While the coronavirus pandemic has inflicted massive losses for many businesses, one area of retail that has surged has been grocery stores and the First Coast has reflected that trend into the holidays.
That increase in business isn’t solely because of a slick marketing campaign by grocers. It is due in large part because grocery stores have become essential businesses. Many people who aren’t going many other places see the retail food outlets as more akin to a public service than just places to get food.
“As soon as COVID hit, grocery stores became the No. 1 place people went to consume meals versus a fast, casual restaurant,” said Aaron Gottlieb, owner of Native Sun Natural Foods Market on North Third Street in Jacksonville Beach.
The former Native Sun Natural Foods Market in Baymeadows sold for $2 million Dec. 16, the former chain’s final property sale.
SDG Pet Properties LLC, led by Forever Vets Animal Hospital owner Dr. Shashidhar Gallipalli, was the buyer. Native Sun owner Aaron Gottlieb sold the property at 11030 Baymeadows Road through EAG Holdings LLC.
The 19,724-square-foot building sits on 1.83 acres at Baymeadows Road and Interstate 295.
Native Sun owner Aaron Gottlieb.
Forever Vets is a veterinary chain with nine locations in Northeast Florida.
The Native Sun chain closed in August 2019, citing an overcrowded grocery market. In January, Native Sun announced plans to reopen its Jacksonville Beach store and sell its locations in Baymeadows and Mandarin.