Phoenix-based Sprouts is expected to sell some $2 billion of groceries and related products over the coming year, with 150+ stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

Sunflower was the brainchild of Mike Gilliland, Libby Cook and Randy Clapp. The trio are also credited with the creation of the Wild Oats brand, swallowed up by Whole Foods a few years back.

For information, call 303-758-4400 or visit sprouts.com.

We were deeply saddened to hear of the untimely death of Candace Stuart, owner of Wild Bird Center (1685 S. Colorado Blvd.), on July 30. After a two-week closing sale, the store was shuttered at the end of last month.

Spokesperson Don Zimmerman said,  “We are working diligently behind the scenes with Wild Bird Centers of America, with the estate, the Regency Centers and others to reopen the store as soon as is legally possible to do so. Resolving a situation as sudden and tragic as this is a complex process, so we are asking our customers’ patience and understanding while we try to work things out.We are hopeful that the effort and care Candace put into the Wild Bird Center for the last 17 years will continue to live on.”

Visit facebook.com/wild.centerdenver; wildbirdrehab.com; and wildbird.com for more information.