From Sports to Sprouts: A Construction Collage

The newly-opened Sprouts Farmers Market underwent some heavy-duty facelifts to become the building that welcomed gobs of new customers Wednesday. 

Formerly Sport Chalet, a 30,000 square-foot sporting oods store opened in 1974 by Norbert Olberz, the property that once housed an indoor mountain with a ski ramp, now features a cavernous space for all-natural meats and farm fresh produce. Olberz opened his original Sport Chalet, across the boulevard, in 1959. During the first year, Olberz and his wife, Irene, who drained their savings account to make the purchase, slept in the back of the shop and took showers at night with a garden hose, according to the store's website.

stayed at the 920 Foothill Boulevard location for decades and in 2008, a modern, 45,000-square foot facility opened across the street in the Town Center, leaving a dilapidated building empty for several years.

The approved plans for Henry's Farmers Market in December 2010. Two months later Henry's merged with Arizona-based Sprouts.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported the original location of Sport Chalet. La Cañada Flintridge Patch apologizes for the error.