Sprouts to Open First New York Store in Centereach, Creating 92 Jobs

Sprouts Farmers Market confirmed it will open its first New York State store at 1934 Middle Country Road in Centereach, occupying the former LA Fitness space, with a grand opening scheduled for Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. The new store is expected to employ roughly 92 team members and will stage in-store promotions and a pop-up weekend celebration that includes sampling and giveaways.

The arrival of Sprouts adds a national specialty-grocery chain to a busy retail corridor in the heart of Suffolk County. Reusing the vacant LA Fitness footprint converts underused commercial real estate into active retail space, which can help stabilize local property values and increase foot traffic for nearby small businesses. For job-seekers, the announcement translates into dozens of entry-level and supervisory positions in a region where retail and service employment remain important sources of household income.

Sprouts also highlighted community partnerships through its Food Rescue program, with planned donations to Long Island Cares and Island Harvest. Those contributions aim to redirect surplus food toward food-insecure households on Long Island while reducing waste. For local food banks, regular donations from a full-service grocer can ease short-term supply constraints and stretch charitable dollars further.

Local officials and community stakeholders reacted to the news with interest, noting both the immediate employment potential and the broader effects of adding a new grocery option on Middle Country Road. The new store will compete with existing supermarkets and specialty grocers, which could pressure prices and service offerings as retailers vie for shoppers looking for fresh, organic, and value-focused products.

Economically, the move reflects larger retail trends: grocers expanding into suburban markets and repurposing large-format spaces vacated by other chains. For Centereach consumers, that can mean greater product variety and promotional events tied to the store’s opening weekend. Sprouts’ opening promotions and sampling events are designed to attract shoppers and encourage trial, a common tactic that can lift short-term retail sales in the area.

Practical details released with the announcement include plans for promotional offers and store hours tied to the grand opening celebrations; Sprouts has scheduled a pop-up weekend with sampling and giveaways and will work with local charities for ongoing food rescue donations.

For Suffolk County residents, the key takeaways are clear: a new grocery option on Middle Country Road, roughly 92 new jobs, and bolstered food-charity support. Watch for hiring notices from Sprouts and the store’s Jan. 30 grand opening to see how the Centereach retail landscape adjusts in the weeks after opening.