Lucky’s Positions Florida in Expansion Crosshairs

Word to Publix: Lucky’s Market is hot on your trail.

The Boulder, Colo.-based natural and organic retailer has signed four more new leases for additional store locations in Florida that are set to open in the next two years in Venice, West Boca, Pensacola and Ormond Beach.

The latest handful of planned new locations in Florida are in addition to the 16 previously announced new stores Lucky’s will debut in Oakleaf, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Naples, Fort Myers, Port Charlotte, Port St. Lucie, Boca Raton, Dania Beach, Cooper City, Hunters Creek, Orlando, Winter Park, Vineland, Colonial Landing and Lake Mary.

As WGB previously reported, Lucky’s Market plans to accelerate its store rollout within the next 18 to 24 months to more than 40 stores from the 30 it currently operates. Its “farmer’s market” style average 26,000 square feet.

All of the specialty grocer’s new stores sport a new interior design scheme, including stained floors, unpainted ceilings and made-to-order ramen bars, the latter of which “have been a huge hit” and which will be a staple in all new stores going forward, company spokeswoman Krista Torvik confirmed to WGB.

“Our Wheat Ridge, Colo., store that is opening on Aug. 8 will be the first to feature a fresh taco bar,” Torvik added.

Related:Lucky’s to Double Store Count With 20 Signed Leases

Other features that are being well received by Lucky’s enthusiasts include a cafe and juice bar, which provide shoppers with a variety of ready-to-eat options made with fresh and often local ingredients.

In addition to the flurry of Florida leases on the books, Lucky’s has several letters of intent signed for other store locations, details for which the company plans to reveal as they becomes available.

Lucky’s Market, which has equity investment backing from The Kroger Co., currently operates 30 stores—13 of which are in Florida—and anticipates its store count by the end of 2018 to total more than 35 locations.