Whole Foods, the organic and natural grocery store that's tantalized Charlotte since plans to open here were first announced in 2004, will finally break ground near SouthPark mall on Monday afternoon.
The grocer plans to open a 42,000-square-foot store at Fairview and Sharon roads next spring, in the mixed-use Ashley Park development. That's diagonally across from SouthPark mall and near Phillips Place. Today's 3 p.m. groundbreaking ceremony marks the start of construction, and will be attended by Mayor Anthony Foxx.
Whole Foods originally planned to open a store in the Elizabeth neighborhood and a second store in SouthPark by 2009. But those plans were delayed, and the stores never materialized.
The new store - Whole Foods' eighth in North Carolina - will be entering a crowded food market, near the Morrocroft Harris Teeter and organic grocery Earth Fare. But Whole Foods has a devoted fan base, including some Charlotteans who stock up on Whole Foods goods when they're in a city that has one.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Whole Foods breaking ground today
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15 comments:
I'm happy to see Whole Foods arrive...but it's too bad they're stuffing this in South Park. Driving to that part of town for groceries isn't practical. If you've never been, check out the meats and cheeses!
Ridiculous place to put this store. Will drive to Winston-Salem store before I go there!
Yay... another expensive grocery store I will not shop at.
Whole Foods, a.k.a Whole Paycheck...we have had them here in VA for years. Good food, yes, but ridiculous prices, therefore the moniker. If you want to blow your money on overpriced organics and such then hey, it's a free country! I take my business elsewhere...
Bad Location. Three similar options in one mile asking for the same dollar? I think closer to uptown (Old Design Center. Get the young crowd, lunch crowd for food bar) or Cotswold would have made more sense. That area can pull the mid-wood, NODA crowd (they dont have any nearby option). And the South Park crowd can afford it. Both would drive. Way too busy in SP area to make it "worth a trip". I will say this is a huge blow for Earth Fare though. Their parking makes it a chore to make a visit there. With Whole Foods and what I hope will be better parking, this will drive traffic away for sure. I'm a fan though. Welcome to town Whole Foods!
Support your local farmers...
Glad to see them finally come to Charlotte, however not a fan of the location. That Southpark mall area is already a madhouse as it is. Last thing they need to do is throw a Whole Foods in the middle of it all.
It should have gone in Elizabeth.
It was supposed to go up in Elizabeth, not sure why they pulled the plug to put it practically next door to Fresh Market and Earth Fare
I hope they bring a second location to the University City area. We don't have much in the option of organic grocery stores here.
Finally, a Whole Foods in Charlotte!!
For the freshness and overall quality of the meats and cheeses I'd pay a bit more. The proof is in the taste of the food. I do feel bad for Earth Fare though, but I'll split my money between the 2 stores :-)
NCDAVE77 - Because you drive to this part of town does not mean that this is inconvenient for everyone. I live in South Park. It is densely populated with the incomes to support this store. The demographics are ideal for wholefoods in South Park.
Funny that all you organic treehuggers are complaining about the parking and the traffic in SouthPark. Aren't you supposed to be walking and biking and taking the lord god almighty light rail for every activity you engage in?
Please don't think it takes a new store in town to get the organic foods, visit your farmer's markets. They are a great source of locally grown, organic foods. Know your farmer and prices are less too.
A couple of thoughts. First, the location is a bit of a hassle but fans will handle. I enjoy aspects of the store as I do Earth Fare, Teeter and Trader Joes. Pick and choose and shop like it is a market for certain things. Afterall, Whole Foods and Earth fare do not sell velveeta...and we all know that grilled cheese without that is not the best...,
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