Detwiler’s Farm Market, a family-owned grocery chain rooted in the Sarasota area, is planning a new store that will expand its presence in Manatee and Sarasota counties and bring more options to local shoppers. The new location will be situated within Braden River Plaza along State Road 64 in east Manatee County, occupying approximately 43,000 square feet in a space formerly used by Office Depot and, earlier, a Winn-Dixie supermarket. This upcoming opening will mark the seventh store in the regional chain’s portfolio, which already includes multiple locations across Sarasota and Manatee counties.
Founded in 2002 by Henry Detwiler Sr., Detwiler’s began as a small produce operation and has since grown into a multi-store grocery retailer with a reputation for fresh produce, deli offerings, and specialty departments including meat, seafood, bakery items, wellness products, and more. The chain’s existing stores are in east Sarasota, Venice, Palmetto, on Clark Road in south Sarasota, on Lockwood Ridge Road near the Manatee-Sarasota line, and on 53rd Avenue West in Bradenton. Company leadership highlighted that strong customer demand and packed existing locations were key factors in pursuing new space, particularly to accommodate more shoppers in growing residential and commerce areas.
Detwiler’s President Sam Detwiler and CEO Henry Detwiler Sr. have emphasized the family’s commitment to gradual, thoughtful expansion while maintaining the market’s focus on fresh, locally favored products. The Braden River Plaza store is part of a broader phase of growth for Detwiler’s, which recently opened a large new distribution center in Palmetto to support its expanding operations and supply chain efficiency. Developers and local business leaders see the new store as a positive addition to the area’s retail mix, complementing existing tenants and providing residents with greater access to fresh groceries. The location is currently planned to open by fall 2026, with details still being finalized as the project moves toward construction.
Detwiler’s steady growth reflects its role as both a neighborhood grocery destination and a regional employer, with its expansion underpinned by investments in infrastructure and inventory that aim to keep prices competitive while supporting local food availability.
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