“Whole Foods Market believes healthy living becomes more important during recessionary times. This is the perfect time to provide the Centennial community with healthier choices for everyday grocery shopping,” said Rob Plutt, Store Team Leader. 

 Centennial shoppers will have the opportunity to get a sneak peek of the new Whole Foods Market SouthGlenn store before it officially opens for business through community tours on Thursday, June 11^th and Friday, June 12^th.   Whole Foods Team Leaders will introduce shoppers to the unique attributes of each department and end with a self-shopping spree of free sample products.  The public is invited to sign up at: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/southglenn/

 “Centennial is an outdoorsy and very health-conscious community.  In keeping with Whole Foods Market’s commitment to community service and support, our new SouthGlenn store is a sponsor of the Centennial Relay for Life to benefit the American Cancer Society on June 12^th and 13^th” said Leandra Lipson, Store Marketing Specialist.  “We hope the community can look to us for many partnerships, from schools to non-profit organizations.”

 To create a sustainable and healthy work environment, the SouthGlenn Whole Foods Market will integrate many green building and operational initiatives.  The construction team is working with Green Globes (http://www.thegbi.org/), an online rating and assessment system for eco-friendly design and operating functions. The finished building will go through the Green Globes on-site certification process.  Specific unique features include high efficiency refrigerators, walk-ins and coolers to maximize energy usage and conscious lighting choices such as solar tracking skylights.

 SouthGlenn will feature the largest prepared food section of all the Colorado Whole Foods Market stores and it will sell a bounty of local food with more than 1,200 local products and 1,500 private label items which still match Whole Foods Market’s stringent quality standards.  Families of Centennial will especially enjoy the convenient to go prepared foods as well as the extensive bulk aisle for high value shopping.

 The store officially opens its doors on Monday June 15^th.  Regular store hours are 8 a.m to 10 p.m. with the coffee bar opening daily at 7 a.m.

Inventive retailing is the hallmark of the Whole Foods Market Boulder plan. By experimenting with new store formats and concepts and re-tooling and investing in capital improvements in existing stores, all Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Markets stores in Boulder will remain open. Company plans for renovation and expansion of its thriving Pearl Street location will add more than 200 jobs by 2010, and retail square footage in Boulder for natural foods supermarkets will actually increase from pre-merger levels. Plus, a few old retail favorites, Ideal Market and Alfalfa’s Market, will be preserved and renewed, respectively.

“Whole Foods Market is honored to serve the community of Boulder, home to so many of the pioneers of the natural and organics products industry,” said Will Paradise, president of Whole Foods Market Rocky Mountain Region.

“Wild Oats is a homegrown company from Boulder and we have a lot of respect and reverence for that. We’re excited to simultaneously honor heritage retailers while innovating and testing new concepts in Boulder,” said Paradise, who embarks on a 12-day tour tomorrow of all 23 Wild Oats Markets locations in five states in order to hold Town Hall meetings with their team members.

No other announcements regarding the status of Wild Oats stores in other Whole Foods Market regions have been made. Paradise said decisions regarding the Boulder stores were a priority given that it is the hometown of Wild Oats Markets.

The following announcements were made today by Whole Foods Market:

1. On Tuesday, Sep. 28 Whole Foods Market signed the lease for expanding space of its Pearl St. store into the current Barnes & Noble location, for what will be a 73,000 sq. ft. Whole Foods Market, making it the largest store in Colorado and one of the largest stores in the company, nationally. With a targeted opening date in late-2010, the expanded store will employ 500 team members representing more than 200 additional jobs.
2. North Boulder neighborhood favorite Ideal Market (14,000 sq. ft.) will remain true to its 65-year heritage in Boulder and continue operations as Ideal Market under Whole Foods Market leadership. The company intends to invest in significant upgrades to the store. The distinct flavor and personality of Ideal Market will be preserved. Over time, the store’s product mix will be harmonized with quality standards consistent to Whole Foods Market.
3. Alfalfa’s Market Returns! Whole Foods Market will update the Broadway and Arapahoe store’s (21,500 sq. ft.) design while returning this historic grocery store to its roots as Alfalfa’s Market. This decision is a tribute to a retailer Whole Foods Market believes was one of the early pioneers of natural grocery in the United States and at one time was the number one natural foods retail location in the country.
4. The Baseline Road Wild Oats Markets (18,500 sq. ft.) store will be converted to an entirely new experimental concept for Whole Foods Market entitled “Whole Foods Market Express.” This new convenience-focused concept for the company will offer a value-oriented product mix, grab-and-go offerings, and will be a practical fit for its neighborhood, especially with the high concentration of University of Colorado students nearby. Whole Foods Market views this new “Express” concept as the type of innovation that is especially true to Boulder’s natural and organic products industry roots.
5. The Wild Oats Markets’ location in Superior (32,500 sq. ft.) will undergo slight renovation and will eventually change its name to Whole Foods Market.
6. The 29th Street Wild Oats Markets’ location will not be opened, and Whole Foods Market will sub-lease or sell the retail space to a non-food business.
7. Whole Foods Market has announced that it will permanently lower prices at all 23 Wild Oats Market locations in the Rocky Mountain region so that store pricing is consistent. The lower prices will be kicked off in the next few weeks with a 10-percent-off weekend at all Wild Oats locations in the region.

