■ 21 February 2011 | 10:42 AM
Whole Foods Market -- an investigation
I’ve heard lots about it.
I’m guessing you have. too.
So this weekend, while winding my way back from Harrisonburg, where I checked out the organic, live herbs at Shenandoah Growers for an upcoming story, I did a little investigative reporting.
I was once decorated for my investigative reporting prowess, so I boldly parked in the lot at the Whole Foods Market in Short Pump and went right in.
Whole Foods is a national grocery chain that specializes in natural and organic foods available with a commitment to sustainable agriculture.
I can report back to the good people of Tidewater that the Whole Foods Market is conveniently located right off I-64; in fact it couldn’t be closer.
I can also report that all the whining I’ve heard – “Why can’t we have a Whole Foods?” and “Why does Richmond have one and we don’t?” is warranted.
I’m still in mourning over the closing of Foods of All Nations – a dream of a grocery store with everything from beautiful napkins and boxed candy to demi-glace. It was near Town Center and it closed about a decade back. Now, I always stop at the Charlottesville store whenever I’m in the area, and this trip was no different.
But back to the Whole Foods investigation.
First, it’s gorgeous. The florist is at the front (but I don’t think they have anything on our local Farm Fresh florists or The Fresh Market).
The produce section is immense and the stocked shelves are like works of art. Really, you just kind of stand there and gawk. Celery, peppers, fennel, lettuces and such are stacked sideways and clean and Felix Unger tidy.
Major seafood selection, butchery (no hormones, animal welfare standards in place) and a runway of cheeses. There’s a hamlet of au natural body care and makeup, which gives the place that lovely Heritage Store aroma. And a huge wine selection, but no better than The Wine Depot at my neighborhood Farm Fresh, although the tasting area is much nicer!
Plus, tons of ethnic foods.
I left with a few tins of Spanish sardines, some guacamole, a bag of Route 11 sweet potato chips and a whole roasted Peruvian spiced chicken (the aroma taunted me the whole way home).
In conclusion, this is worth whining for. It’s like the best of everything we have or had all in one.
It IS more expensive though. And my stevia-sweetened, house-brand diet cola was awful.
The trade-off is a separate stop for a diet Coke.
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WEGMAN'S PLEASE
Come on down!! Wegman's-we need you in Tidewater!!
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Comment removed for rules violation. Reason: Post continued, repeated
We have enough food stores
We have enough food stores as it is. We have been doing allright without WF so why do we need it now. Why do rich people have this air of privilege and expediency, as if they have to have every amenity at their beck and calling. Shop at Fresh Market, go to the farmers market in Virginia beach or Norfolk. Stop being food snobs. Costco has great selections. Join a food co-op. We do not need a WF or Wegmans. You WANT them. There are many clean Food Lions and Farm Fresh in the area. Trader Joes is here. It is just another overpriced store. Shop local, but local and support your local economy. Whole foods is overpriced and if you can afford to shop there, you can afford to drive to Short Pump and use that one. Life wont end if we dont get WF.
Whole Foods
There is a active Facebook page Bring a Whole Foods to Virginia Beach with nearly 7000 followers. Whole Foods is a great store with the highest quality standards I have ever seen. They are dedicated to health and wellness of their customers and workers.I know first hand because I work at the Richmond Location. I grew up in VB and think people and the community would be served by having one in Tidewater.
WF is both DIFFERENT & AFFORDABLE!
A while back I set up a petition & Facebook page requesting WF to come to Harbor Heights in Norfolk. I had spoken to a real estate broker overseeing future WF locations & have been told that they are likely to come to Hampton Roads!
WF is NOT like our current grocers. You will notice this immediately if you are one that seeks the organic, non-GMO, non rBST dairy, sustainable meats/seafood, etc. WF still offers groceries that don't fall into those categories, but most people shopping there have chosen this place for these reasons. They also have their own AFFORDABLE brand called 365 Everyday Value.
If you'd like to sign the petition, which now has 1,100+ signatures, please go to: http://www.petitiononline.com/m1a2j3/petition.html
What I wouldn't give for a Wegmans down here
Wegmans: Truly a wonderful grocery store. Clean, good selection, reasonably priced, friendly and helpful employees. I like to save money like everyone else and do shop at Walmart for the reduced prices. Unfortunately, I can't always count on Walmart or Farm Fresh, etc. for fresh items that will retain their quality once purchased. Also, Wegmans has a great selection of house brand foods, high quality foods in their restaurant area, and so much more.
Wegmans is what a grocery should be. I just wish they'd come a bit further south. I'd be in heaven.
Bring it NOW
We are in need of a true grocer that cares about its food. Yes it is a "Mega Mart" per say but WF knows how to market its fresh wholesome produce, meat, seafood and brings in the "local farmers" whenever it can.
For those who mention that WF is more expensive than "Fresh Market" Please re-check the prices again. Fresh Market is more expensive than WF per line item. We trek up to Short Pump for fresh produce that lasts and we don't have to check dates because we know that they "ROTATE" their canned goods - that is something that I have found doesn't happen in most grocers in Hampton Roads. Also they smile and are pleasant and wow happy to serve us. We are not a burden. Think of that they are happy that we are spending are money with them. Tel
'whole paycheck'
is absolutely worth it. if there are redeeming things about richmond over hampton roads, WF would certainly rank in the top three. yes, expensive but it's for stuff you're putting in your body (and enjoying). Can you really put a price on that? plus the staff is so knowledgable and there's always something to taste...and how about that hot and cold bar? If there's one close to a city I'm visiting I make it a point to stop in, like some sort of familiar rest stop. The one on Columbus Circle in Manhattan is great for flirting with smart strangers and spying on celebrities.
Wow! Who'da thunkit?
The biggest scam in the grocery bidness coming to Hampton Roads? I can understand it in NYC or SF, or even Annapolis, homes to trendy up-scale folk who, in spite of their considerable business acumen, can get taken in on a con as easily as anyone else. As long as they think it is somehow "good."
Whole Foods is all about marketing and little else. Everything is essentially the same stuff available anywhere else, but repackaged and redressed, and, more importantly, re-priced.
BTW, the Annapolis store was filthy on five occasions I visited. So, I went to the local Giant, where the people were nicer, the store cleaner, and the prices a whole lot lower. And taste? Well, if a gastronome like Guy Fieri can't tell the difference, than who am I?
People pay more for status all the time
If people are willing to pay more for the same thing you can get at Walmart or Farm Fresh for less, let them. It's their money to spend as they please. In the end it all ends up in the Bay.