British-owned grocer Fresh & Easy is invading the Tri-Counties. It’s only been two years since the grocery chain landed on the West Coast, but the company has already opened six markets in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties and has aggressive expansion plans for the area.

Fresh & Easy is developing a handful of locations along Highway 101 — the new Ventura store opens later this month — and now it has set its sights on Santa Barbara.

“We’ve been upfront about our desire to serve literally every neighborhood,” Fresh & Easy spokesman Brendan Wonnacott told the Business Times. “All the stores in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties have done exceptionally well, and there are plenty of opportunities in that area.”

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