Whole Foods Market recently opened in a landmark building in New York City’s Financial District, adjacent to the New York Stock Exchange.
The building was constructed between 1929 and 1931 and originally housed the Irving Trust Company. The current aesthetic pays homage to the original Art Deco style of the architect, Ralph Thomas Walker. For example, the original elevators hang on the vaulted walls above the first floor’s self-checkout area and the letterbox was preserved in the basement.
John Lawson, senior local forager for Whole Foods Market, explains that the building’s landmark status meant the company was restricted in how it could build within the space.
“This has helped to create a maze-like effect,” particularly in the basement, that “helps section off each area,” Lawson explains.
The 42,000-square-foot store is divided into two floors. The first features a cafe, self-checkout area, floral department, a small local produce section, and a selection of grab-and-go foods and beverages, sushi, a self-serve station, and a prepared foods section. Lawson shared the intention behind the first floor was to serve people looking to come in to grab a quick bite or drink. As many of the clientele are office workers, tourists, and students, the space is made efficient to best serve them.
“The main entrance opens into a grab-and-go food hall with ready-to-eat meals that have been popular with the surrounding community for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks between commutes,” Steffen Jendrusch, store team leader says.
The basement houses the rest of the store, including the produce, bakery, beer and wine, meat, dairy, and center store departments. It also touts a large seating area for those who wish to eat in-store. The area is expansive, satisfying a “treasure hunting” experience.
The location features over 1,000 local items from New York City and the surrounding area, including many products that were first launched there, such as Xilli salsas, Dam Good English Muffins, Eleni’s Cookies, and Mmmly cookies. CHKP, a plant-based yogurt brand and Whole Foods Local and Emerging Accelerator Program graduate, also debuted in the store. It has since been rolled out to more locations across the country.
Lawson shares that beverages and grab-and-go items tend to do particularly well. Jendrusch agrees, adding that Partners Coffee and Nguyen Coffee Supply have seen recent success. This store is the grocer’s fifty-sixth in the northeast region.
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Image: Whole Foods Market