Fresh Market to Move into Lithia Crossing

Various stores in Lithia Crossing will be shuffling to new locations to make room for The Fresh Market specialty grocery store in the shopping center on Lithia-Pinecrest Road, south of Bloomingdale Avenue.

Fresh Market announced this month that it plans to open its 35th Florida store in Lithia Crossing.

“We are excited about our continued expansion in the South, and in Florida in particular,” said Randy Kelley, senior vice president of real estate and development for The Fresh Market. “We look forward to building on the success of our other Florida locations, where we have enjoyed a strong and loyal customer base, and to providing customers in Brandon and surrounding areas with the same quality products and excellent customer service.”

Lithia Crossing, managed by Kite Realty of Indianapolis, contains 104,122 square feet of retail space and is anchored by Stein Mart, which occupies 36,000 square feet.

The Fresh Market is slated to move in to several storefronts to the south of Stein Mart, occupying 22,383 square feet of space. The grocery store chain has not announced an opening date. However, Kite Realty is already listing The Fresh Market as a tenant on its website.

While The Fresh Market makes plans to move in, longtime Lithia Crossing businesses like Bleu Salon & Spa and Studio Eyes Optical are making plans to move out to accommodate the new grocery store. Gumballs & Overalls and

Bleu Salon owner Mike Jonson has announced that he’s moving his salon across the street to the Shoppes of Lithia, anchored by Publix. Studio Eyes has not announced a new location.

Founded in Greensboro, N.C., in 1982, The Fresh Market offers fresh, premium products and features an Old-World butcher shop, European delicatessen and bakery.

“From bountiful produce and a full-service meat counter to convenient prepared foods and an in-store bakery,” said Craig Carlock, the company’s president and CEO, “customers will discover that our stores are committed to variety, freshness and value as well as superior customer service.”

The Fresh Market currently operates 129 stores in 25 states including stores in St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Bradenton, Clearwater, Carrollwood and South Tampa.

Hours of operation for the new Valrico store will be Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.