Store will be combined with Dick's Bountiful
Fresh Market in Bountiful is closing at the end of business Feb. 9. Its operations will be transferred to the Dick's Bountiful location, employees were told early Wednesday morning. Customers were to be told of the change via banners, etc., to be installed Wednesday afternoon, store officials said.
Both Fresh Market and Dick's are part of the mammoth multi-state Associated Foods cooperative. Public Relations director Jason Sokol said that remodeling will start on the Bountiful Dick's store, which will retain its strong local marquee, within a week. The remodel should be done by spring, he said, and will include an expanded/updated bakery area, a full-service meat counter and a larger seating area near the deli. The produce area will also see an updated look as well, Sokol said. Remodeling should be done by spring.
The Bountiful Dick's will be closed Sundays, following a long-standing tradition that also continued in Centerville. The Fresh Market location on Parrish Lane became the new home for Dick's in mid-July of 2012.
The Bountiful Fresh Market store at 535 S. 200 West is adjacent to the big Smiths Marketplace store. That fact "came into play" in the decision to close the store, Sokol said.
Up to five employees could lose their jobs. Some of those were hired as holiday employees, Sokol said.
Fresh Market was an Albertsons until most Utah stores were purchased by Associated Foods some years ago. The location has served Bountiful for more than 20 years, an Associated Foods press release said.
Negotiations are moving forward "very positively, are looking very good" that an independent retailer will occupy the space, he said. However, he would not give further details and said the company is talking with several businesses.
"I try to stop here whenever I can," said Bountiful resident Marcy Lindsay while at the Fresh Market store on Wednesday morning. "It kind of makes me sad," she said when she heard about the closure.
tbusselberg@davisclipper.com
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