DENVER, Sept. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE: NGVC) today announced that it has plans to open seven new stores by March 2013, bringing the total number of Natural Grocers' stores to 64 in 12 states by the spring. In addition, the company has relocated and expanded one of its flagship Denver stores.

The seven new stores will be opened during the next six months in Sedona, Arizona; Steamboat Springs, Colorado; Helena and Missoula, Montana; Omaha, Nebraska, and Denton and Lubbock, Texas. Natural Grocers has already signed long-term lease agreements for the new locations, and is currently renovating the spaces to adhere to Natural Grocers' core values, including employing a variety of energy-efficient features such as motion light sensors, 100 percent post-consumer content tiles, polished concrete flooring and commercial-grade LED lights. In addition to an expansive shopping area, the new stores will also have meeting spaces, demo kitchens and community rooms, like many Natural Grocers' stores.

The Denver store expansion was completed in August and represents a new modern, stylish look and feel that will be replicated in Natural Grocers' future stores. With educational facilities, community areas, a customer-friendly lay-out, greater selection and sophisticated decor, the newly opened store underscores Natural Grocers' commitment to the core natural and organic foods customer.

"We are certain that we've identified communities in these five states that are right for our products and nutrition education outreach," said Kemper Isely, Natural Grocers co-president. "Each city has the consumer market for healthful organic foods, along with the market sustainability to make these openings smart business decisions. As with all our stores, we've carefully analyzed the locations to ensure we're maximizing our opportunities, and we're actively working to ensure our brand and the shopping experience continue to meet our customers' expectations."

To date, Natural Grocers has 57 stores in 12 states. The expansion in Denver and the seven planned stores are a direct result of increasing consumer awareness and demand for natural, healthful, organic foods and products at competitive prices.

For more than 55 years, the Isely family has managed Natural Grocers. Part of their commitment to maintain a true natural foods store is to avoid selling any products that contain artificial ingredients such as sweeteners, flavors, preservatives, partially hydrogenated oils or produce grown with synthetic pesticides. In addition, Natural Grocers offers only USDA certified organic produce and meats from animals naturally raised without the use of antibiotics or hormones See: "What We Won't Sell and Why."

About Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage
Since 1955, Colorado based, family-operated Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage has significantly expanded from the "Mom and Pop" grassroots business started by Margaret and Phillip Isely. Still run by the their children and grandchildren, Natural Grocers has grown into a national chain with locations in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Wyoming -- employing approximately 1600 employees to date. The original family goal to offer 'Every Day Affordable Prices' is a foundation of their business, enabling everyone to afford the products necessary to maintain their own healthcare. Education and customer service are cornerstones of Natural Grocers, as evidenced by their in-store nutritional support programs, free nutritional coaching and free public health and wellness seminars.

Natural Grocers provides a variety of 18,000 – 21,000 organic and all natural products, selling only USDA certified organic produce, all natural body care products and one of the largest selections in the country of vitamins, minerals and herbs, combined with a knowledgeable and trained staff. Visit www.naturalgrocers.com for more information and their other store locations.

Forward Looking Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements that reflect Natural Grocers' plans, estimates and beliefs. Actual results could differ materially from those described in this release.

SOURCE Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage