Harmons breaks ground in Farmington, store No. 16

FARMINGTON — Bob Harmon (yes, that Bob Harmon) has lived in Farmington for 19 years.

"I've been waiting for the opportunity to build a store all that time," he said Thursday, minutes before he and brother and co-owner Randy Harmon broke ground for a grocery store bearing their family name.

The future 70,000 square-foot store, the 16th store in the 78-year-old family-owned chain, is expected to open May 1, 2011, at Farmington's Station Park.

Station Park is a mixed-used development, fronted by California-based CenterCal Properties and planned to be a power retail center for central Davis County.

A 14-screen CineMark movie theater and other yet-to-be-named tenants, are expected to open the same day.

Randy Harmon said the store, the company's first in Davis County, will employ 200 people, including chefs, bakers and butchers.

Bob Harmon said the store's location, where rail, roads and trails intersect in Farmington, makes it an ideal store to reach no matter how one is traveling.

Davis County Commissioner John Petroff Jr. said he recognizes the sacrifice CenterCal had to make to pursue its venture in Farmington.

CenterCal originally broke ground at Station Park on Aug. 13, 2008.

But as the economy continued to plummet and corporations stopped expanding, CenterCal focused on laying the groundwork — infrastructure and roads — for the moment when businesses would want to build again.

Craig Trottier, vice president of development for CenterCal, said the company put $15 million into the dirt before tenants were ready to go vertical.

Petroff said he recognized that it was a risk for CenterCal.

"Thank you for doing that," Petroff said, adding that he hopes Utahns will help the new businesses succeed.

Trottier said he expects CenterCal to announce more Station Park tenants in coming weeks.

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