I tried to get away from the bakery all morning, but I kept getting stuck!! Sheet pans to stack, bread to bag, customers to serve!
I joked the other day “I hope I can slip away from my bakery job to the Whole Foods opening.” And a reader responded “Kath, as a blogger it is your job to go to the Whole Foods opening!” I knew I couldn’t miss it
Granola tided me over..
But finally – WHOLE FOODS!!!!!!!!!!!!
To say this store is amazing would be an understatement.
I knew the store was moving. Our tiny Whole Foods was about the size of our bakery! I knew the new store would be pretty. But I had NO IDEA it would be as big, bold and beautiful as it was!!
There are huge walls of wood, local products (well labeled!) everywhere.
A SALT bulk section as well as a DRIED MUSHROOM bulk section!
Check out the bulk granola bar!! I kept turning new corners and finding huge new displays. SO many more products! A whole raw foods section.
DAVE – Shenandoah Joe – was there with local coffee!!
I tasted some coffee, some hummus, gazpacho, shrimp, and WINE! I was in awe. I kept squealing to employees how I felt like I had won the lottery. This is my Whole Foods! I feel so spoiled now. Coming from Charlotte where we didn’t even have one – I’m so excited! Also, it’s closer to my house!!
There is even a full bar area with wine and tons of local Virginia beers on tap – where you can fill a growler! I raved over the cool label and the girl handed me a liter to take home to Matt!!
Pretty!
I went with Allie from work so we sat down to salads before we headed back
Veggies, tempura sweet potato, maple whipped sweet potatoes, lots of kale, curry cauliflower and fruit.
Green kombucha on the side
Back at the bakery now. I left took over the store while Matt took a nap on our office floor! Off to bag some bread.
And Cville, we still have Cinnamon Chip + Cheddar Garlic left! And lots of Pumpkin Muffins!
-KERF, Whole Foods Journalist
Amy says
OMG. Cannot wait to see it in person. It looks incredible! Was it crowded??
KathEats says
Not in a bad way. Samples everywhere!
Mom says
Nothing like samples!
Gavi @ GaviGetsGoing! says
WOW–I have never seen a Whole Foods like that! Whole Foods just opened up another location in San Francisco, but the local produce and food selection doesn’t even compare to what your new one offers. You are one lucky lady!
Angie @ Musings of a Violet Monkey says
Ha,ha. I love it! It looks amazing.
I’m still stuck here in Charlotte, where they have FINALLY broken ground on our Whole Foods. Just have to wait another year now! 🙁
I was in Asheville last weekend, and shocked to see that Greenlife Grocery had been purchased by Whole Foods. So, I squealed with joy (not that I didn’t love Greenlife as it was, but it was better now!) and shopped my little heart out, on vacation. It was great.
~
Teniesha @ Vegan on the Go-Go says
Oh, am I jealous! Whole Foods is easily one of the things I miss most here in France. That granola bar is genius! 😀
Jennifer says
WOW!!!! What a store!! I wish we had one near us. 🙁 I love the bulk section idea.
Glad you found time to check it out. 🙂
Aileen says
I am checking it out today. So excited!!! Hi! I was one of the mess of people who came in to say hi to you on Saturday! The bread was so soft and squishy and yummy!
KathEats says
Thanks for coming in!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
Weeeeeee!! Let’s go everyday for lunch!
…then it’ll really really really be Whole Paycheck.
KathEats says
Laughing out loud
Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats says
AHHHH how exciting!! My town is getting a WF in the near future and I am just as pumped about it as you are. Sure I can’t afford to shop there every week, but it’s so nice to have the option. Plus I just love wandering around discovering new produce & products. LOVE!
Alexa @ Simple Eats says
I love the feeling of walking into a whole foods…this one sounds amazing!
Melissa @ HerGreenLife says
We stopped at our local Whole Foods for lunch in the middle of a bicycle instructor training on Sunday. My plate, while delicious, did leave quite a dent in my wallet.
No big deal, until Sunday night and yesterday, when I definitely had some GI issues 🙁 While it’s often hard, if not impossible, to pinpoint the sources, salad bars and buffets are notorious as locations for food poisoning. Not to say that I won’t eat there again, but I might be a bit less enthusiastic.
Yay on having a nice WF nearby, though!
Cait's Plate says
I can’t believe they let you take pictures in there! I always get yelled at! So exciting you have a Whole Foods near you! I’m personally a Trader Joe’s enthusiast myself, but Whole Foods is most definitely second best in my book!
KathEats says
They were watching me! I think because it’s a “press” day?!
r8chel says
Whenever I want to take photos inside a store, I just use my iPhone camera and hope they’ll think I’m texting or checking my shopping list or something. 🙂 The pictures are inferior, of course, but I’m less likely to get caught!
