Not long ago, spotting a goateed biker in the Kombucha aisle would arouse some notice.
But with demand for cleaner comestibles booming across the board, health food is no longer limited to the Birkenstocks demographic.
The rapid expansion of Sprouts Farmers Market is a testament to the trend — and the chain is now headed right here to St. Johns County in the coming months, according to the Jacksonville Daily Record.
The prominent purveyor of fresh produce and organic foods is setting up at the Shoppes of St. Johns Parkway at 120 Shops Blvd.
The 24,000-square-foot location is currently under construction and will open up in a space formerly occupied by Earth Fare, a lesser-known natural foods grocer.
Sprouts already has stores at the St. Johns Town Center and Jax Beach.
The company originated with Henry Boney, a modest California fruit seller who opened up a roadside stand in San Diego back in 1943. He expanded to several outdoor farmers markets, and his kids opened their first brick and mortar store in 1969.
The family rebranded their venture as Sprouts Farmers Market in 2002 and the company has grown ever since.
There are currently more than 400 locations operating in 23 states.
