Whole Foods Market
ONE WALL STREET, 66 BROADWAY
MANHATTAN
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 56th
in the northeast region. —G.H.
PHOTOS:
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
SUMMER 2023 23
STORE TOUR
Esther Crain is a New York City-based
freelance writer.
George Hajjar is content development
associate for Specialty Food Association.
