Portland, OR—Lisa Sedlar has left her position as president and CEO of the successful New Seasons Market retail chain. Sedlar, who joined New Seasons in 2005 and led the chain in a strong period of growth, now plans to launch her own chain of healthy convenience stores that will sell fresh food, bakery items, deli/cheese products, locally sourced goods, grab-and-go items and other grocery products.

According to Portland Business Journal, Sedlar and has already hired Urban Works to help her pinpoint optimal store locations with a somewhat small footprint. On the list are 3,000–5,000-ft² spaces in underserved neighborhoods in the Portland area. The plan is to rent buildings that “complement the character of their neighborhoods.”

While Sedlar’s new business is currently operating as Modern Convenience Stores, Inc., there are plans to hold a contest to name the new chain.

Meanwhile, New Seasons plans to name a new CEO in 2013.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, December 2012