'Healthy Supermarket' Earth Fare Eyeing Strongsville

Earth Fare, an Asheville, N.C.-based chain that calls itself a "healthy supermarket," is looking to open a store in Strongsville, a company spokeswoman said.

The confirmation comes after weeks of speculation that the company is negotiating for the former Borders site.

However, the company did not specify that it is looking at Borders.

"We are interested in Strongsville and looking in the area, however we do not have plans finalized as of yet," Anastasia Bursenos, a company representative, said in an e-mail.

Earth Fare operates 21 stores in six states -- including Fairview Park and Fairlawn -- and offers natural foods like local and organic fruits and vegetables. The store also has a full-service meat, poultry and fish department.

It does not carry any items containing high-fructose corn syrup, trans fats, artificial colors and sweeteners, or synthetic growth hormones in meat and milk.

Strongsville Patch has received a number of tips from readers about Earth Fare moving into the former Borders store on Royalton Road.

Other residents have said they heard a Trader Joe's food store is interested in the site.

Economic Development Director Brent Painter said in January  and said the plaza's real estate agent was in lease negotiations at that time.

Painter said this week he has no new information about who is looking at the Borders store and is not involved in the leasing process.

Borders closed in September after the company declared bankruptcy and liquidated its assets.