EdFNJ |
05-28-2023 11:23 AM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by thelegges
(Post 2220855)
Those who weren’t a fan of Earth Fare, aren’t going to be happy with Sprouts. Mainly organic, gluten free items, their own products, small bakery, and deli. One doesn’t grocery shop at a specialty grocery, you pick up what’s needed. Produce and fruit will stay edible twice as long as most grocery
Sale items are less $ than fresh market, I like their bulk section, meat and seafood over Fresh Market. Will they still be here in a year, probably, it’s a chain.
They do have really good pastry and pies.
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Well, Earth Fare was a chain also as was Bed Bath & Beyond and many others. Without CUSTOMERS they won't be there or long. Big mistake (for those outside THE VILLAGES) was no large sign on 466 (just a small sign on a fence which just about totally blocks view of the store). and no direct entrance and not visible from 466. I guess that was one of "The Developers" requirements to be on TV property. Sadly if traffic that drives by doesn't know they are there it will hurt them dearly. From a BUSINESS point of view prospective customers who are randomly driving down 466 need to see you. REALLY surprised they built out that property as they did. Maybe a reason why there are no small businesses opening up in the strip of stores next to it yet. If your locations can't be seen by passersby, all you get is people who read or were told they are there. As good as they are without "by their door" traffic they won't last.
In OUR opinion, produce is great, meat and fish OK (we got some salmon which wasn't as good as the prepackaged stuff from Trader Joes and Aldi). They are (IMO) missing an actual fresh bakery and a large prepared foods dept like Whole Foods has but that isn't their thing. Their "prepackaged fresh" single serving foods are minimal.
They won't survive IN THE VILLAGES selling just good produce and barely any name brand items, they need TRAFFIC and CUSTOMERS. "Once a month" shoppers won't help them.
Everyone said how GREAT it was getting an EARTHFARE and how GREAT their meats were but after the first month or so the place was empty of customers then gone. The Villages isn't like Ocala or Orlando or Gainesville. Way different types of clientele.
If you want 100 varieties of coffee beans or the ability to buy $4 worth of bulk seasonings that will last you a year they have it but they need more than that to survive **HERE** in TV. Really surprises me of the LACK of visibility of the property and lack of easy access. They must have got a bangup deal from "The Developer."
Just my opinion of course and we all have those.
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