Nature Ripe to occupy vacated Farmer Jack site

An article by Leslie Shepard    6 Comments

The city of Walled Lake is rolling out the welcome mat to a new independent grocery store that will be moving into the former Farmer Jack space in the Maple Commons Shopping Center at the corner of North Pontiac Trail and East West Maple.

Nature Ripe Produce, “The Fresh Market Place,” is a family–owned business featuring a fresh market niche, akin to upscale independent groceries such as Nino Salvaggio and Plum Market. The new market will provide a wide array of local and regionally sourced items such as fresh meat, artisan baked breads, prepared foods, flowers, imported beers, ethnic cuisine and hand-picked produce.

“Nature Ripe Produce will carry over 25,000 items with an emphasis on specialty items and imported beers,” said Operations Manager Doug Thomas. “We have a unique ability to purchase produce directly from the fields, and this will allow us to pass along the savings to our customer while offering the freshest produce possible.”

The market will be opening before Easter. It plans to begin hiring 50 or more employees over the next few months.

The 45,000-square-foot former Farmer Jack closed up shop about six years ago. Since that time numerous interested parties have looked at the site before Nature Ripe stepped up. Right now lease negotiations are under way and expected to be resolved soon.

“We are all very excited,” said Walled Lake Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Executive Director Charlene Long. “A lot of people looked at the property for many different purposes, but the community really wanted a grocery store so we’re happy this independent grocery is taking the whole space.”

“We have heard from many Walled Lake residents of their desire for a fresh foods produce market within walking distance of their homes and we are excited to be able to fulfill that need,” Thomas said.