Despite having a growing population and hosting over 700,000 visitors each year, there are just two grocery stores in Fruita, Colorado. There is one traditional grocery store, and a smaller, charming speciality grocery store downtown.
The main grocery store in town is an older, smaller, seemingly always-packed City Market. Despite its age and small footprint, it is pretty convenient, being located right in the heart of town, and just a stone’s throw from the I-70 exit.
While there are constant rumors of a new, or larger grocery store/Super Wal-mart coming to the west end of the valley, as it stands now, City Market remains the only traditional grocery store in Fruita.
City Market in Fruita, CO.
City Market is part of the national Kroger family of stores, meaning you can use your out-of-state Kroger value card here.
As the only larger grocery store in Fruita, its small parking lot is often full. Inside, the narrow aisles are often packed, with not only Fruita locals shopping there, but the numerous tourists, as well as residents to the west in Loma and Mack, who have no other closer options available.
As such, on a typical weekend morning, you’re likely to be sharing the crowded aisles with lycra-attired mountain bikers and cowboy-hat wearing locals alike. They do offer curbside pick-up, and the store is open every day until 11 PM.
And while it’s small, (just 27,000 square feet), the Fruita City Market is a full-service grocery store, complete with fresh fruits and vegetables, a deli, floral department and pharmacy. And being on the small side, at least it’s not a long haul to find what you’re looking for.
On the downside, you won’t be able to use your Kroger fuel points here, as the Fruita City Market isn’t large enough to host a gas station.
Built in 1979, the store is just steps away from Circle Park, at 135 S. Plum Street, right off the Interstate exit. They open every morning at 6 AM.
Thanks to a recent change in Colorado law, the store sells beer and wine (but no hard liquor).
Hours, Address & Phone
| Sunday – Saturday | 6 AM to 11 PM |
135 S. Plum Street
Fruita, CO. 81521
(858-9506)
Website: City Market Fruita
(On the map below, the black groceries button is the Fruita City Market. The red one is Skip’s Farm to Market)
Fruita City Market Pharmacy Hours & Phone
This store has a full service pharmacy on the right side of the store (as you walk-in) by the cashier stands.
The phone number (different from the main store number), is: 970–858–9508 and hours are as follows:
| Sunday | 10 AM – 5 PM |
| Monday – Friday | 9 AM – 8 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM – 6 PM |
Other
- According to a Daily Sentinel article, Fruita community surveys reveal the lack of better grocery store options to be the number one complaint among Fruita residents.
- Due to being land-locked on a fairly small lot, the option to rebuilt a new store on the site or expand its building size seems infeasible.
- Those looking for more options and willing to drive ten minutes east will find there are 12 grocery stores in Grand Junction.
We’ll cross our finger for a newer, larger grocery store, (mostly like on one of the many commercial parcels available on the south side of I-70). Until then, Fruita visitors and residents alike will have to make do with this smaller, busy City Market as the main Fruita grocery store.
Skip’s Farm to Market
If you’re looking for something maybe healthier, and more local, this 3,000 square foot specialty grocery store is right in the heart of downtown Fruita, on the main drag, E. Aspent Street.
The self-described “year-round farmers’ market” is a charming addition to downtown, and features local fruits, vegetables, meats, breads and more.
You’ll find everything from grab and go salads, to locally-made honey to mushrooms, homemade pies, pasta, chocolates, kombucha made in Palisade, and many other local artisan food items you won’t find at the national retailers.
Hours, Address & Phone
| Monday – Saturday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
211 E. Aspen Avenue
Fruita, CO. 81521
(970) 858-3597
Website: Skips Farm to Market
(By Steve Beauregard. Photos copyright GJFruita.com)