Natural Grocers will open its second store in Tucson on Sept. 8 at 6320 N. Oracle Road.
Doors will open after a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:55 a.m. The first 60 people will receive gift cards ranging in value from $5 to $100.
Customers can also enjoy music by Mariachi Alegre, food tastings, cooking demonstrations and nutrition classes.
Special events are also planned for Saturdays through Oct. 3, including a healthy living fair.
The new organic grocery store will be the chain’s 101st location in the country and its sixth in Arizona, officials said.
Since 2011, the Colorado-based company has almost doubled its number of stores. It has locations in 17 states and plans to open an additional 23 stores in fiscal year 2016, said spokesman Jeremy Jones.
“There’s just been a growing demand over the last few years by customers really wanting a better choice and more options when it comes to natural and organic products,” he said. “Some people refer to it as a trend but we prefer to call it a movement by people who are really concerned about what they’re putting in their bodies.”
The store — which also features a supplement and body-care department, pet-food and household goods — does not sell any products with artificial flavors, coloring, sweeteners, preservatives or hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, officials said.
It sells 100 percent organic produce and all stores have a nutritional health coach on staff ready to offer free advice.
The company had said it expects to open two more stores in Tucson over the next year. A previously reported location at Broadway Village Shopping Center at East Broadway and North Country Club Road is still planned but no opening date has been set, officials said.