Mary Frances says
Is there something wrong with taking photographs in a store or restaurant? Can you be prevented from doing it, or can they take it away from you? I was just wondering…It never occurred to me it would be a problem. It would seem to me they would appreciate the ‘free’ publicity or compliment that someone would want to preserve their memory of visiting.
KathEats says
Yeah, they think you’re going to copy their displays
Khushboo says
Just out of curisity, would you be ok if a custome tried to photograph the GH displays?
KathEats says
Yeah, that’s fine with me!! I may be biased because I’m a blogger though
Olena says
I also often get no-nos when taking pics in stores. I use a small camera and try to be discrete but do it anyways.
Twyla says
I love Whole Foods but Trader Joe’s is my favorite too!!!!
Katie says
I am so jealous of the whole foods! I wish where I lived we had one, I do not ever see that happening : p
Alison @ Hospitality Haven says
I’m jealous. I don’t have a Whole Foods in my city at all. 🙁 Perhaps one day!
Summer @ Well-rounded Hippie says
The closest Whole Foods stores to us are in Dublin and Cincinnati, Ohio. My sister is relocating to Cincy soon and I’m trying to talk her into living near Whole Foods! So happy for you yet so jealous!
Charise says
I live a 5-10 min drive from the Dublin WF … it is both awesomely convenient and dangerous for my grocery budget. 🙂 Where in Ohio are you at?
Summer @ Well-rounded Hippie says
I’m actually in Dayton. But used to live in Columbus so I go back there frequently. You are SO lucky! Enjoy!
Laura @ prettylittlewords says
zomg. SO JEALOUS.
Johanna B says
Do you think I have time to drive from Topeka before you close? I’d like some of your pumpkins muffins.
KathEats says
Pedal to the metal!!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
that’s a gorgeous whole foods! you should see the original one in austin, tx – amazing!!!
Mary Frances says
I was going to say the same thing, but waited to scroll down to see if someone else referenced it. I went there during SXSW! While I didn’t want to minimize Kath’s new store, she will be blown away if she ever visits that ‘original’ location. Also, Kath got it wrong that she is so excited that it’s closer to her house. In reality, they knew how wonderful she is for Cville and how busy she is so they intentionally closed the other location just to build a bigger and better one to be more conveniently located for her 🙂 !!!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
i was there for SXSW as well! what a small world.
Tanya @ Vegan Faith says
I’m convinced, I’m moving to Charlottesville. It is just too fantastic! I am definitely coming to visit you this summer!
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] says
What a BEAUTY of a grocery store!
Sarah for Real says
Oooh fancy schmancy! I’m so jealous of the salt section.
I like the wood stud look on the walls, though it’s obviously decorative. (No insulation on an exterior wall? I don’t think so!) But it is way cuter than boring old paint!
Gina (Yogattude) says
I love Whole Foods! I can walk to ours from my apartment (swoon!) I remember going NUTS as a kid over free samples at the grocery store…ok maybe I still do a little;)
Amanda (The Nutritionist Reviews) says
The new store looks awesome!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
Between you and Allie, I am so JEALOUS of your whole foods! I don’t have any within 50 miles 🙁 A salt bar? for real?
Freya (Brit Chick Runs) says
OH you are so lucky!!! I would love love love to live near a massive WFs – my nearest one is a 3hr train ride away!
I gotta say Kath, you have amazing legs! They look so strong (and I meant hat 100% in a good way) – I’m very jealous!
KathEats says
Thanks 😉
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Kath I’m so happy for you that you have this shiny, happy, new WFs!
You are exuding sheer joy in these pics!! I’d also love to know how you get such great pics from strangers? When ever I hand my camera off to others (not my dslr either!) to say I am underwhelmed would be an understatement 🙂
Love your enthusiasm in this post and thanks for the other email 🙂
Natalie @ Will Jog For Food says
That Whole Foods looks so good! I’ve never heard of one with all that stuff…and beers ON TAP? I would be in heaven!
Kim@ The Future Dr. B-S says
Love whole foods- ours is nowhere near that size! I have to stay away because I always end up spending $15 on a salad. That is a problem
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn says
Oh my god I am SWOOOONING. I want to EAT it. I need a Whole Foods nearby, the closest one is three hours!! I think I would just eat my lunch in granola every day there.
Leslie says
I am jealous of your new Whole Foods! It looks so inviting and pretty. We have one right across the street from my office (downtown Baltimore) which is great but:
1.) It’s small-ish
2.) Grocery stores in MD can’t sell alcohol, which is a major bummer because I love local wine/beer selections!
I cant wait to see what you do with those bulk sections!
Meg says
Hi. I am in MD and have been to quite a few grocery stores that cell alcohol. I do know that they can’t sell on sundays, though. Have you tried Eddie’s?
