New Clovis business will sell organic foods

Bill Bargman says he aims to supply the demand of area residents' appetite for organic and gourmet foods.

Bargman and his wife Rhonda plan to bring change to the Roden-Smith Building on Llano Estacado in Clovis with the opening of their new business, Paradise Market.

According to a press release, the market will occupy about half of the 18,000 square feet floor space and remodeling of the area has begun. The market is expected to open in October.

"It's a huge opportunity in this area," said Bargman, who has more than 34 years of experience in the retail grocery industry. "Customers I've taken care of for years have been asking for items that we didn't carry. What are customers want is what we'll carry."

Bargman said the new market will offer healthy and tasty alternatives to conventional grocery stores and is projected to employ 42 to 46 people within the first two months, according to Bargman. After that, there may be a drop in positions based on natural trends in retail grocery, Bargman said.

An example of the specialty items the market will offer include free range meats, pesticide free produce, bread made with unbleached flour, and gluten-free products. They will also offer ready-to-eat meals.

Bargman added by the first year, they're aiming for 40 percent of their items to be organic.

"This venture will fulfill a lifelong desire to own my own business and be able to say 'yes' to our customers," Bargman said in the press release. "And the best thing is, I get to wear a Hawaiian shirt to work every day."