Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, County Councilmembers Evan Glass and Kristin Mink and Sprouts Farmers Market representatives joined community members on Jan. 19 at the formal ribbon cutting to mark the grand opening of Sprouts Farmers Market in Burtonsville. The project has been in the making since 2018 when County Executive Elrich engaged with community members as part of the "Build a Better Burtonsville" initiative.
Also attending the ceremonies were Victor Vasquez, Sprouts 921 Store Manager; David Germakian, EDENS managing director; and Ken Flemmer, East County Citizens Advisory Board.
Sprouts Farmers Market is located at 15793 Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville.
Participants gathered at the store entrance to celebrate the opening, which has been a long-awaited project for Burtonsville.
"Montgomery County welcomes Sprouts to the Burtonsville Shopping Center,” said Marc Elrich. “For the past 10 years, the absence of a major retailer in Burtonsville Crossing has been felt strongly, and I am pleased that Sprouts has chosen our community for its newest location, emphasizing our commitment on redevelopment and improving residents' quality of life. This will be the first Sprouts in the Metro Washington area, making it a destination for shoppers along I-95, Route 198 and Route 29, with the potential to draw people from far and wide. Sprouts has a great reputation for providing fresh and healthy grocery offerings with impeccable customer service. They are a strong anchor for the Burtonsville Crossing Shopping Center and an important addition to our East County community.”
The White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan was approved and adopted in 2014, ending a more than 20-year moratorium on development and creating opportunities for significant developments and transformations in the East County. Plans also are in the works to expand transportation options and increase affordable senior housing.
While progress on those broader goals continues, the opening of Sprouts was a significant step.
The State Board of Public Works played a pivotal role in supporting the redevelopment, providing $3.5 million in funding dedicated to the Burtonsville Crossing Shopping Center.
State Senator Craig Zucker and Delegates Anne Kaiser, Bernice Mireku-North and Pamela Queen, the District 14 legislative delegation, actively advocated for the funding.
“We are very excited to see this grand opening and the positive transformation of this shopping center,” said State Senator Zucker. “We are happy that the State money we helped secure is being invested to benefit the community.”
Along with County Executive Elrich, the County Council has strongly supported economic development in the East County.
"I'm thrilled that Sprouts has recognized Burtonsville as the perfect location for their newest market,” said Councilmember Mink. “This community-oriented company is bringing jobs and healthy food options to our residents. I've already met with Sprouts leadership, who look forward to partnering with local farmers, as well as schools and community-based organizations in District 5, and I'm looking forward to launching those efforts together."
The arrival of Sprouts will create a new phase in Burtonsville's transformation. The County also thanks EDENS, a major real estate company, for helping Sprouts come to the area.
“We are excited to see the next chapter of Burtonsville Crossing unfold. ‘Sprouts’ grand opening marks the beginning of a new era for this shopping center, as we continue to welcome a diverse mix of national, local and community-focused businesses,” said Mr. Germakian. “Through this revitalization, we are delivering a welcoming destination with robust offerings where the community can gather and engage.”
Through Sprouts’ Food Rescue program, the store will donate groceries that are no longer fit for sale, but remain edible and nutrient rich, to Capital Area Food Bank, a local food bank that provides wholesome food to families and individuals at risk of hunger.
The store will be open daily from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. For more information and to sign up to win a pre-opening gift card, visit https://www.sprouts.com/store/md/burtonsville/old-columbia-pike/.
Sprouts, headquartered in Phoenix, is one of the largest and fastest-growing specialty retailers of fresh, natural and organic food in the United States, Sprouts employs approximately 31,000 team members and operates more than 400 stores in 23 states nationwide.