Natural Grocers Opens Its Doors in Ruidoso, NM With a Grand Opening Celebration on March 18, 2026

Customers will enjoy unbeatable savings, exciting giveaways, sweepstakes, delicious samples and more

LAKEWOOD, Colo., March 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural Grocers^®, the leading family-operated organic and natural grocery retailer in the U.S., is pleased to announce the opening of its newest store in Ruidoso, NM, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Conveniently located at 25992 US-70 #1, this will be Natural Grocers' seventh store in New Mexico. Community members are invited to join the celebration with giveaways, fabulous savings, free samples, a prize wheel, live local radio and more.

Natural Grocers' good4u^® Crew will kick off the festivities at 8:15 a.m. with a $2,500 donation presentation to the Lincoln County Food Bank—its local food bank partner, followed by an official ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Ruidoso Chamber of Commerce, community leaders and store Crew. Doors will open promptly at 8:27 a.m., where customers will be welcomed to a fun and celebratory shopping experience.  

"We're excited to bring Natural Grocers to Ruidoso," said Raquel Isely, vice president of marketing at Natural Grocers. "New Mexico has been an important part of the Natural Grocers family since 2003, and Ruidoso—one of the most beautiful and welcoming communities in Lincoln County—has been a community we've long hoped to serve. Surrounded by mountain landscapes and shaped by a rich history and vibrant mix of cultures, Ruidoso is a perfect match for our commitment to affordable, healthy living. We look forward to serving residents and visitors with premium-quality natural and organic groceries at our Always Affordable prices, free nutrition education and our world-class customer service."

GRAND OPENING EVENTS – FREEBIES, DISCOUNTS & SWEEPSTAKES

Grand Opening festivities at the new Ruidoso location will include:

• March 18: Mystery Gift Cards for the first 150 customers – Be among the first in line and receive a Natural Grocers mystery gift card (values range from $5 to $500)!^[i]
• March 18: Free Natural Grocers Hand-Crafted Ecuadorian Drawstring Backpack ($30 value) – The first 500 shoppers will receive a unique, hand-crafted bag, woven in collaboration with artisans in Peguche, Ecuador.^[ii]
•  March 18: Prize Wheel – Spin the Natural Grocers prize wheel between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. for a chance to win great prizes.^[iii]
• March 18–April 1: Grand Opening Sweepstakes – Customers have the chance to win fabulous prizes, including an Aventon e-bike (valued at $1,400), a $500 Natural Grocers gift card and more. Entry forms will be available at the store.^[iv]
•  March 18–April 30: Up to 50% off Natural Grocers' Always Affordable^SM Prices on premium-quality products from every department, including 100% USDA-certified Organic Honeycrisp apples ($1.89/lb), Natural Grocers^® Brand Organic Cheese Shreds and Slices ($2.99 each), Bacon and Bacon Alternatives ($2.99/pkg, excludes Canadian Bacon), GT's Synergy^® Kombucha ($2.79/16 oz) and Everyone^® Liquid Hand Soaps ($3.99/12.75 oz).^[v]

{N}POWER^® MEMBERSHIP

As part of Natural Grocers' "Even More Affordable^SM Prices!" campaign, customers can join {N}power, the company's free rewards program, to access exclusive discounts, digital coupons, rewards benefits and other members-only features.

• March 18–April 30: {N}power^® members will receive exclusive pricing on items such as Contented Hen® Select Free-Range Eggs ($2.99 each, one dozen), Mary's^® Non-GMO Whole Chicken ($9.99/ea), Natural Grocers Brand Liquid Dish Soaps ($2.99/24 oz), USDA-certified organic avocados (.99¢ each), and Truly Grass-Fed^TM Natural Creamy Butter Bars ($4.99/8 oz).^[vi]

Not an {N}power member? Not a problem! Download and sign into the free App to join. Customers can also visit naturalgrocers.com/npower. ^[vii]

THE NATURAL GROCERS EXPERIENCE

Serving communities with a wide range of natural and organic options since 1955, Natural Grocers will support Ruidoso and the surrounding south-central New Mexico region with world-class customer service from its knowledgeable and friendly good4u Crew, healthy recipes for all diets and high product standards.

The company, ever conscious of its environmental impact, has upgraded the new space using sustainable building features and energy-saving innovations, such as non-toxic building materials and 100% LED lighting. The store will feature a contemporary layout for an efficient, yet friendly checkout experience.

