CEDAR HILLS — Residents opposed to allowing alcohol sales and Sunday business operations in Cedar Hills appear to have gained more ammunition in their fight — a grocer who says he has no problem with Sunday closings and not selling alcohol.

The Coalition to Preserve Cedar Hills has released a letter sent to Cedar Hills Mayor Mike McGee by the owner of an Orem natural foods store expressing interest in building a full-service grocery store in Cedar Hills if current plans for a Smith's grocery store fall through.

Harvest Fresh Natural Foods president Lee Abbott penned the letter and said Monday he just wanted Cedar Hills residents to know about the store's interest.

"If the people of Cedar Hills need a store that will come in and provide the services they want, and will agree to be closed on Sunday, and will agree not to sell alcohol, and Smith's won't do that, then we will," Abbott said. "If Smith's is willing to do it, I think they'd be a welcome member of the community."

The 7,500-resident community currently has no commercial businesses.

Rimrock Development is moving forward with plans to bring a Smith's grocery store to the city's commercial zone near Lone Peak High School, however. The store's future came into question two months ago when City Council members considered ordinances to prohibit alcohol sales and Sunday operations. Smith's contract with Rimrock allows the store to pull out if such restrictions are put in place.

In March, the City Council voted down the proposed ordinances, but the coalition, which includes 50 residents, is circulating a petition to bring the ordinances back before the council.

Coalition chairman Gary Duncan said the group released the letter to inform residents that Smith's isn't the only option.

"We wanted to get the message out so that people in Cedar Hills who will be considering signing the petitions will know that they don't have to settle for less than what they want, that they have options," said Duncan.

Abbott said he's not trying to drive Smith's away but would be interested if Smith's pulls out.

"I don't want to interfere with any contract that they have. Smith's is a good grocery operator, and frankly, they're the big bear on the block, and so I don't want to compete with them for a location," Abbott said. "But if Smith's backed away, we not only would be interested in looking at it, but I think we would be willing to make a commitment to do a store there."

Abbott said he thinks it is likely that the ordinances will pass and that Smith's will pull out.

McGee disagrees.

"The council is very unlikely to change their minds (if the initiative is brought before it), in my opinion," he said.