Natural Grocers Completes Acquisition of Nature's Pantry; Opens Store in Independence

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Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.

Dec 09, 2014, 09:30 ET

INDEPENDENCE, Mo., Dec. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC) has closed its previously announced agreement to acquire most of the assets of natural foods retailer Nature's Pantry, Inc. in Independence, Missouri. The transaction closed on December 7, and Natural Grocers began officially operating as a Natural Grocers store on December 8. The store is located at 19019 E. 48th Street in Independence.

Natural Grocers plans to continue building on Nature's Pantry's success and provide the Independence community with healthy, affordable natural and organic groceries – a mix of national brands, as well as locally-grown, -raised and -manufactured products from Missouri – in a small-store format and friendly environment. Similar to Nature's Pantry, the family-run Natural Grocers was built on the premise that "consumers should have access to affordable, high-quality foods and dietary supplements, along with nutrition knowledge, to help support their own health."

"We are excited to be the newest 'neighbor' in a community such as Independence, which is very food- and health-oriented," said Kemper Isely, co-president of Natural Grocers and a member of the founding family. "We have the same high standards and values that customers have come to expect from Nature's Pantry – with additional opportunities to bring meat, produce and dairy from Missouri producers, as well as offer extensive, free, science-based nutrition education programs for making informed health and nutrition choices."

Currently, Natural Grocers has 91 stores in 15 states, employing more than 2,000 people. As consumers increasingly seek out healthy, affordable shopping choices, Natural Grocers continues to expand its geographic footprint nationwide. The Independence location is one of 18 Natural Grocers stores opening in fiscal year 2015.

A series of grand opening celebrations will kick off the New Year. Celebratory and educational activities – cooking discussions, nutrition classes, food tastings – featuring knowledgeable nutrition experts, will take place in the Independence store and include the following:

Jan. 10: Block Party/Local Product Fair
Jan. 17: Gluten-Free Health Fair
Jan. 24: Organic Fair – Naturally GMO Free + So Much More
Jan. 31: Paleo Fair

The Natural Grocers in Independence will be open 7 days a week. For more information, please visit the Independence store website, http://www.naturalgrocers.com/store-locations/independence.

About Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage
Founded in Colorado by Margaret and Philip Isely in 1955, Natural Grocers was built on the premise that consumers should have access to affordable, high-quality foods and dietary supplements, along with nutrition knowledge to help them support their own health. The family-run store has since grown into a successful national chain with locations across Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming, employing over 2,000 people. Although the company went public in July 2012, Isely family members continue to manage the company day to day, building on the foundation of their parents' business. Natural Grocers' popularity and success can be traced back to its founding principles: dedication to providing science based nutrition education, exceptional customer service, the highest quality natural and organic products at affordable prices, supporting their communities and providing great jobs with excellent benefits and a living wage to their employees.