Whole Foods Readies New Unit in Seattle

Whole Foods Market, which recently reinforced its emphasis on regional fare with a “We Love Local" ad campaign, is poised to welcome West Seattle residents with a new store brimming with items from their own backyard.

Local items will be featured throughout the Austin, Texas-based grocer’s new 45,000-square-foot West Seattle store, located at 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW in The Whittaker apartment complex.

“We can’t wait to open our doors to the West Seattle community,” Gary Ruiz, store team leader, said in a statement. “Featuring products from more than 700 local suppliers, grocery items and prepared foods for all tastes and preferences and decor inspired by the scenes of Seattle, we’re excited for our neighbors to experience a Whole Foods Market designed specifically for this community.”

The new store, slated to open Oct. 9, includes an expansive in-house bakery that will offer an array of self-serve baked goods, such as cookies, cakes and breads, with a variety of items from local bakeries and for special diets.

Regional and seasonal fruits and vegetables are on tap in the produce department, which offers selections from 10 local suppliers. The full-service butcher department features housemade sausages, kebabs and chicken from local suppliers. And the specialty foods section is filled with cheeses, chocolates and pasta from more than 100 local suppliers.

West Seattle lovers of all things local, will be spoiled for choice in the wine, beer and spirits department, which will offer more than 300 beverages from local producers.

Other special features of the new store include a selection of cheeses overseen by an in-store American Cheese Society Certified Cheese Professional; a prepared foods section, with a wide selection of hot and cold food bars, charcuterie and plant-based offerings; and Brews and Blends, offering coffee, juice and tea, as well as seasonal varieties and made-to-order juice, smoothies and acai bowls.

Among the hundreds of products from local suppliers in the new store, 15 are recipients of Whole Foods Market’s Local Producer Loan Program, which provides low-interest loans to local producers to help grow their businesses.

To celebrate joining the community, 5% of the store’s net sales on Oct. 17 will benefit the West Seattle Helpline, which offers emergency assistance for members of the West Seattle and White Center communities. From opening day through the end of the year, all donations from Whole Foods Market’s bag credit program, which provides a credit to customers who bring their own shopping bags, will go to the West Seattle Food Bank, an organization dedicated to providing the community with access to safe and nutritious food.

Whole Foods Market has 10 additional stores in Washington.