First Sprouts Farmers Market in New York slated to open in Centereach

By Heidi Sutton

2025 is starting out as a year of firsts. The first Wegmans on Long Island officially opened in Lake Grove on Feb. 26. Now the first Sprouts Farmers Market in New York Slate is heading to Centereach. The supermarket will occupy the former L.A. Fitness at 1934 Middle Country Road which closed its doors on Jan. 28. The shopping center also houses a Harbor Freight and an AutoZone.

Town of Brookhaven Councilman Neil Manzella made the announcement on Facebook on Feb. 22. 

“Through many discussions with the property owner, and their representatives, I am excited to finally announce that a Sprouts Farmers Market will be joining our community. Though personally unfamiliar with Sprouts, those who are have described it as a blend between Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. As with any business, the community will ultimately decide if it is a success or failure, but I, for one, am thrilled to see a new business come to the area,” he said.

Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the supermarket chain operates more than 415 stores in 23 states and has been expanding at a rapid pace. “… We are eager to expand into more communities. We are dedicated to expanding our banner with over 110 approved new stores in the pipeline over the next few years,” said CEO Jack Sinclair in a recent statement.

Specializing in natural, organic and gluten-free foods, the grocer touts a farmers market experience with an open layout featuring fresh produce at the center of the store along with meat, seafood, dairy, vitamins and wellness items. 

In addition to Amazon Fresh which opened in East Setauket last October and Wegmans which opened in Lake Grove on Feb. 26, Sprouts will be joining several other supermarkets planned for the area including an Aldi in the former King Kullen on Ronkonkoma Avenue in Ronkonkoma, an Aldi in the former Michael’s Crafts in Medford on Route 112, and a Trader Joe’s on Route 25A in Miller Place next to Walgreens.  Plans for an Amazon Fresh in Farmingville have been scrapped.

While there is no official opening date, Councilman Manzella said that a representative from Sprouts told him they expect to open in the fall of this year. Comments on the councilman’s Facebook page were mostly positive, with many familiar with the supermarket stating that it will be “a fantastic addition to the community.”