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Wild Oats Health Food Store May Take Over Fresh & Easy
Photo by cafemama on Flickr
Though some Southern California are lamenting the loss of one player in the health food supermarket space, it may be gaining a replacement. Once defunct Wild Oats Markets Inc. is planning a comeback, potentially aided by local billionaire Ron Burkle. And there are talks of them taking over the 200 failed Fresh & Easy spaces.
Says the Times:
The trademark could cover a brand offering retail and online grocery store services, with features such as home delivery, phone-in orders, convenience store items and gasoline, according to the document. The application also described catering and take-out food services... Burkle is no stranger to supermarket deals. The magnate was the largest shareholder of Wild Oats when the brand was sold for $565 million to rival Whole Foods Market Inc. in 2007. Earlier in his career, Burkle handled leveraged buyouts of grocery chains such as Food 4 Less, Ralphs and Fred Meyer.
We just hope the new stores have good parking lots planned. Because we just can't have any more of this going on, can we?
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