Leslie says
Really??? Which ones, because as far as I know MD law prevents the sale of alcohol in grocery and convenience stores. Eddies is so yummy! I love that place. I did some googling and it looks like it also varies by county plus some places are grandfathered in (looks like eddie’s is one of them)…I do know of one random 7-11 out in Howard County that sells beer. It would just be SO nice to have beer and wine in Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods.
Heidi - apples under my bed says
wow, this is awesome!! But such a tease!!! I wish we had something similar here in Aus. Cant wait to check out a wholefoods when I go to the US in 2 months. Squeeeee! Great post 🙂
Heidi xo
Chloe (South Beach Girl) says
I love Whole Foods but they really are Whole Paycheck to me. Definitely a fun place to treat myself though, and I’m sure if I went frequently I would know what items to buy that were on sale or higher quality than other supermarkets.
Looks fantastic!
Valerie @ City|Life|Eats says
I lived in NYC when the Time Warner WF and Lower East Side ones had just opened (both were considered even more high-end than a regular WF), and I am so impressed that WF has taken that model of more specialty goodness with every new store it has opened 🙂
Robyn @ Blueberries and Oats says
Ahh! I want a Whole Foods! I love health food stores. I could seriously browse for a whole day. You’re very lucky!
Lindsey says
That Whole Foods looks amazing! I am so jealous – we don’t have one where I live in Canada. And I haev only been once in Miami and the stoer wasn’t near as nice as that one! Enjoy!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
I’m surprised you had any time to get away. Dang that’s a pretty store! I’m glad you got to go check it out. Enjoy the rest of your day!
Molly @ RDexposed says
I’m so jealous!! I don’t have a WF or TJ for miles and miles….and miles……and miles!
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
WOW that Whole Foods looks amazing! Ours is kind of small.. but it is defintely bigger then your old one! Enjoy all of the new goodies in that store 🙂
Simply Life says
oh that’s so exciting!
Jill in Chicago says
A SALT bar? I’m so jealous! Well, we do have a nice new WF here in Chi (along with two others, one that is a few blocks from my house, so yes, I am spoiled) but no salt bar 🙂
Fun day!
Tori (Fresh Fruition) says
Wow, that WF is amazing! I haven’t been to either of the ones nearest us since they’re still a bit of a drive away, but I hope ours are as big and amazing as that!
Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me says
Wow! I’m jealous! I don’t have any whole foods near me…well maybe like an hour and a half away but I don’t consider that near me. 😉
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
What a beautiful Whole Foods!!!
Laurie says
The whole foods looks great..we’ll never get one here in Rochester but we do have our Wegmans. what do you do with your leftovers? Are you stocking your freezer 🙂 after that fills you may want to consider donating to a local food bank and taking a business deduction!
KathEats says
We take them to the Blue Ridge Food Bank!
Kori says
That’s awesome!
Laurie says
Good minds think alike!
Lisa (bakebikeblog) says
oooh I am super jealous! Cant wait to visit a Whole Foods when I travel to the USA in 6 weeks time!
Amanda (Eating Up) says
That WF is incredible! And I’ve even seen the flagship one in Austin!
Miranda @ Working Mom Works Out says
I’m so jealous. Next time you’re in there, can you pass along the request for a store in Huntsville, AL? I’m sure they’ll listen to you. 😉
Justeen @ Blissful Baking says
When I saw the Whole Foods last time I was in Charlottesville, I was less than impressed, but this new one looks SO AWESOME! I can’t wait to start shopping there in August!
kris (everyday oats) says
Salt and dried mushroom bulk section?? This WF’s looks even MORE awesome than the giant one in Austin, TX!!
Jil @ Big City, Lil Kitchen says
What a gorrgeous WF!!
Kate says
Ugh, I cringe every time you tout whole foods. If you only knew the terrible lengths they have gone to in order to put smaller, local grocery stores out of business (they pulled some really awful things during a legal battle here in Oregon in order to obtain proprietary information about New Seasons Markets… when they weren’t even INVOLVED in the lawsuit) I would HOPE you wouldn’t love them nearly as much. Whole foods is the walmart of organic and natural groceries.
KathEats says
Well I still support Integral Yoga, Cville Market, the farmer’s market and more, so I feel I’m pretty well diversified and supportive of large + small
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Ohhh… wine tasting mid-day?! You better hope your boss isn’t reading this. LOL!
KathEats says
Hahah
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
I was so excited when a Whole Foods opened near me a few years ago! It’s only five miles away but I wish it were closer- then again, I may not have any money left…
Viki says
I’m so jealous…That Whole Foods looks amazing. There is only one in downtown Toronto and I live WAY out in the suburbs, so it’s definitely not convenient. We had another store open up called “Planet Organic” close to my work and it was like a mini Whole Foods. I would go 2 to 3 times a week! Well, of course, it closed down after a couple of years. I came home so upset the day I found out that it was closing and my husband couldn’t understand why! I miss it so much…
stace says
We have a whole foods in production! Right now it is a pile of ruble. I can not wait. Unfortunately, we don’t have another “old” whole foods in the mean time. I drive by it every day and just dream of the day it opens!
