A North Carolina-based gourmet grocer will mark its introduction into Iowa with a new Cedar Rapids store.

The Fresh Market announced in a Sept. 26 news release of plans to open a store at 180 Collins Road in 2014 near Lindale Mall.

The Greensboro, N.C., company focuses on locally sourced products whose stores emphasize customer service-driven atmospheres.

Established in 1982, the company currently operates 144 stores in 26 states and is in the process of further expansion.

A second Fresh Market is targeted for the Elmore Marketplace retail area in Davenport but has yet to break ground.

The Sept. 26 announcement follows recent talks of New Pioneer Co-Op’s intentions to construct a third store.

To date, two market studies have been completed regarding the company’s future endeavors. A first market study, conducted by an independent agency, identified the grocer’s current trade area.

The area in which the majority of its customers reside lie between Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, Cedar Rapids, and Marion.

In an email statement, Jenifer Angerer, the New Pioneer marketing director, said the company is aware of the new competitor.

“We were aware of the Fresh Market’s intentions to open a store in Cedar Rapids prior to its announcement, and we factored that into our planning process,” she said. “It does not impair the capacity of the Cedar Rapids market to support a New Pi store if we were to put one there.”

Additional information regarding New Pioneer’s expansion plans has not come to the forefront since June.

The Fresh Market has not announced an official opening date.

— by Quentin Misiag