WILMINGTON "“ Sprouts Farmers Market will open its first Delaware store off Concord Pike on March 11, the natural and organic food grocer announced Monday, Dec. 16.

Sprouts will be taking over the space at 4801 Concord Pike next to the Concord Mall left vacant by the exodus of the longtime Barnes and Noble location there to a smaller space in the Concord Square Shopping Center to the south.

[caption id="attachment_171498" align="alignright" width="300"] Sprouts Farmers Market will open its Wilmington store on March 11. PHOTO COURTESY OF SPROUTS[/caption]

Details about the grand opening celebration for the more than 30,000-square-foot store will be announced at a later date, officials said.

"The Wilmington Sprouts marks the newest location in our eastern expansion and follows the tremendous success of our nearby Philadelphia store," said Dan Croce, senior vice president of store operations for Sprout, in a statement. "We're looking forward to serving our new neighbors in Wilmington and nearby Chester and Delaware Counties with healthy groceries at great prices."

The Phoenix-based company has about 340 locations nationwide, although they are primarily located on the West Coast and in the Southwest. The nearest stores currently open are in Philadelphia; Marlton, New Jersey; and Bel Air, Maryland. Along with Delaware, it is opening new stores in Pennsylvania and Maryland in coming months.

[caption id="attachment_171836" align="alignleft" width="300"] Sprouts Market will fill the spot left by the departure of Barnes & Noble. | DBT PHOTO BY JACOB OWENS[/caption]

The Wilmington location will employ about 140 in either full- and part-time positions. The company is hosting two hiring fairs on Jan. 23 and 24, both from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Doubletree Wilmington located at 4727 Concord Pike in north Wilmington. Applicants are encouraged to bring a copy of their resume and will have the opportunity to speak directly with the Sprouts hiring team about available positions.

The open positions include department managers, assistant department managers and clerks, cashiers, courtesy clerks, backup receiver, administrative coordinator and scan coordinator.

Sprouts has grown quickly in recent years as the demand for natural food grocers has increased, also leading to the growth of competing brands like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, of which the former has a store in nearby Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, and the latter has a store in north Wilmington.

According to its third quarter earnings report, Sprouts total sales have increased 8% compared to 2018. Its total market cap sits at about $2.3 billion.

By Jacob Owens

jowens@delawarebusinesstimes.com