Store to undergo significant remodel, open in late April
Lillian's Natural Marketplace in downtown Gresham is closing effective Sunday, March 31 and will reopen later in April under a new name and with new management.
The store was very successful in meeting the needs of those customers who exclusively use natural and organic products, said Dwight Unti, manager of Natural Food Associates LLC, owner of Lillians Natural Marketplace. But the depth of this niche in Gresham proved to be too small to sustain the business in its current format.
Lillians opened its doors in August 2010, with products aimed at customers who favored organic goods. The store was one of the first businesses in the downtown area to feature outdoor dining, with bistro tables on the corner of Northwest Miller Avenue and Third Street. During the Farmers Market season, Lillians frequently held childrens activities and product sampling.
Unti said the store will undergo significant changes in the coming weeks and will reopen under the name Central Market and Kitchen. The new market will feature a more diversified mix of food products, with an emphasis on fresh and local offerings. A planned kitchen cove indoor seating area will have a selection of freshly made sandwiches, small plate dishes, as well as an assortment of local beer and wine.