Re: New Sprouts Market in Sunnyvale

[Guest guest]

We also went there yesterday and concur with Victor's observations. I did, though, talk with the operations manager out of Phoenix who was part of the team overseeing the opening. I suggested that having an even greater depth of GF products than they have plus consistently lower prices than Whole Foods would take a lot of business away from the latter. I also said that if Sprouts considered baking a GF bread close to wheat bread in texture and flavor under its brand and at a lower price than the Udi/Kinnikinnick/etc. products they would get huge sales. I said he would take any suggestions or recommendations back to Phoenix.My wife says that she liked the prices in general compared to WF, particularly for the GF SanJ products.By the way, the ground buffalo was

$4.99/lb, but the steaks went as high

as $20+/lb.Now if we can get Mike Gilliland (co-founder of Wild Oats) to open one or more Sunflower Farmers Markets (www.sfmarkets.com) in the area. They are similar to Sprouts, have lower prices than WF, and Gilliland recently got financing to grow his 8-year-old chain to 50 stores in the next 3 years. I called their toll-free number, 1-866-890-8949, and suggested that Silicon Valley would be a great location for a Sunflower Market. If everybody called, maybe that could prompt some consideration. HogleFreelance academic librarianInstructor, online researchEmail: jjhogle@...Web: (under de- and re-construction) www.blueroom.comReality ain't what you think it isArt Graphics & Photographs[http://www.blueroom.com/realityaint.htm]From: Victor Dolcourt <vdolcourt@...> Sent: Thu, June 3, 2010 8:57:39 AMSubject: [ ] New Sprouts Market in Sunnyvale

Yesterday's grand opening of the new Sprouts market in Sunnyvale (Corner of Sunnyvale Ave and El Camino) was insanity. We walked though in the evening; however, the checkout lines were still 45 minutes in length. This morning was very much calmer, and it is definitely worth shopping at Sprouts.

Sprouts has a fairly large food island dedicated to gluten free. Schar and other products are featured. Their baking section is fairly complete with mixes from the companies I've heard of and some I haven't. There is a pretty fair selection of Bob's basic flours (Alas, no sorghum. Still have to go to WFM for that.) They have lots of GF cookies, several types of GF pasta. Look for GF pasta in more than one section of the store. There is also a frozen food case with Udi's pizza shells, Kinnikinnick breads and bagels, Vans and Glutino (if I remember right). GF granola is in another location; however, the store is not that big so it is easy to find things.

The produce looks great, and the meat selection is limited but interesting. Yes, they even have buffalo if you are willing to pay the price.

Vic

Some of the prices are crazy low during the grand opening. Enjoy these for now.

Sprouts is not a replacement for your every day market, but neither is Trader Joe. Sprouts will be competing with TJ for nuts and dried fruits, Whole Foods and Nob Hill for gluten free (really at a different depth), and just about everybody for produce.

The family that owns Sprouts is the second generation of the original owner of Henry's Farm Markets which were quirky and fun.