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Thank you for contacting us.
We appreciate your interest in our company.

Henry’s is searching for sites in all of California.

We don’t have anything breaking ground in Santa Clarita at this time
but, we are always looking at potential real estate for future growth.

Of course, we are anxious to serve this area, and hope to secure the
right location in the near future.

Sincerely,

David Vine
Director of Real Estate
Henry’s Farmers Market

Thank you again,

Erika Maring
Customer Service
Henry’s/Sun Harvest
HenrysInfo@henrysmarket.com
15420 Laguna Canyon Rd. Ste;150
Irvine, Ca. 92618
877-743-6797

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As a follow-up, you know when I walk into either Henry’s or Sprouts, their stores are bright, lively and fun to shop in. I usually find some kind of new product to try, and their employees are friendly!

To me, Sprouts is really a carbon copy of Henry’s, but both are fine stores. I attribute the similarities of Sprouts to the legacy of the Boney family when they owned and operated Henry’s.

When I walk into either Whole Foods, Bristol Farms or even Gelson’s (none in Santa Clarita), I feel as though I am not receiving real value for my money, organic or not. Yes, Whole Foods does have a private label organics line, but they are still more expensive as compared to the big chains and their private label organics.

In Santa Barbara, a few years ago before Albertsons was acquired by Supervalu, they acquired a one-store operation by the name of Lazy Acres.
http://www.lazyacres.com.

Albertsons placed Lazy Acres under Bristol Farms management, but has basically left the store alone.

At Lazy Acres, it’s as if you are shopping at a world bazaar, and left with a good feeling that you’re not being fleeced by the prices, unlike their corporate sister, Bristol Farms.

Lazy Acres would be a great fit for Santa Clarita, but so would Henry’s, Sprouts, and for that matter, another Trader Joe’s and Costco on the westside, and for those who are price sensitive, Winco Foods.

In my opinion, Supervalu would do well by converting the Valencia Bristol Farms location into Lazy Acres, and recreate the store as a true destination, instead of just another overpriced store that is not compelling enough to shop at (Bristol Farms). We have enough of those.

My mantra is that it shouldn’t bankrupt you to eat healthy! That’s why I’m a cheap retail slut…lol

SO_CAL_RETAIL_SLUT

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BTW, I did ping the city about this and they predictably didn’t respond. No time to actually…you know…visit City Hall

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That in itself should provide the answer.

The p.r. hack at Henry’s/Smart &Final gave you an answer that any company would if they are not ready to make an announcement.

Most companies keep information keep information like that to themselves for competitive reasons. Often times, information on a new business can be had from City Hall, as most is public record.

The “tea leaves” in the the retail slut world show the space as Sprouts Farners Markets.

Sprouts owners sold Henry’s to what was then Wild Oats who was acquired by Whole Foods who then sold Henry’s to Apollo Capital who merged it with Smart & Final.

It is strange when discussing Fresh & Easy that up to this point, they have not announced any plans for store locations in the Santa Clarita or Antelope Valleys. Ironically, they have announced or have opened stores in just about every area of the Los Angeles area, including Ventura County, Inland Empire, Desert Cities, High Desert and San Diego County. Even Bakersfield, Delano and portions of the central coast have seen Fresh & Easy open, but not in Santa Clarita.

I still say once the legal wrangling between Tresierras and the developer is finished, the what was supposed to be new Tresierras spot would be perfect for Fresh & Easy. That area of south Newhall lacks a market of decent size near those neighborhoods.

In many ways, Santa Clarita is luckey to have so many chains competing for everyones food dollars. The downside is, some of the locations are not performing.

Now, look at Supervalu-owned and sister to Albertsons Bristol Farms on Newhall Ranch. The store is practically empty of customers. I wonder how long Supervalu holds out before pulling the plug?

As for Henry’s and Sprouts, their prices are generally lower than Whole Foods and Bristol Farms.

Fresh & Easy is in another category, but not the same as Trader Joe’s (although frequently compared to TJ’s), and with lower overall prices than chain store competitors.

Sprouts is my bet to take a portion of the former Mervyn’s space.

Let’s see who wins this contest, the liberal blogger, or the retail slut…lol

P.S. Watch for Safeway to quietly change the remaining Pavilions stores to Vons in early 2010. The ads have already been combined.

SO_CAL_RETAIL_SLUT

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