Sarah says
Ok, I’m just a little bit jealous. My nearest Whole Foods is 45 minutes away. (But I guess it keeps me from spending too much at the hot bar, like I likely would!)
Cassie @ Naturally Cassie says
I am sooo jealous, your new whole foods looks amazingggg!
& there is nothing better than good samples =]
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Holy granola, batman! I’m jealous!
Baking 'n' Books says
We are so beautiful in those shots – your skin is glowing and so clear.
Poor Matt – hope his back isn’t sore from the floor!
I wish WF’s existed near me – I’d love to try that Hot Bar – but I hear it’s uber-expensive – so it’s probably a good thing I don’t have it…I’m way too impulsive around food.
staceyhealthylife says
Wow that’s a pretty amazing Whole Foods, so jealous. I thought my local Whole Foods was amazing. But yours is even better.
Amanda Jewell says
I’m sure I’ll be sending you a “Welcome to the addicted to Whole Foods group” card soon 🙂
Melissa says
A+ work, Kath! I can’t wait to get back to the awesome WF near my parents’ house in Michigan this summer. A good WF really takes the cake, doesn’t it?
Stephanie @cookinfanatic says
Store looks great! I’m loving that salt bar, their hickory smoked sea salt is seriously phenomenal and I’d love to try more!
wendy sue says
I can’t wait to go! I’ll be back to the bakery again soon, my cinnamon chip loaf is all gone already!
Justy2003 says
I missed the opening last week (due to traveling) but wanted to say CONGRATS on the successful opening of your very own Great Harvest! Things seem to be going well and hopefully that will continue for you both. You guys definitely deserve it!
KathEats says
Thanks!
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday says
I love how you guys can just buy booze at the grocery store in the States.
“I’ll take some organic apples and a two-four, thank you very much.”
It’s so strange.
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
I recently went to a WF with a trail mix bar – it was amazzzing!
Kat @ Cupcake Kat says
Looks awesome! You are so lucky. I am so happy that you were able to go, I would be just as excited
Hannah (tickledtofu) says
OMG so jealous! If only my town could somehow get a whole foods!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
Ahhh I’m SO jealous! That sounds so amazing.. and I thought my WF was great!
Luv What You Do says
I was at my Whole Foods the day it opened last year as well. I love the new stores and everything they have added. I’m sure you have the coffee bar as well and I highly suggest the pumpkin latte or the Peach Roobis Iced Tea!
Katie says
WOW! I’m so jealous! That makes my Whole Foods look boring. 🙁
Emily says
It looks amazing! I am obsessed with WF but really glad that the two local stores are a few miles drive and a several minutes of traffic away!
Angel7 says
I wish we had a Whole Foods store near us!!! We have small health food stores, but nothing of the caliber of Whole Foods. You are so fortunate 🙂
It is funny how when I am in a Whole Foods store, or any kind of store of that nature, I get so excited, because I am encompassed by a plethora of healthy foods and such! It is all about obtaining optimal health!
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
To say I’m jealous is an understatement. That Whole Foods sounds amazing! We don’t have one; our closest one is 75 miles away. I make the trip when I can, but I would LOVE to have one nearby!! Sigh. Maybe one day soon. 🙂
Candy (Healthy in Candy Land) says
I am ridiculously jealous of your beautiful Whole Foods! The nearest one to us is 45 minutes away in the next city! I got “in trouble” trying to take photos there last year. Don’t they understand how much we love them?
Hannah says
Best beer bottle ever!
S.garcia says
I am going to be working in a new Houston location!! We open June 22 😀 sooooo very excited! It is beyond words!
Khushboo says
Whole Foods journalist- I can only think of one job better: Whole Foods taster!
Metaxia says
SOOOOOOOO Jealous! I live in Canada where there isnt a whole foods in sight 🙁
Allison @ Happy Tales says
Ahhhhhh I am SO jealous!!! At least Charlotte is finally getting one. In 2012. At least it’s not toooo far away…
lauri (RedHeadRecipes.com) says
Wow! Niiiiice! I’ve only been to whole foods twice since we’ve been down here.. I wasn’t super impressed the first time, I liked it a little more the second time… Now I just think I need to spend more time in the store looking around!
We are waiting for the GRAND OPENING of Trader Joe’s in Mt Pleasant! Stoked 😀
Lynda@Me and My Pink Mixer says
Wow, I didn’t realize Charlottesville was getting a new store! I live in Harrisonburg and can’t wait to check it out next time I am in the area. Love your blog and am also going to stop by your bakery on my next trip too 🙂