Sprouts Farmers Market, the Arizona-based natural foods grocer, will expand its presence in Colorado Springs when it opens its second location March 9 on the city’s far north side.

Construction is wrapping up on a 27,000-square-foot store southeast of Voyager Parkway and North Gate Boulevard; the site is part of Polaris Pointe, a 200-acre retail complex southeast of Interstate 25 and North Gate.

In advance of the store’s opening, Sprouts said Tuesday it will hire 100 full- and part-time employees – including managers, clerks and cashiers.

Applicants were asked to go to www.sprouts.com/careers for more information; job candidates “should share a passion for healthy eating and the fresh, natural and organic products throughout the store,” the chain says.

Sprouts describes itself as “a healthy grocery store that offers fresh, natural and organic foods at great prices.” Among other items, it sells produce, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, packaged groceries, meat and seafood, deli and baked goods, dairy products, frozen foods and household goods.

The Sprouts store at Polaris Pointe also will include olive, juice and salad bars, deli catering trays, fresh sushi and online ordering, according to Sprouts’ website.

The store – about half the size of a typical Safeway or King Soopers – will be Sprouts’ 29th in Colorado. The chain also is opening a location Wednesday in Lakewood.

Sprouts has another Springs store northwest of Academy and Dublin boulevards. A real estate developer also has said the chain plans to build a third store as part of a new retail center southwest corner of Powers Boulevard and Barnes Road, although Sprouts officials haven’t commented on that location.

Sprouts serves growing numbers of consumers who have an interest in natural and organic products. It competes with Whole Foods, Natural Grocers and Trader Joe’s, among others.

The Polaris Pointe retail center where Sprouts will open is anchored by Bass Pro Shops. Other retailers and restaurants that have opened or are planned at Polaris Pointe include Magnum Shooting Center, Ace Hardware, Southern Hospitality Southern Kitchen, a C.B. & Potts restaurant and sports bar and Kneaders Bakery & Cafe.

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