The popular family-owned grocery chain founded in Sarasota County is expanding again.
Detwiler’s Farm Market announced Monday that it plans to open its eighth — and largest — store in North Port, a move President Sam Detwiler said was driven by years of customer requests on social media.
“North Port has been the number one most requested site for Detwiler’s to come for probably seven to 10 years,” Detwiler told the North Port City Commission at an economic development update workshop.
Every time Detwiler’s would post on new openings, such as the store that is slated to open this fall in Braden River Plaza on State Road 64 in Manatee County, Detwiler said about 1,000 people would post comments asking for the grocer to expand into North Port.
“We needed the right location and we weren’t able to find it until now,” Detwiler said. “We are stoked to be able to come here.”
Company founder Henry Detwiler Sr. echoed his son’s enthusiasm in a prepared statement, then added, “This location is especially meaningful because it allows us to design and build from the ground up, creating our largest store yet and an experience that truly reflects who we are.”
Where will the new Detwiler’s be located?
Detwiler’s planned 52,000-square-foot store will anchor a new 35.1-acre commercial center at 5001 North Sumter Boulevard, in the northwest quadrant of the Interstate 75 interchange with Sumter Boulevard.
Earlier in the meeting, Tae Shin, CEO of the Sentinel Fund, an Orlando-based commercial and residential development group, explained that he first learned about the city in 2023 from North Port Development Services Director Alaina Ray, who was staffing a booth for the city at the Innovating Commerce Serving Communities event in Las Vegas.
“I said, ‘Where’s North Port? I never heard of it,’” Shin recalled. “She then proceeded to educate me on all the benefits and the growth, the dynamic growth of North Port.”
Shin and the Sentinel Fund purchased the acreage for $11 million in June.
Detwiler’s will be the main tenant for what Shin called a “family-friendly dining and shopping experience on the northwest corner of I-75 and Sumter Boulevard.”
Sentinel Fund is negotiating with several national chains for other spots at what would be the first commercial development on Sumter Boulevard north of the interstate.
The site plan shows at least three other businesses in the phase that will include Detwiler’s and several other potential outparcels.
The projected opening for Detwiler’s is late 2028, which is the same time frame Sarasota Memorial Health Care System anticipates opening the first 100 beds of its $507 million hospital campus at that same interchange.
“I think our center is going to complement Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s economic impact in North Port by creating hundreds of jobs and by helping to keep North Port dollars in North Port, so the citizens aren’t leaving North Port to spend their money for family entertainment for dining experiences,” Shin said.
What’s unique about Detwiler’s Farm Market?
Detwiler’s Farm Market started as a roadside produce stand in 2002 with an “Eat Fresh for Less” motto.
The family business opened its first brick-and-mortar store in 2009 and has expanded to include seven stores — once the Braden River location opens.
It also opened a new 133,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution facility that serves as the home office last September.
Stores offer quality fresh produce, seafood and meat, as well as baked goods at competitive prices.
Each store features an ice cream shop where customers can stop for a sweet treat either before or after shopping.
Detwiler said that the new store will likely bring 125 to 150 new jobs to North Port and noted that the grocer pays well, and typically supplements that with bonuses four times a year.
“Our goal is not to come to a community and see what we can take, but it’s to see what we can give,” he added. “As my dad says, we should be proud to be humble.”
“Our mission at Detwiler’s is to glorify the Lord in all that we do and to give customers the world’s best farm market experience,” he added. “And we hope that we can do that for this community.”
Earle Kimel primarily covers local governments in Sarasota County as well as land development and environmental issues for the Herald-Tribune. Follow him on Facebook, and X. He can be reached by email at earle.kimel@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Popular Sarasota grocery store announces biggest expansion yet
Reporting by Earle Kimel, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Earle Kimel, Sarasota Herald-Tribune | USA TODAY Network
