North Port is getting a grocery heavyweight. Detwiler’s Farm Market plans to open a 52,000‑square‑foot store at the northwest corner of Sumter Boulevard and I‑75, a build that will be the family grocer’s largest location so far. The ground‑up store is scheduled for a fourth‑quarter 2028 debut and is expected to bring roughly 125 jobs to the area.
Site and developer
According to the City of North Port, Detwiler’s has signed a lease for a 35‑acre parcel at 5001 N. Sumter Blvd that will anchor a new retail center from developer Sentinel Fund. The city notes that the site‑plan application is under review by staff and pegs the store’s footprint at 52,000 square feet.
Family‑first expansion
Detwiler’s leadership is framing the North Port move as a family call, not some faceless chain rollout. In an interview with FOX 13 Tampa Bay, company president Samuel Detwiler said, “When we pick a location, we don’t have a big board of directors, it’s the family,” adding that the deal came together after Michael Saunders connected them with the developer.
What locals say
Regulars are already treating the North Port store like a long‑awaited home game. Shoppers told FOX 13 Tampa Bay they routinely make long drives just to shop Detwiler’s, with one customer saying, “We travel about almost 2 hours” for the combination of produce and prices. The station reports the project is expected to pull customers across county lines and to create about 125 jobs in North Port.
How this fits in Detwiler’s growth
Company materials say the North Port store will be Detwiler’s first location built entirely from the ground up and its southernmost site to date. Detwiler’s Farm Market has posted the announcement on its website, listing the address as 5001 N. Sumter Blvd.
The grocer’s regional buildout has been ramping up behind the scenes. Detwiler’s opened a 133,000‑square‑foot distribution center at the Florida International Tradeport in Palmetto in 2025, which industry reporting says is designed to support the chain’s expansion. Local reporting also notes a separate Manatee County store planned for Braden River Plaza at 4502 E. State Road 64.
Timeline and next steps
The City of North Port says staff will keep reviewing the site‑plan application and work with the developer as the project moves through permitting and construction.
According to Detwiler’s Farm Market, hiring details and a grand‑opening date will roll out as construction progresses toward the late‑2028 opening.