“We are enthusiastic to bring high quality and delicious food at a great value to the Jefferson County community. Everyone says they want to live near a Whole Foods Market and we have made it possible for this community,” said Belmar Store Marketing Director, Allison Trembly.

Among the many exciting features of the new Belmar store are: a 96-foot meat department, an in-house meat and seafood smoker, a sit-down seafood restaurant, an organic salad bar, and freshly baked artisan breads. The store will also boast a rainbow of hand-stacked produce, fresh in-house sushi, an olive and antipasti bar and handmade, natural doughnuts. In addition to these culinary delights, the store will also offer a comprehensive selection of body care products and a full line of organic baby wear.

A Focus on Local and Regional Foods and Manufacturers

Whole Foods Market maintains a strong commitment to offering local and regional foods and is a proud participant in the Colorado Proud program. Whole Foods Market recognized early on that, to maintain its regional identity and support regional producers, it needed to set a limit on the number of products it would purchase nationally. Purchasing local and regional products allows Whole Foods Market and its customers to support unique local economies, farmers and flavors while enjoying the widest variety of fresh fruits and vegetables available in any season.

“Our local products vary from nut butters to goat yogurts,” said Rocky Mountain Grocery Field Associate Jerard Whitehead. “Buying locally not only gives the shoppers a chance for the freshest products possible, but it also provides tremendous support to the local farmers and ranchers. We are proud of our relationships with our regional manufacturers. We are working together as true partners.”

Destine’s Goat Yogurt, Evan’s Salsa, Roberto’s Salsa, Blue Moose Salsa, Boulder Hot Salsa, Nest Fresh Eggs, Clark’s Honey, Nita Crisp Crackers, Sister Pantry Peanut Sauce/ Cilantro Lime Sauce, Justin’s Nut Butter, Fiona’s Granola and Little Kettle Popcorn are among the foods fresh from the farm that can be plucked from the shelves at Whole Foods Market.

Andy Clark, Colorado Facility Team Leader for the Colorado Bakehouse, said, “Our local producers provide a wealth of high quality baking ingredients. For our Bakehouse products, for example, we purchase honey from Madhava, a 13-employee local honey producer in Lyons, CO; and all-natural, organic flour from Rocky Mountain Milling in Platteville, CO.

Joe Lippis from Lippis Farm in Colorado said, “Whole Foods Market has saved my farm and kept my business alive. I don’t know what I would have done with my Organic Farm without your store. You are good business.”

Top Ten Reasons Whole Foods Market Buys Locally

• Stay connected to the seasons Local farm production allows shoppers to experience seasonal and regional flavors, along with a wider range of crops, including heirloom and unique varieties.
• Reduce distance from farm to plate The average produce travels 1,500 miles from farm to plate. Buying closer to home reduces the distance, transportation costs and the environmental impact.
• Get the freshest available Community farmers offer the most flavorful pick of seasonal produce fresh from the field to the stores and shoppers.
• Enjoy your produce more Fruits allowed to ripen on the tree longer simply taste better! Buying from local farmers ensures these flavorful, fresh products reach shoppers faster.
• Put a face behind the product Local farmers interact with the communities and the markets they supply and are thus more available for suggestions from Whole Foods Market and shoppers.
• Support local jobs Giving back to the community is one of the core values of Whole Foods Market. Supporting local family farmers and co-operatives creates and saves local jobs.
• Support local communities Buying locally-grown products keeps that money in the pockets of the farmers in the shared community.
• Support independent farming Independent farmers are personally concerned with quality, sustainability and the community. They are able to make decisions on how to treat their own land.
• Provide farmers with a living wage Local farmers often sell directly to the markets. By eliminating the middle man, they receive the full price for their product.
• Support responsible land development Small, local farms and grower co-operatives are a valuable part of the communities in which they exist, caring for the land and preserving open spaces.

