Sprouts Farmers Market is officially coming to Southwood Shopping Center in West Deptford, New Jersey. The store is scheduled to open in Spring 2025, replacing a long-vacant unit once occupied by ALDI. The announcement was confirmed by both the official Sprouts store locator and leasing materials for the property.
So how long had this spot sat empty—and will Sprouts change the tone of the plaza?
Reviving a Classic Strip Center
The Sprouts location will occupy 23,256 square feet at the north end of the shopping center, next to tenants like Ivy Rehab, Gemelle Salon, and AFC Urgent Care. This space was once home to ALDI, which vacated several years ago. Recent leasing materials indicate that the site is part of a broader revitalization effort, with multiple other units now available.
The center has seen limited investment over the years, but Sprouts’ arrival signals a shift. The retail layout remains mostly unchanged since construction, making this a textbook example of how older strip centers are being adapted for modern brands.
Built in 1958—Still in Use Today
The Southwood Shopping Center was constructed in 1958, just as residential growth was accelerating across West Deptford. Historical aerials from 1957 show the site being cleared, and by 1963, the full plaza and parking lot had appeared. Originally surrounded by farmland, the property now sits just off NJ-45 (Mantua Pike), a busy corridor flanked by both commercial and residential development.
With more than 60 years of use behind it, the shopping center remains structurally intact, though tenant turnover has been high. Sprouts’ investment could represent a turning point in bringing more consistent foot traffic to the plaza.
Last Updated on June 21, 2025 by F.E.M