Whole Foods Debuts Atlanta Flagship Store

Whole Foods Market is fueling its expansion across the Southeast with the debut of its new Midtown Atlanta flagship store, which will celebrate its grand opening April 5.

Located at 22 14th St. NW, the 70,000-square-foot multilevel space marks the retailer’s 500th location and largest store in the Southeast. Touted as a community gathering destination, the new store features four fast-casual eateries, including a rooftop bar, offering exclusive food menus and selections of locally sourced beer and wine. The store will also feature a variety of natural, organic and locally sourced items, as well as prepared food bars such as a build-your-own avocado toast station, a lettuce wrap bar and a skillet bar.

“We can’t wait to welcome customers into this one-of-a-kind Whole Foods Market,” said Abibou N’Diaye, Whole Foods’ store team leader, in a statement. “From its extensive selection of responsibly sourced, local and innovative product offerings to its four unique dining spaces, to its Atlanta-inspired design elements that capture the spirit of the community, we are confident that this store will offer something for a variety of tastes, preferences and purposes.”

With an emphasis on local engagement, Whole Foods’ Midtown Atlanta store features more than 100 beers and 1,000 wines, including many locally produced options, while the bakery department features locally produced artisan breads and a variety of desserts, including macaron ice cream sandwiches.

Related:Whole Foods to Discontinue 365 Rollout: Report

Fresh offerings include an expansive produce department with seasonal fruits and vegetables, as well as items from regional growers, and an in-store produce butcher available to cut fruits and vegetables while customers shop the store.

The meat department is designed with a meat-cutting room featuring full-service, old-world-style butcher services, while the full-service seafood department offers premium items such as poke, ceviche and local oysters.

Foodservice options range from hot and cold prepared food bars featuring seasonal dishes, ready-to-eat soup, self-serve pizza, a Genji sushi counter, a salad bar and a made-to-order sandwich station, as well as plant-focused grain bowls, a juice bar offering made-to-order smoothies, and pop-up stations that will rotate seasonally throughout the year.

Additional store highlights include a specialty foods section with a variety of cheeses, coffee and chocolates, plus 150 bulk scoop items and a body care department featuring a number of local products.

Whole Foods, based in Austin, Texas, has resumed its expansion across the Southeast after putting its rapid rollout on pause following a downturn in its business prior to its acquisition by Amazon in 2017. The company recently revealed that the chain is dropping its 365 banner after announcing its plans to discontinue expansion of the price-focused format, citing diminishing distinctions between its flagship banner and the 365 concept.

The retailer’s Midtown Atlanta store will celebrate its grand opening over three days beginning at 7 a.m. April 5, featuring free coffee from a local supplier, pastries and live music. The first 500 customers in line will receive a token valid for a canvas tote bag with their purchase. On April 6 and 7, the first 150 customers in line will receive a gift card valued between $5 and $100, and the store will feature live music and in-store samplings throughout the day.

The store will employ approximately 350 full-time and part-time employees, and will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.