From sex stings to billion dollar corporate takeovers, the Valley’s grocery store aisles are overflowing with intrigue

We know you’re probably tired of hearing about it, but can you believe all the craziness going on in the local grocery store scene? Wait, what’s that? You have a life and have no idea what we’re talking about? Well, here’s a quick recap. The founder of Wild Oats and more recently Sunflower Markets was arrested in a police sting at no-tell motel in West Phoenix and charged with offering $100 to have sex with a 17 year old. Yuck!

Meanwhile, the Valley’s biggest local chain, Bashas’ (which also owns Food City and AJ’s Fine Foods) has been in and out of bankruptcy. Then there’s the mysterious Boise-based chain that’s been quietly gobbling up real estate throughout the Valley. Which sounds like the last thing we need; another competitor in what’s already the most crowded, cutthroat grocery market in the nation. Until you see the recent report that us Arizonan’s are turning into a bunch of fatties, mostly due to the fact that, outside the big cities, we’re fast food-filled wasteland.

Idaho-based Winco has been quietly gobbling up real estate around the Valley, but won't say if, or even when, it plans on opening any stores

So who’s ready to take a stroll down the good-news aisle? It looks like a NY- based investment firm has decided to pour millions of dollars into one Valley grocery chain in hopes of transforming it into a nationwide health-food powerhouse. Founded in Scottsdale in 2002, Sprouts Farmers Market‘s mix of low prices and emphasis on fresh produce, natural meats and you-bag-it bulk goods has proven to be such a hit, that the $58 billion Apollo Global Management has acquired a majority stake in the company. Apollo, which also owns large chucks of companies such as Norwegian Cruise Lines and Caesar’s Entertainment, will help Sprouts open about 10 stores a year as it expands nationwide.

Sounds great and all, but they better not mess with Sprouts’ famed $2.99 deli sandwiches. That’s the only thing standing between us and another fast food pig-out.

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