HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016 12-25 Twin Cities getting nearly a dozen more supermarkets in 2017 STAR TRIBUNE
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BUSINESS
Twin Cities getting nearly a dozen more
supermarkets in 2017
Fresh Thyme, Hy-Vee and Aldi are opening multiple locations in the
metro in 2017
By John Ewoldt(http://www.startribune.com/john-ewoldt/10644811/) Star Tribune
DECEMBER 25, 2016 — 8:05PM
In a little over a year, Fresh Thyme Farmers Market went from relative unknown in the
Twin Cities to having locations in Bloomington, Apple Valley, Plymouth, Savage and
Vadnais Heights.
The arrival of the Chicago-based company is part of a broader reshaping of the local
grocery scene that will continue in 2017 as at least three chains add multiple locations.
“Minnesota continues to be an outstanding market,” Fresh Thyme Chief Executive Chris
Sherrell said in an interview. “We’re still hoping for 12 to 15 stores by 2020. Sales are
exceeding expectations by double digits at nearly all locations.”
Next year, the company will open a store in Waite Park, Minn., near St. Cloud, on Jan. 25
and in the Minneapolis suburb of St. Louis Park on July 26.
It plans a Minneapolis store in Prospect Park near the University of Minnesota in 2018.
The St. Louis Park and Prospect Park stores are slated to include liquor stores as well.
Currently, only the Vadnais Heights store includes a separate space for wine, beer and
spirits sales.
Sherrell said the company is still looking for locations in West St. Paul and Coon Rapids
after previous sites fell through. A spot in St. Paul near the former Ford plant is also a
possibility.
With its new stores, Fresh Thyme next year will close in on Trader Joe’s, another
alternative format grocery chain that has seven locations in the Twin Cities.
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KYNDELL HARKNESS, STAR TRIBUNE
Developers continue to struggle to find space to fit the number of supermarket and retail
Gayle and Harry Rohme shopped at the Fresh
chains looking to expand in the Twin Cities. In 2017, Hy-Vee will open in Savage in the
Thyme in Bloomington last year. The grocer is
early spring, Cottage Grove in the summer and Shakopee in the fall. Stores in
hoping to open 15 to 20 stores by 2020,
Farmington, Maple Grove (two locations), Columbia Heights and Robbinsdale are
expected to open after next year.
Aldi’s expansion plans include a Burnsville store opening in late March, a Roseville store
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in June, Maplewood in May, plus several more locations to be announced, all opening in
Fresh Thyme is just one of the grocers planning
2017, said Matt Lilla, vice president of Aldi’s Faribault division. The additional stores
stores in Minnesota next year. Locations in
will bring its Twin Cities’ total to nearly 40 locations.
Waite Park and St. Louis Park are planned.
Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods are coming to downtown Minneapolis and Woodbury,
respectively.
Supermarkets nationwide are expanding their selection or organic and local produce as
production increases and prices have become more competitive.
Cub Foods, which opened new stores in Blaine and Oakdale this year, is enlarging the
space allotted to organics in new stores. It continues to be the dominant player in the
Twin Cities grocery scene with nearly 70 stores, about 20 more than its nearest
competitor, Target.
Fresh Thyme is still seeing excellent growth in organics and locally grown items, when
they’re in season, Sherrell said.
jewoldt@startribune.com612-673-7633
http://www.startribune.com/twin-cities-getting-nearly-a-dozen-more-supermarkets-in-201...12/29/2016