The new World Market, the 250th in the nation, opened at Jordan Landing on Oct. 2
A vast variety of foods and decor from all around the world are part of the store’s signature product mix. (Tom Haraldsen/Salt Lake Business Journal)
As the celebration for the nation’s 250th birthday continues with themed events across the country, World Market just opened its 250th store nationwide in West Jordan. Doors officially opened Oct. 2 at the Jordan Landing location at 7037 Plaza Center Drive.
According to store manager Benni Warren, the opening of the newest store marks a significant milestone for World Market, particularly being on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley.
“People shop locally, and I think I-15 is a dividing line for a lot of folks,” he said. “We wanted to have an opportunity to share our beautiful products and assortments with the entire valley. The whole west side is growing, so this is where we want to be.”
Warren has been with World Market for 11 years, the past nine at the Ft. Union location. The store also has Utah locations in Farmington and Park City. He has hired about 80 employees, both full- and part-time, in anticipation of the approaching holiday season.
Natalie Tognolini, director of operations for World Market, said the city of West Jordan was “phenomenal to work with. We had a very quick process with our permitting and our certificate of occupancy, and we were able to get in quickly and build out our project.”
The 25,000-square-foot store is in the space previously occupied by an Office Max, which closed in late spring. Tognolini said the 250th store is a great earmark for the company because “we’re in our growth mode, and it’s really exciting to be in Utah and add another store to this market.”
“We are so happy to announce that we are expanding in the Salt Lake City region with our newest World Market store in West Jordan,” said Eric Hunter, CEO of World Market, in a release. “Our current customers in the area know and love us for our unbeatable assortment of global foods, home decor, gifts and furniture. We can't wait to introduce ourselves to all the new customers in the community.”
Warren praised the variety of the World Market product line.
“We have an assortment from all around the world,” he said. “If you grew up in the U.K. and you have a favorite cookie, we probably sell it here. It’s an exciting place to come and taste and sample unique items that you really can’t get anywhere else. We just expanded our Asia assortment by 30 percent. Our goal is to have those unique items that not everybody carries.”
He said it took about two months to retrofit the store, with employees from other World Markets coming to Utah to help with the changeover.
“It’s a great family of other World Market staff members assisting us,” he said. “Our goal is to create a unique shopping experience with every customer visit.”
World Market is 60 years old and has stores in 38 states.
