Apple Valley Market in Berrien Springs has been sold, and plans are underway to reopen the store, which was a pillar of the Berrien Springs retail community for more than 50 years.
Details are still sparse regarding the new owners and their plans.
MoodyOnTheMarket.com has confirmed that an Alvarez family from California purchased Apple Valley in a transaction that officially closed this week. It is unclear whether the Alvarez business interests include existing supermarkets or natural foods stores. We are told the family has close ties with Andrews University and the Adventist community, and that Andrews officials played a key role in bringing together the former owners, the Benfield family, with the Alvarez family.
Although the Apple Valley real estate was listed for sale at $2.9 million, we have learned the final sale price was considerably lower. It is unclear whether certain elements are still owned by the sellers or whether Andrews University might also be financially involved in the transaction. MOTM has reached out to several parties for clarification, as well as for a timetable for reopening the once-popular store.
Apple Valley Market has been known for decades for its unusually wide selection of natural foods and focus on vegetarian products, making it highly popular with the area’s large Adventist community. Berrien Springs is one of the two largest Adventist communities in the United States, along with Loma Linda, California.
Whatever the specifics of the Apple Valley sale, it is expected to take at least several weeks for the store to reopen under new management. MOTM has not been able to speak with anyone who has direct knowledge of the new owners’ plans. This story was sourced after talking with several sources, although none had complete knowledge of the transaction. We caution readers that many details have yet to be revealed. We will continue to pursue additional information.
