One of the country’s fastest-growing grocery chains appears to be headed to Columbus.
According to reporting from Columbus Business First, Sprouts Farmers Market is planning to take over the former Big Lots space at 1451 W. 5th Ave. near Grandview.
If approved, the store would mark Sprouts’ first location in both Columbus and Ohio.
The Phoenix-based grocer currently operates more than 480 stores across 25 states and has been rapidly expanding throughout the Midwest and Northeast. The company opened 37 new stores in 2025 and plans to add another 40 locations this year.
City permit filings show work is already moving forward at the West Fifth Avenue property.
One recently issued permit references interior alterations to divide the former Big Lots space into two separate retail shell spaces, along with mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work.
According to preliminary site plans filed with the City of Columbus, Sprouts would occupy roughly 27,988 square feet of the building, significantly smaller than the footprint previously used by Big Lots. Grandview Mercantile will continue operating out of the eastern portion of the property.
For longtime Columbus residents, the site already has a deep grocery history. Before Giant Eagle operated there for about a decade, the building was home to Big Bear. Big Lots moved into the space in 2017 after Giant Eagle closed in 2014.
The Fifth Avenue location has also spent years at the center of Trader Joe’s speculation, with many locals convinced the popular chain would eventually open there. News of Sprouts moving in sparked immediate reactions online from shoppers excited to see another grocery option enter the Columbus market.
Sprouts is known for its focus on organic produce, natural foods, gluten-free products, vitamins, and wellness-focused grocery items.
The chain has built a loyal following in other cities thanks to its large produce section, prepared foods, and health-conscious product selection.
The company has not publicly announced an opening timeline for the Columbus location or its Ohio expansion plans. But with permits filed and plans under review, it looks increasingly likely that Columbus shoppers may soon get their first Sprouts Farmers Market.
