SPROUTS BLOOMS

Fresh produce, new jobs heading for West Side in 2018

Fresh produce and new jobs will soon be sprouting on the West Side.

Sprouts Farmers Market on Wednesday announced the opening date for its new location in Albuquerque, as well as plans to hire more than 120 people. On Jan. 31 at 7 a.m., the doors will swing open on the sixth Sprouts to do business in the Duke City.

The health-focused supermarket chain will open a 30,000-square-foot location at 5600 Coors NW in the North Andalucia at La Luz shopping center, creating both full and part-time jobs, Phoenix-based Sprouts announced.

Employment opportunities at the Coors store will include management, coordinator, clerk and cashier positions. Applicants can apply at sprouts.com/careers or call 1-866-925-2396 for non-managerial roles.

Details about the grand opening celebration will be announced at a later date.

The new Sprouts, now under construction at the southeast corner of Montaño and Coors, is part of 30 new locations the chain plans to open in 2018, including in New Mexico, North Carolina, Florida, Arizona and California.

The store sells natural, organic and gluten-free groceries, craft beers and wines. More than 1,800 items are under the Sprouts brand.

Competitors in the organic space include Amazon.comowned Whole Foods. Mainstream grocers, including Walmart, have also been adding organic offerings.

Sprouts now has a total of 280 stores in 15 states, according to regulatory filings.