Rancho Markets takes over Viva Markets store

Latter brand apparently is no more, with 3 other locations facing different fates.

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Rancho Markets, the state's largest grocery chain catering primarily to the state's growing Latino population, has purchased the former Viva Markets store in Salt Lake City.

The store was closed earlier this month for remodeling. Terms of deal were not disclosed by Rancho Markets representatives.

No reopening date has been set, but a grand opening is planned sometime in mid-July.

The store, in the Rose Park neighborhood, has operated under several banners. It was formerly an Albertsons before becoming a Fresh Market and then taking on the Viva Markets name in March 2011.

Viva apparently is now out of the grocery business in Utah, although representatives could not be reached for comment.

Its store in Ogden at 916 Seventh St. has closed. And its other two markets in Salt Lake County — in West Valley City at 1824 W. 3500 South and in Midvale at 125 W. 7200 South — have reverted to former owners Adolfo and Ofelia Campos, who operate under the Tenochtitlan banner. The Camposes, who also operate a Tenochtitlan store in Orem, could not be reached for comment.

The new Rancho Markets store is the ninth for the chain, which operates other locations in Salt Lake City, Magna, West Valley, Kearns, Provo and Ogden.

Rancho Markets' departments include a produce section, bakery, cafe and tortilleria, where tortillas are made from scratch.

Hours at all stores are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

The chain provides other services, such as money transfers, cellphone activations and bill payments, and international long-distance calling.

In June 2006, founder Eli Madrigal launched the first Rancho Markets at 190 E. 3300 South. Part of the chain's success can be attributed to Utah's Latino population, which during the past decade has grown by 78 percent, to 358,000 from 157,000. The head count indicates that three of every 10 Utahns who arrived by birth or immigration during the past 10 years were Latino.

dawn@sltrib.com

Twitter: @DawnHouseTrib —

Rancho Markets

The grocery chain has purchased the Viva Markets store in Salt Lake City at 140 N. 900 West. Other stores:

Salt Lake City • 190 E. 3300 South; 898 E. 3300 South

West Valley City • 2470 S. Redwood Road

Kearns • 4071 W. 5415 South

Magna • 8177 W. 3500 South

Provo • 1700 N. State St.

Ogden • 905 26th St.; 404 Washington Blvd.