Kansas City, Missouri, January 19, 2026
United Market KC, LLC
United Market KC, LLC is a grocery store operator affiliated with Associated Wholesale Grocers, one of the largest grocery cooperatives in the United States. The company was selected to operate a newly renovated grocery store at 3110 Prospect Ave. in the Linwood Shopping Center, Kansas City, Missouri. This initiative follows the city’s investment of $17 million to acquire and redevelop the former Sun Fresh store, which originally opened in 2018. The decision to bring United Market KC, LLC into the community aims to improve grocery access and ensure long-term stability for residents on the East Side. The store’s opening is projected for mid-April 2026, marking a significant step in community revitalization efforts.
News Summary
Kansas City has selected United Market KC, LLC to operate a grocery store at 3110 Prospect Ave., following the closure of Sun Fresh due to financial issues and safety concerns. The city invested $17 million into the redevelopment of the Linwood Shopping Center to ensure stable grocery access for local residents. The expected opening is by mid-April, pending committee approval. Community leaders hope this new store will improve both safety and food accessibility for the East Side community.
Kansas City has announced that United Market KC, LLC will operate a grocery store at 3110 Prospect Ave. in the Linwood Shopping Center. The announcement was made on January 16, 2026, following the closure of the Sun Fresh grocery store in August 2025, which had faced financial struggles and safety concerns. These concerns were reported by both shoppers and employees and included incidents of fights, drug use, and public sex.
The City invested $17 million to acquire and redevelop the former Sun Fresh store, which originally opened in 2018. The store was managed by Community Builders Kansas City, a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing the East Side. Mayor Quinton Lucas emphasized that United Market reflects the city’s commitment to ensuring long-term stability and reliable grocery access for the community.
To select the new operator for the grocery store, the city collaborated with a panel of representatives and neighborhood stakeholders who helped narrow down the choice to three candidates before ultimately selecting United Market. This grocery operator is affiliated with Associated Wholesale Grocers, one of the largest grocery cooperatives in the United States, serving around 800 stores across 15 states.
The acquisition of the Linwood Shopping Center by the city in 2014 aimed to improve food access for the residents living in the East Side. The lease agreement ordinance for United Market was sponsored by Mayor Lucas along with Third District Councilwomen Melissa Robinson and Melissa Patterson Hazley. The ordinance is scheduled for review by the Finance, Governance, and Public Safety Committee on January 27, 2026.
If approved by the committee and the full council, the goal is to have the new grocery store operational by mid-April 2026. Presently, the terms for the lease and operations are under negotiation between the city and United Market, advancing the city’s efforts to enhance grocery accessibility in the East Side community.
As the new grocery store prepares to fill the gap left by Sun Fresh, community leaders and residents await improvements in both safety and food access with optimism for the future.
Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | 3110 Prospect Ave., Linwood Shopping Center |
| Operator | United Market KC, LLC |
| Closure of Previous Store | Sun Fresh in August 2025 |
| Investment by City | $17 million for acquisition and redevelopment |
| Expected Opening | Mid-April 2026 (if approved) |
| Review Date | January 27, 2026 |
FAQ
What grocery store operator has been announced for the former Sun Fresh location?
United Market KC, LLC will operate a grocery store at 3110 Prospect Ave. in the Linwood Shopping Center.
When did the Sun Fresh store close?
Sun Fresh closed in August 2025 after months of financial struggles and safety concerns.
How much did the City spend on the redevelopment of the store?
$17 million was spent to acquire and redevelop the Sun Fresh store.
What is the expected opening date for United Market?
The goal is to open the new grocery store by mid-April 2026.
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Additional Resources
- KCTV5
- Wikipedia: Kansas City
- KMBC
- Google Search: Kansas City grocery store
- Fox4KC
- Google Scholar: Kansas City grocery store
- KSHB
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Kansas City
- Heartlander News
- Google News: Kansas City grocery store operator
Author: STAFF HERE KANSAS CITY WRITER
The KANSAS CITY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKansasCity.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Kansas City, Jackson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as American Royal World Series of Barbecue, Dia De Los Muertos, and Planet Anime Kansas City. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Kansas City, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Children's Mercy Hospital, Government Employees Health Association, and AMC Entertainment. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREStLouis.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Missouri's dynamic landscape.
