Shoppers walk into the store when the doors opened at 7 a.m.
A socially-distanced line forms outside of Sprouts Farmers Market at Tamaya Market just before 7 a.m. April 29.
Black squares on the ground showed customers where to stand in line.
4. The line for the store wrapped around the building with about 60 people waiting out front.
An employee counts customers as they enter the store.
The store's self-serve bulk section is packed into bags to keep products from being contaminated.
The produce section at Sprouts.
Lines on the floor show guests where to stand as they wait for check out.
An employee sanitizes the card reader between customers.
The opening of Jacksonville’s second Sprouts Farmers Market was not the celebratory event most grocery stores throw on their first day in business. COVID-19 meant social distancing and other measures.
A line of about 60 people gathered in front of the store just before 7 a.m. April 29 in Tamaya Market. They were six feet apart from each other, with the line wrapping around the shopping center.
There were no free samples or giveaways, like the grocer had for the opening of its The Markets at Town Center location in July.
An employee greeted customers at the door, also counting them so that the store did not exceed its 90-shopper capacity. Another counted customers as they left to keep an updated tally of how many people were inside at a time.
One employee gave out carts at the entry and another sanitized them at the exit.
Despite the restrictions as Sprouts opened its 15th store in the state, Sprouts Regional Director John Hornyak said he was pleased with the turnout.
As of 10:30 a.m., the store reached its 90-person cap at least once. Customers came in steadily since the 7 a.m. opening.
The 30,000-square-foot store is at 12675 Beach Blvd. Hornyak said it eventually would hold a grand-opening ceremony when it is safe to do so. He wants to wait for other tenants to fill the new shopping center so they can take part.
“We do want to present the store to the community here,” he said.
Like other grocers, Hornyak said the store had some trouble finding certain items to stock, such as toilet paper. He was able to find other sought-after products, so there was enough stock for the opening.
Rice, beans, pasta and other staples have been selling quickly since people have been stocking up on “easy pantry items,” he said.
“We were challenged with items and availability, but we also utilized the other stores in the area, one in Jacksonville and one in Tampa, to get product here so we can give a great guest experience,” Hornyak said.
The store provided bagged bulk items because customers weren’t allowed to fill them.
Sprouts hired 110 people to staff the store. Employees are required to wear gloves and masks and sanitize high-touch areas every 30 minutes. Hornyak is not sure how long that will need to continue, but the store will follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
The store also provided vitamin C packets and other wellness items in the break room for employees.
“We’re trying to do everything to make sure our team members are healthy and safe, as are our guests,” he said. “That’s important to us.”
Hornyak said he does not expect to open a third Jacksonville area store this year, but there would be one in the future. He said he did not know where it might be located.
Sprouts is opening a store in Estero in the coming month.
