A year after Ignacio’s only grocery store closed, a new one will open Wednesday morning.

Farmers Fresh Market is replacing Shur-Valu Market, which closed in June 2014 after La Tienda Foods, a small chain based in Carslbad, New Mexico, abruptly pulled out of its lease and left town.

Two local families, the McClanahans and Lees, formed a company to open a new, larger store on the same property. The old building was razed Thanksgiving weekend, and the new 22,000-square-foot facility features a pharmacy, deli, meat market, bakery, and indoor and outdoor seating.

The store hired about 50 employees.

“This is not a box store,” said Steve Chapman, store manager. “We’ll have a level of service not seen anymore.”

The store will offer carry-out service, as well as enough staff on hand to help people find items, he said.

People have already come through a closed gate and into the store, asking if it’s open yet.

“The grocery store affects all businesses in town,” General Manager Amos Lee said.

When shoppers go to Bayfield or Durango for their groceries, they buy other things there, as well, and that has had a ripple effect on local businesses.

“Everybody’s very excited,” Lee said. After next week’s opening, the staff is planning a grand opening this fall.

Wells Liquor South is next door, with an entrance from the store, and KD’s Caffe Latte is in the same shopping center.

Farmers Fresh is part of Affiliated Foods, a co-op of independent grocers based in Texas. House brands include Shur Fine and Western Family.

The pharmacy will be opening in a few more weeks, and it is one of the few pharmacies in the region with a clean room for sterile compounding, Lee said.

If you go

Farmers Fresh Market will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The telephone number is 563-4400.