By George Anderson
Whole Foods Market has opened a store in Manhattan at Columbus Circle in the new Time Warner Center.
David Lannon, president, Whole Foods' Northeast Region said in a prepared statement, "We are passionate about naturally delicious food, and we bring our customers only the best products from local vendors and around the world. Our goal is to provide New Yorkers with an engaging shopping experience and to become an integral part of this truly unique community."
The Columbus Circle location is billed by Whole Foods as "the ultimate grocery and lifestyle shopping experience." The 59,000 square foot store includes a 248-seat café selling restaurant-quality prepared foods; a Jamba Juice smoothie retailer; a full service Sushi Bar; a walk-in greenhouse; a wine shop, and a Chocolate Enrobing Station in the bakery.
The store also includes a Whole Body shop that, Whole Foods claims, "will feature the largest selection of luxurious natural and organic body care items and cosmetics in New York City."
The new Columbus Circle store will also have: "a special Beauty Pod for ongoing makeovers and consultations with beauty experts; A Trial Bar, offering take-home samples of any personal care item in the department; a Soap Bar, featuring a variety of artisan and homemade pure soaps; and a Made In New York section."
Moderator's Comment: Have grocery retailers rediscovered urban America? What is behind this?
The current issue of Supermarket News includes a story on the number of grocers that are opening stores in urban areas. David Merrifield, SN's Executive Editor, writes in his editorial that one factor leading stores back from the suburbs is that they "enjoy some insulation from competition, and are seen as a service by a grateful and increasingly affluent populace."- George Anderson - Moderator