The new Belmar store, along with all other Colorado Whole Foods Market stores, runs on wind power from Renewable Choice Energy, a local Colorado-based company and a leading national provider of wind power.

Whole Foods Market celebrated the Belmar opening by a Bread Breaking at 9:30 a.m. followed by its official opening at 10 a.m. today.

Regular store hours will be 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“We can’t wait to be a part of, and support this community and satisfy and delight our new shoppers. We offer the best organic and natural products available, combined with exceptional customer service. Our exciting new features range from a seafood restaurant within the store, to our fresh salsa bar in the produce department,” said Store Marketing Director Saskia Cervantes.

Themes at the new Whole Foods Market are “in-house” and “ready.” Every department offers as much variety as a stand-alone specialty shop, with tempting treats ready to be plucked by busy shoppers on the go. Special features include homemade tortillas; an in-house coffee roaster; a brick hearth-fired pizza oven; a salad, soup and hot food bar, featuring tastes from around the world; and a gourmet chef’s case selections. Those choosing to linger a bit longer can enjoy a delectable meal at the full-service, sit-down seafood restaurant with a spectacular selection of seafood dishes made on the spot.

Even with an emphasis on convenient gourmet options, the heart of the Tamarac store is still firmly rooted in the basics, with a rainbow of one of the most extensive arrays of gorgeous, hand-stacked seasonal fruits and vegetables for which Whole Foods Market has become famous. A wide variety of artisan cheeses beg to be paired with a crusty loaf of fresh-baked bread and treats from the olive and antipasti bar. And for desserts, the store provides pastries and cakes made fresh daily, homemade donuts and — moving a bit beyond basics — a chocolate enrobing fountain for dipping fresh fruits or cookies in chocolate. Every department features an array of products true to the Whole Foods Market standard — free of artificial additives, sweeteners, colorings, preservatives and hydrogenated oils.

This new location places an emphasis on the meat department’s “Paradise Barbecue,” another sit down eatery within the store. A variety of options such as fresh smoked pulled pork and chopped beef barbecue will also be available. The in-house meat and seafood smokers will prepare any item to perfection on request. The store also features in-house handmade sausages, a dry-aged beef program and an extensive oven and grill-ready meat selection. Whole Foods Market’s standards for natural meat and poultry go far beyond what the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires for labeling meat or poultry as “natural.” Meat and poultry at Whole Foods Market are free of antibiotics, added growth hormones and artificial additives and preservatives.

The store also boasts a wine shop called The Merchant of Vino, specializing in regional, family-owned wineries, microbreweries and organics products, as well as thousands of selections from regions of the United States, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina and many other areas of the world. “The Merchant of Vino is an extraordinary wine and beer shop with a broad range of selections for every budget and unsurpassed customer service. We provide the best quality products available from the great wine and beer regions around the world, and our knowledgeable Team Members will help you explore all the store has to offer. We would love to recommend a pairing for your next meal or gathering,” said Merchant of Vino Team Leader Rob Slaughter.

The new Whole Foods Market also features a Whole Body department with a vast array of natural body and nutrition items including a complete line of supplements and herbs, cosmetics and body care products. The store even has an in-house massage corner, where customers may take a short respite from their busy schedules and have a massage before or after their shopping. The store will also feature a Whole Baby department with an amazing selection of organic cotton baby clothes.

To celebrate the opening of the Tamarac store, Whole Foods Market opened the doors by breaking a giant loaf of ciabatta bread at 9:30 a.m. followed by its official opening at 10 a.m. today. Fresh grilled food greeted customers outside as they entered and an abundance of tasty treats were available inside for sampling.

District Councilwoman Peggy Lehman joined Rocky Mountain Regional President Will Paradise and other Whole Foods Market leaders to officially open the store.

Regular store hours will be 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Merchant of Vino hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.