4 specialty grocers coming to the First Coast announce opening dates

As Jacksonville's population booms, specialty grocers are honing in on new areas to capture customers. The last few years have seen record growth for the area, with a second Trader Joe's and second Earth Fare opening in Mandarin in 2017, a third Earth Fare planned and a second area Whole Foods planned. There's even some new players entering the market, like Sprouts and Lucky's Market. Here's what we know about the next specialty grocers opening on the First Coast.

Lucky's Market
Opening: Late May 2019

The new Lucky's Market at 8380 Merchants Way in Oakleaf Station should open in late May or early June, according to a release.  Lucky’s Market opened its Neptune Beach store in December 2016 and has 17 stores in Florida.

Lucky's Market will have fresh produce, ready-to-eat meals, grab-and-go sushi and a new made-to-order ramen bar available to them. Nearly 100 cheese from 10 countries will be sold in-store, along with cold-pressed juices, nitro and a "sip-and-stroll" program. A bulk section and full apothecary department rounds out the store.

The new store will be about 30,000 square feet and employ about 150 people. Lucky's Market is hiring for all positions from April 1 to May 17. The Lucky's expansion is part of an explosion of specialty grocers entering the Jacksonville area or expanding.

By Dahlia Ghabour  – Reporter, Jacksonville Business Journal