Organic Growth

Richard's Foodporium owner John Rorer spent a bulk of 2011 dealing with several internal issues, but his biggest challenge in 2012 might be external.

That would come in the form of Trader Joe's, the chain of eclectic grocery stores with a natural and organic food focus. Rumors that Monrovia, Calif.-based Trader Joe's could expand to the Gulf Coast, have circulated for years. But Rorer thinks it could happen in 2012. Trader Joe's is run by a German family trust that also controls the Aldi supermarket chain, which recently expanded on the Gulf Coast.

Rorer says he will defend Sarasota-based Richard's Foodporium, a natural and specialty foods chain he bought in 1997, against any would-be competitors, especially Trader Joe's. Richard's has 13 corporate and three franchise-run stores in Florida, from Dunedin to Port Charlotte. There's also a franchised-run location in Flagler County.