CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Sprouts Farmers Market, a national grocery chain focused on natural and organic food selections, plans to open its next location in Clarksville.
The specialty grocer has submitted site plans for a 23,299-square-foot store, visible from Interstate 24, near Exit 11 off Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, according to the Clarksville-Montgomery County Economic Development Council. The new store will offer customers access to a curated selection where 60 percent of the inventory consists of organic products. The plans also include an additional 13,600 square feet of additional retail.
“When I’m out in the community talking with residents and business leaders, one of the most frequent requests I hear is for more healthy food options. People want year-round access to fresh, organic groceries without having to drive to Nashville or other markets,” said Buck Dellinger, CEO of the EDC.
“We’re thrilled to help facilitate Sprouts’ arrival in our community. Quality-of-life amenities like premium grocery options are crucial tools in our economic development toolkit; they help us attract new businesses and retain the companies already here by ensuring their employees and families have access to the lifestyle amenities they’re seeking. This is exactly the type of investment that makes Clarksville a more attractive place to live, work, and do business.”
Natural food groceries in Clarksville
Clarksville has had a mixed history with natural food groceries. The biggest attempt was Tree of Life Market, which opened in June 2014. The large grocery was inside the Tree of Life Center, a building at 30 Crossland Ave. that also offered cooking classes and studios for yoga and meditation. The market closed in 2018.
Seasons Market was another sizable grocery that operated at 2091 Wilma Rudolph Blvd. before closing in October 2021. Crunchy Depot is open at 2269 Wilma Rudolph Blvd. with locally sourced health foods.
Sprouts will bring a wholly different dynamic as Clarksville’s first national chain natural foods grocery. They operate 443 stores across 24 states with approximately 31,000 employees, making it one of the largest and fastest-growing specialty grocery retailers in the United States, according to the EDC.
Where will Sprouts be located?
The exact location of the incoming Sprouts has not been announced. However, it is being developed by Brentwood, Tennessee-based GBT Realty, which as of Monday had a Clarksville “grocery anchored center” marketed on its website at 575 Fire Station Road, behind Whataburger, Firestone and Papa John’s. The site is roughly across MLK Parkway from Publix.
“Our partnership with Sprouts has provided GBT with a keen site selection understanding, which Clarksville represents an ideal market for Sprouts’ continued expansion strategy in Middle Tennessee,” said Tim Mondello, VP of Development at GBT Realty. “We’re excited to bring Sprouts’ unique shopping experience and commitment to fresh, natural foods to this vibrant and growing community.”
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GBT has recently developed Sprouts locations in Orlando, Florida; Kyle, Texas; and Burleson, Texas, according to the GBT website.
“The arrival of Sprouts Farmers Market represents a significant milestone for Clarksville’s retail landscape and economic growth,” said Josh Ward, executive director of the Clarksville Industrial Development Board. “This investment demonstrates the confidence national retailers have in our community’s potential and purchasing power. Sprouts’ commitment to bringing fresh, organic, and natural foods to our residents not only enhances our community but also signals to other premium retailers that Clarksville is ready for continued commercial expansion. This is just the beginning of exciting retail announcements we have planned for Clarksville.”
The timeline for construction and opening will be announced following the site plan approval process.
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