By Martin Kidston/Missoula Current

A grocery chain specializing in organic and natural foods will open in Southgate Mall early next year, joining the list of new venues planned by developers in the evolving Midtown project, the mall announced on Friday.

Lucky’s Market, a specialty grocery chain that features natural, organic and locally grown products, is slated to occupy the former Sears building and open in 2018.

Peter Lambros with Southgate Mall Associates, said the market will serve as a cornerstone of the mall's ongoing redevelopment efforts.

“Southgate is transitioning into a mixed-use town center, which provides daily use services to our neighborhood and our community,” Lambros said. “We looked countrywide for a grocer that provides quality, organic food choices at mainstream price points. We're thrilled to welcome what we consider to be the best grocer in the country.”

Lucky's Market will join the AMC dine-in movie theater as the latest attractions to land in the Midtown district.

The stores are noted for their juice bars and bulk foods, along with their apothecaries, cafes, and beer and wine selection. They also offer a “Sip ‘n Stroll,” providing customers a $2 pint of local beer or a $3 glass of wine to enhance their shopping experience.

“When researching Lucky’s early on, we saw immediately that, like Southgate Mall, they're a company who's passionate about the community they're a part of,” said Tim Winger, the mall's general manager. “We knew immediately they would be a great addition to the Missoula area.”

While the project remains in design, the new Lucky’s Market will include roughly 32,000 square feet and employ approximately 150 people, Lambros said.

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The market plans to offer bacon smoked in-house, homemade sausages, fresh seafood, a large selection of fresh, local produce and a bakery. It also offers meats free of antibiotics and hormones, and ready-to-eat meals, a cheese island with international offerings, and grab-and-go sushi.

“Lucky’s Market is proud of our expansion in Montana with our new Missoula store that will make natural and organic foods more accessible to everyone by offering top-quality foods at affordable prices,” said company founder Bo Sharon.

Sears left Southgate Mall in 2015 and the building was purchased by Southgate Mall Associates. Plans for Lucky's Market represent one of several phases of redevelopment as the property owners look to transform the mall and surrounding land into a new urban center.

Future plans include housing and additional street connections.

Contact reporter Martin Kidston at info@missoulacurrent.com

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