By Jim Wasserman and Jon Ortiz — Bee Staff Writers
In a deal symbolizing the growing prowess of independent, upscale grocery chains, Woodlandbased Nugget Markets Inc. said Monday it will open a new store in Elk Grove and another in either Roseville or El Dorado Hills at locations closed earlier this year by Ralphs. Nugget is working with a Bay Area development firm to jointly buy or assume the leases for eight of the nine Ralphs stores left vacant in the region.
