LAYTON -- WinCo Foods is still coming to Layton, just not as soon as originally planned.
That's the word coming from city officials who say the discount supermarket chain store still is committed to being the anchor tenant at the Fort Lane Village.
"The economy hasn't been what they had wanted it to be based on the profits from their other stores," said Mayor Steve Curtis.
"WinCo has done a market analysis and right now, because the economy has not started swinging up, they are waiting."
The original plan was to begin construction this spring; however, Layton residents have yet to see the construction trucks in action.
The 94,682-square-foot WinCo Foods store is part of the 22-acre Fort Lane Village, a commercial-retail center being developed at 144 S. Fort Lane and Gentile Street.
Messages left Wednesday for Mike Read, vice president of public affairs for WinCo Foods, and Morgan Randis, vice president of development for WinCo Foods, were not returned.
In June 2010, WinCo opened a store in Roy, which was its fifth store in Utah.
WinCo, based in Boise, also has locations in Idaho, Washington, Nevada, California and Oregon.
Layton officials are not worried that WinCo officials will change their minds about opening the new store.
"They've outright purchased the land, so it is not a question as to whether or not they are coming," Curtis said.
While Curtis said he is not concerned about the delay in construction, noting that WinCo has been good to work with, there is one thing about the delay that is not sitting well with the mayor.
"Naturally, it is seeing the land vacant. That's something that isn't aesthetically pleasing," Curtis said.
Another concern could be that, without WinCo beginning construction, other potential tenants at Fort Lane Village may be hesitant to sign a lease and move into the new development.
Only Zions Bank is operating in the new development, and so far, no new tenants have been announced.
Curtis said there have been inquiries by other businesses about moving into Fort Lane Village, and the city has been acting as a facilitator between the developers and potential tenants.
"It's interesting because when places such as WinCo open, they do attract other businesses around them," Curtis said.
"I know other businesses are interested in establishing there, but they don't want to pull the trigger yet."
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