Our History

Lee’s Legacy

Lee loved greeting each of his customers and seeing them as guests in his stores. He knew that the heart of the company was its people. Lee built a legacy of bright, clean, friendly stores that offered great value, cleanliness, and a commitment to community.

Today, Lee’s carries on the principles he championed: Friendly, Respectful, Integrity, Exceptional, Neat & Clean, and Dependable.

Lee’s Marketplace believes that grocery shopping should be a fun and enjoyable experience for our Team and our Guests. We will continually improve the expertise of our team, commit to providing freshness and quality in our products, and provide a clean, safe shopping environment. Lee’s Marketplace pledges to support the local communities in which we serve and to have integrity in all that we do.

Our Timeline

1981

Jack’s Foodtown

Lee and Shari Badger began their grocery journey by purchasing a small store called Jack’s Foodtown in Smithfield, Utah. Over the next decade, they remodeled and expanded the store, eventually doubling its size by 1991.

1994

Smithfield Lee’s Marketplace

With rapid growth in northern Cache Valley, a brand-new store was built across the street. Lee’s Marketplace officially opened with a pharmacy, deli, scratch bakery, and larger departments. The legacy of Lee’s Marketplace was born. This location continued to grow with major renovations in 2005 and again in 2016, ensuring it remained a modern and competitive store for the community.

1999

Logan Lee’s Marketplace

Lee’s second location opened in Logan, bringing with it new services such as a sit-down deli, designer floral department, a full-service butcher block, seafood counter, and its own pharmacy. This store set the bar for future locations.

2007

North Ogden Lee’s Marketplace

Formerly Acres Market, this store marked Lee’s first expansion south of Cache Valley. It quickly became a staple for the North Ogden community.

2009

Lee’s First Annual ALS Golf Tournament

2016

Lee’s First Ace Hardware

An Ace Hardware store was added next to the Smithfield location in March, further supporting local shoppers with hardware needs.

2016

Heber Lee’s Marketplace

Lee’s welcomed the Heber location in October, formerly Day’s Market. This community-focused store brought experience and innovation that enriched the Lee’s brand.

2017

North Salt Lake Lee’s Marketplace

A newly built store in North Salt Lake opened in January, featuring a full grocery experience alongside an adjacent Ace Hardware store.

2020

Lee’s Market at 4th West

In February, Lee’s launched a new small-format concept store in downtown Salt Lake City to serve busy urban residents.

2022

Herriman Lee’s Marketplace

In February, Lee’s opened its southernmost store in Herriman, nestled against the Oquirrh Mountains. The location quickly became a key community fixture.

2023

Richmond Lee’s Marketplace

After years of anticipation, a third Cache Valley store opened in Richmond—just twelve minutes north of the original Smithfield location.

2024

Mountain Green Lee’s Marketplace

In September, Lee’s opened its newest store in Mountain Green, with stunning views of Snowbasin Ski Resort and the Wasatch Peaks development. The store includes the third company-owned Ace Hardware.

2025