Inside Long Island’s first Sprouts Farmers Market, opening Jan. 30 in Centereach

Sprouts Farmers Market is set to open its first Long Island location on Friday, and Greater Long Island got a sneak peek inside the Centereach store ahead of its grand opening.

The new Sprouts at 1934 Middle Country Road is the first in New York, filling much of the space left behind by a former L.A. Fitness in a busy shopping plaza with Starbucks, Buffalo Wild Wings and Subway. The natural and organic-focused grocery chain is heralded for its fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, natural groceries and made-to-order meal options.

On Wednesday, GLI cameraman Andrew Theodorakis with Yellowhouseimages captured exclusive images of the interior as final preparations were underway.

Founded in Arizona in 2002, Sprouts has grown into a national chain with more than 430 locations across the United States. The chain is often described as a hybrid of Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.

The Centereach store is part of the company’s continued expansion in the Northeast. Before operating as a gym for over a decade, the Centereach building was home to a Waldbaum’s, which closed in 2010 following the chain’s bankruptcy.

The location is expected to employee nearly 100 full- and part-time workers.

_{Top: Fresh and colorful produce fills the front of the new Sprouts in Centereach (taken by Andrew Theodorakis)}