• Environmentally Thoughtful Products and Practices: From checkouts free from single-use bags, to organic, non-GMO and Always Affordable Natural Grocers brand products and ecologically thoughtful in-store features, the company focuses on a mutually beneficial relationship with nature.
• Always Affordable Prices: Access high-quality organic and natural groceries including 100% pasture-based dairy products and free-range eggs, 100% non-GMO prepackaged bulk goods, and household essentials at Always Affordable Price. Natural Grocers also prioritizes humanely sourced and sustainably raised meats.
• Always 100% Organic Produce: Rest easy knowing Natural Grocers' organic produce is free from cross contamination with conventional/GMO items and grown without synthetic pesticides.
• Body Care That Cares Back: Natural Grocers' high standards prioritize natural, innovative and ethical body care products that deliver results without compromise.
• A Super-Sized Supplement Department: With over 5,000 products, Natural Grocers offers a large selection of vitamins and supplements, with the vast majority (over 80%) manufactured in third-party Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certified facilities.
• A Commitment to Crew: Natural Grocers is passionate about ensuring that its employees can live a healthy, balanced life. The Company is committed to positively impacting Crew's physical, emotional and financial well-being with free nutrition education programs, excellent benefits and access to the highest quality, affordably priced products. To learn more about Natural Grocers' "Commitment to Crew" and its 5 Founding Principles, click here.
• Coming Soon: Nutritional Health Coaching: Customers will have direct access to personalized assistance throughout their health journeys with an onsite Nutritional Health Coach. Click here to learn more.

LINCOLN COUNTY FOOD BANK PARTNERSHIP

As part of its commitment to the Ruidoso community, Natural Grocers will support the Lincoln County Food Bank (LCFB) through its Bring Your Own Bag program, donating five cents for every shopping trip in which customers use their own reusable bags. The program encourages sustainable shopping practices while also directly benefiting local families by supporting the food bank's essential work.

The Lincoln County Food Bank opened its doors in July 1986, led by a group of caring local citizens. Its mission is to assist residents in need of food and personal care items. LCBF is a 501(c)(3) organization operated entirely by volunteers, with no paid staff or government assistance. To volunteer or get involved with the organization, visit lincolncountyfoodbank.org.

• Click here to learn more about Natural Grocers' Commitment to Community and their "Bring Your Own Bag Program," benefitting the Lincoln County Food Bank.
• Learn more about Natural Grocers by visiting naturalgrocers.com.
• Click here for a complimentary media kit.
• For media inquiries contact [email protected].

ABOUT NATURAL GROCERS BY VITAMIN COTTAGE

Founded in 1955, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC) is an expanding specialty retailer of natural and organic groceries, body care products and dietary supplements. The grocery products sold by Natural Grocers must meet strict quality guidelines and may not contain artificial flavors, preservatives or sweeteners (as defined by its standards), synthetic colors or partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oils. The Company sells only USDA-certified organic produce and exclusively pasture-raised, non-confinement dairy products and free-range eggs. Natural Grocers' flexible smaller-store format allows it to offer affordable prices in a shopper-friendly, clean and convenient retail environment. The Company also provides extensive free science-based Nutrition Education programs to help customers and Crew make informed health and nutrition choices. Natural Grocers is committed to its Five Founding Principles—including its "Commitment to Community" and "Commitment to Crew." In fiscal year 2025, the Company invested more than $16 million in incremental compensation and discretionary payments for Crew. Headquartered in Lakewood, CO, Natural Grocers has 168 stores in 21 states. Visit naturalgrocers.com for more information and store locations.

^[i] Quantity limited to first 150 customers in line at Natural Grocers' Ruidoso, NM location. No rain checks. Limit one gift card per customer 18 years or older. Valid 3/18/2026 only. Void where prohibited by law.

^[ii] Quantity limited to first 500 shoppers at Natural Grocers' Ruidoso, NM location. No rain checks. Limit one per customer, 18 years or older. Valid 3/18/2026 only. Void where prohibited by law.

^[iii] Prize wheel available at Natural Grocers' Ruidoso, NM location. No purchase necessary. Quantity limited to stock on hand; no rain checks. Valid 3/18/2026, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. only, while supplies last.

^[iv] No purchase necessary. A purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Open only to legal respondents of the following states who are at least 18 years old at the time of entry: AZ, AR, CO, CO, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, ND, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA and WY. Voids where prohibited by law. Sweepstakes start on 3/18/2026 and end on 4/1/2026. For official rules and complete details, visit www.naturalgrocers.com/sweepstakes. Sponsor: Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, Inc.

^[v] Offer only valid 3/18/2026 to 4/1/2026. Offer is redeemable only for in-store customer purchases at Natural Grocers' Ruidoso, NM location, and cannot be combined with other offers. Quantity limited to stock on hand; no rain checks. Pricing excludes taxes and is subject to change without notice. Natural Grocers reserves the right to correct errors. Void where prohibited by law.

^[vi] Must be an {N}power member to receive these discounts. Offers valid only from 3/18/2026 to 4/30/2026 are redeemable only for in-store customer purchases at Natural Grocers' Ruidoso, NM location, and cannot be combined with other offers. Quantity limited to stock on hand; no rain checks. Pricing excludes taxes and is subject to change without notice. Natural Grocers reserves the right to correct errors. Void where prohibited by law.

^[vii] See naturalgrocers.com/privacy for the Company's Privacy Policy and naturalgrocers.com/terms for the {N}Power terms of use. Message and data rates may apply.

SOURCE Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.