Springfield seemed to be the right next step.

“The national food industry is growing year after year,” he said, declining to disclose the local planned investment. “People are becoming much more conscious of what they’re putting in their food and what they’re putting in their bodies.”

According to the report, “United States Organic Food Market Forecast and Opportunities 2018,” organic sales were expected to grow 14 percent between 2013 and 2018. And a 2014 Gallup poll indicated 45 percent of Americans “actively try to include” organic foods in their diets.

At the 23 Lucky’s stores in operation, Friedland said 98 percent of the products are natural or organic. Both the Lucky’s and Ruby’s stores plan to sell locally sourced food and have the beer, wine and kombucha bar.

Lucky’s, which is minority owned by The Kroger Co., also takes steps to connect with the community by committing to reinvest 10 percent of its private-label product purchases.

Farbin, who opened MaMa Jean’s first store at 1727 S. Campbell Ave., said she welcomes the competition.

“One of the reasons that other food stores are attracted to Springfield is because of MaMa Jean’s,” Farbin said. “We’re all for more stores being natural and organic. It’s better for people; it’s better for the environment.”

[[In-content Ad]]