Permit indicates Fresh Market on its way, but company mum

After closing all of its Missouri stores in May, The Fresh Market Inc. cast doubt on a planned grocery at the Glenstone Marketplace LLC development in Springfield.

But a city of Springfield building permit filed July 25 indicates the company still has plans for the Queen City. The permit for 3333 S. Glenstone Ave., Ste. 140, states it’s a “tenant finish” for a new Fresh Market grocery store. Company officials, however, are staying mum on the subject.

“In order to provide more flexibility in developing the company’s long-term growth strategy, The Fresh Market has re-evaluated the timing of its new store opening announcements,” company officials said in a statement provided to Springfield Business Journal. “The Fresh Market is continuously reviewing its investment priorities, which often results in shifting opening dates. As such, the company does not plan on projecting or speculating on specific store opening timing prior to construction start.”

At the South Glenstone development, the shell of one building has been erected. It’s unclear if the building is for The Fresh Market or prospective tenants, and Glenstone Marketplace developer Brad Thessing could not be reached for comment by deadline.

The Greensboro, N.C., upscale grocery chain announced plans late last year to occupy 21,000 square feet at Thessing’s $10 million, 100,000-square-foot Glenstone Marketplace.

Last year, the vacant Howard Johnson hotel, a former Clarion Hotel, was demolished to make way for Glenstone Marketplace. Thessing, along with Kevin Guffey of central Missouri-based American Realty & Development, purchased the property in May 2015 for an undisclosed price from Jim D. Morris.