news-record.com

GREENSBORO — Hometown grocer The Fresh Market is opening the door to outside investors, contracting with global investment firm Goldman Sachs to explore possibilities.

Throughout the years, the company's owners have been approached by many outside investors who have expressed interest in the operation, according to a statement released by the company Wednesday.

"We continue to post record-breaking results and to sustain an aggressive growth plan in a competitive market due to our distinctive business model and to our employees' unwavering commitment to our customers," the statement reads.

"Because of our strong history, current success and ongoing plans for growing the company, we are in a unique and ideal position right now to consider offers for outside investment," the statement continues. "In order to assess the current opportunity and to streamline the process, we have engaged investment bank Goldman Sachs to advise and assist us in exploring and evaluating a number of opportunities."

The boutique grocer, founded in 1982, is privately held by the Berry family. Neither Brett Berry, the company's chief executive, nor his father, company founder Ray Berry, was available for comment Wednesday afternoon, the company's spokeswoman said.

The exploratory process will take several months, according to the statement. Employees were informed of the decision this week, spokeswoman Drewry Sackett said.

The company, which started with one store on Lawndale Drive, now has 78 locations in 19 states, concentrated in the Southeast, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic.

Contact Lanita Withers at 373-7071 or lanita.withers@news-record.com