Sprouts Farmers Market — Attraction in Largo

ETA: In addition to the below incident, while at the meat and deli counter, I asked for 1 lb of their uncured bacon. The man asked me "Why do PEOPLE order uncured bacon?" ... I paused before answering, as I am not all PEOPLE and I can not answer for them, "I don't know about other people, but I have a condition in which I go into anaphylavtic shock from preservatives as well as most foods. Bacon that has only been cured with salt is fine. I have to carry an Epi pen in case." So we had a conversation about why it's life threatening for me... I did not realize until I arrived home that he packaged the wrong bacon!? How? We had an entire conversation about it. I now have a pound of bacon that will kill me, literally. My airway closes completely from this, and has many times. This effect is proven and accurate from past emergency hospitalizations. I am in shock at the negligence, especially with the evidence of the importance having been discussed.

I had a horrible and bizarre experience here today that has ruined my entire day and beyond. A customer accidentally left a cooler door open. Out of kindness so that Sprouts does not waste power with a cooler door left open, I closed it for him. I did a favor for them that I did not have to do, no biggie, I walked on my way. Then an incredibly angry young male employee yelled at me from behind me. He began with yelling "REALLY!?" I did not think he was speaking to me as I did not see him. He was not using the cooler, a customer had left it open by mistake. The employee was upset that I tidied up after someone else for them? This employee began yelling and insulting me, then accusing me of trying to ruin their products, and he went on and on and on, on this tirade at me. There were other employees standing around watching this but saying nothing. There were also at least 4 other customers that came around to stand and watch this man yell at me and said nothing. It made no sense. It was like everyone was watching a TV show by not caring or responding.

Then, I was in line at the checkout. That employee who yelled at me after I showed them kindness followed me up to the register where I was being rang up several minutes later. He looked at me in a very childish judgemental way to try to intimidate me. What the heck? Why does someone with this behavior work in a customer centric industry, a grocery store?

I am still in shock by what happened and why, over closing a cooler door that a different customer accidentally left open, to save the store on energy costs and to tidy up. I'm shocked that Sprouts employees watched and took no action. I'm shocked that Sprouts hires and keeps employees like this around.

It was incredibly bizarre. I can't...

Let me tell you this—Sprouts ain’t your average grocery store.

I walk in, right? Just lookin’ to grab some organic bananas and maybe a probiotic or two, and BOOM—I see this guy. Big Chris. Muscles like a Greek statue, calves like Thanksgiving hams. I’m talkin’ tree trunks, baby. We call him Chrissy the Calves ‘cause the man looks like he could sprint through a brick wall and ask if you needed help with your almond milk after.

Let me tell you this—this guy don’t walk, he glides. He’s movin’ through the aisles like a damn ballerina. One second he’s lifting a pallet of avocados, the next he’s restocking oat milk with the finesse of a Michelin chef plating caviar.

I’m watching this man rearrange a produce display with such precision, I’m in tears. I called my cousin Tony and said, “Tone, forget about Costco, we got a Picasso in aisle 3.”

Let me tell you this—if there was a Hall of Fame for grocery store employees, Chris would be the Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, and Gordon Ramsay all rolled into one. Call Guinness. Seriously. Somebody call Guinness. World records are being shattered every time this man lifts a watermelon.

If you go to Sprouts and you don’t see Big Chris, you better turn around and go another day. This man is the main attraction. Sprouts? 10/10. Chris Nicholson? Infinity outta 10.

Let me tell you this—he ain’t just a grocery store employee. He’s a...

I had such a great experience at sprouts the other day! I don’t typically write reviews but I felt compelled to do so. I was greeted by friendly staff that seemed to genuinely enjoy being at work which was refreshing. Had the pleasure of chatting with manager Chris Nicholson during my visit, he was inviting, patient, professional friendly and helpful. I was specifically looking for ingredients for an overnight oats recipe and he guided me in the right direction with a great sense of humor and willingness to be as helpful as possible. I moved down here from the northeast where employees who are paid to be of service are typically grumpy and miserable, and WOW what a difference it was the other day at sprouts. It seems to me as though the staff has a great thing going in this store! Will be returning in the...