November 20, 2007
Whole Foods Market Finally Coming to Richmond
Our friends over at RVA West have been doing a little snooping, and I’m happy to say they have confirmed what I have long heard as rumor.
Whole Foods Market is coming back to Richmond, to West Broad Village, the new shopping center across from Best Buy, where that beautiful farm used to be. The 60,000 square foot store will certainly be somewhere I frequent. With no Trader Joe’s in sight, and my love hate relationship with Ellwood Thompson’s, I hope they hurry this thing up. An opening date, is still not announced. I hope they are open by late spring or summer, when I least like to cook, so I can stop by their deli and pick up some forbidden rice salad, and baked tofu for diner.
And almost in my backyard since I’m in the Far West End. I can’t wait. Stop on the way to work to get lunch pre-made… Yum….
actually, Whole Foods is going to Henrico. The store will actually be closer to Goochland than Richmond, right?
I’m curious what your problems are with Ellwood’s. Personally, I prefer to shop at a local independent business over a large national chain whenever I can.
I’d love to shop at an independent business if I didn’t feel like my wallet was being gouged with knives every time I went in there.
A little competition, it would be nice.
I can’t disagree with you there. However, I don’t remember Whole Foods being exactly affordable (admittedly it’s been a while).
The first time I entered ET, I didn’t know about the sticker shock to come. I don’t recall now exactly what they were asking for those colorful bell peppers, but I do recall thinking: Jesus, I’m going to eat the things, not make art out of them. Oh, and I recall they were cronically out of a product I favored (and I gave up on waiting on the special order to arrive). Needless to say, I’ve not been a regular there. Looking forward to the arrival of Whole Foods!
I can’t wait!!!! I have been begging them for about 5-6 years to come to Richmond. I am originally from D.C. and I really miss shopping Whole Foods — or as Washingtonians fondly call it “Whole Paycheck”. I will still shop ElThom when car is on 1/2 tank but will probably stop shopping at Fresh Market.
Whole Foods is coming to the Short Pump area. We all know where that is right?
The store will be 10 minutes from my house in the Near West End, and only about 3 minutes farther than Ellwood’s.
I used to work at Ellwood’s so I am very familier with its inner workings. The customer service is very inconsistant (some really good, some really bad). The customer service at WF is excellent, especially considering it is a chain. And it is a great company to work for …Better than Ellwood’s for sure, really, check out their benefits and profit sharing!
But it’s the prices and quality in the prepared foods (deli area) where you will see the biggest difference. 1. The quality of the food is substantially better in my opionion 2. and the prices (if you buy sale or featured items) is WAAAAAY cheaper. Plus, they always encourage sampling, which is so helpful in a new market. I’ve noticed that Ellwood’s has increased what they sample recently — I’m sure this is in direct response to the impending arrival of WF.
That is great news. They will help raise the bar for Richmond-area supermarkets. Having frequented them in the DC area I agree with the “Whole Paycheck” nickname. I lived right next to one but could never justify using it as my sole supermarket because of the prices but loved shopping there. By the way, if Wegmans ever comes to town they blow all of the rest out of the water. The selection, quality and variety of Whole Foods with reasonable prices. I hope Wegmans makes its way down here too.
My problem w ET is location – i’m a SAHM in the far west end, and i dont like driving that far just to buy food! I do go to Good Foods sometimes, but honestly, the Ukrops next to me (John Rolfe) has almost as much selection as Good Foods does. And I know Whole Foods has more . . . i have multiple food sensitivities, so the number of products i can use is really limited … selection makes all the difference. Someone just told me that there’s a soy-free rice-milk chocolate at whole foods, and i’m holding my breath . ..
I’ve been shopping at ET since it was opened. The staff has gotten surly and the prices on many products are totally out of line with local competition. Since they were sold, it seems they have lost their soul to greed.
As an employee of Ellwood Thompson’s I wanted to chime in on some of the information above that is not all together accurate.
Ellwood Thompson’s was not sold.
E.T.’s prepared food and salad bar is organic while Whole Foods is not however E.T. charges $6.99 per pound while Whole Food’s is $7.99
ET has excellent employee benefits, including profit sharing, free health insurance for all FT employees, and 100% matching on their 401K to name just a few.
I choose to work at ET and am very proud to be a part of the very few independently owned Natural Food stores left in this country. It is nice to work for a company that you believe in what they are doing.
Unless they do something about the traffic out there I will not drive all the way out to Short Pump to shop for groceries. Even if it is a little more expensive at ET if it takes 30 minutes plus to drive each way plus who knows what for gas it may be a false economy.
FYI… I was in Trader Joe’s in Newport News yesterday… and they are thinking of opening in Short Pump. I told them about the Whole Foods, so we’ll see. I’m crossing my fingers right now!
The business column in today’s T-D confirmed that TJ’s is close to signing a deal to open next to the new Petco in Short Pump.
I live near Ellwood Thompson’s but would happily drive out to Whole Foods… ET is so over-rated and is generally much more expensive than Whole Foods. They’re also out of stock frequently on items I want. I’ve been hearing this WF rumor for about a year now, when will they get here?
I would gladly pollute the environment just to get some organic produce for cheaper!!! I can’t wait for WF or TJ’s!
Preparing to add a few more pounds of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere…
We live in Williamsburg but always visit Whole Foods in Vienna, VA when visiting my folks. We are very much looking forward to it coming to Richmond, though I’d rather have the farm there than more shopping. Short Pump is already saturated. Nevertheless, we wish WF would finally open. We also enjoy Ellwood Thompson, btw.
I agree completely about Wegmans. We always visit the Dulles store. The place is huge, though it has the atmosphere of a much smaller store. The prices are great, as is the selection, though we’ve noticed that the selection is not as great as it used to be. Unfortunately, Wegmans will most likely never come to Richmond or Williamsburg. As a family owned store, they choose not to go into areas where other family owned grocery chains exist (e.g. Ukrops). They are an ethical company (as is Ukrops) and do not engage in that sort of cutthroat business. That said, Wegmans is by far our favorite grocery store. You owe it to yourself to go to one.
Wow, growing up in PA, I’m vastly familiar with Wegman’s territories. Definitely an awesome store to check out. When I was living in Staunton recently, a Martin’s had recently been built which is more “corporatey” than Wegman’s but also a northern-based chain. If I had to choose between the two, I’d choose Wegman’s as well, FWIW.
WHEN! I pass the Short Pump area regularly and am not sure which bit of construction is the pending Whole Foods. Just when I think it’s about to pop, the latest new building turns out to be something else. Anyone know which and when for the new store?
I’m guessing late summer or fall. Look for the construction sign that says “West Broad Village”
I’ve become so impatient that I’ve increased my trips to No. VA and C’ville just because I can’t wait any longer!! Whole Foods is awesome. Their prices have dropped so much in the past few years and they have so much more to offer than our stores. Sadly, their customer service IS better than even the family owned chain we all love to hate. Ukrop’s has a lot of work ahead of them to even attempt to maintain a portion of their clients. So far, they’ve made about a 1% improvement. From what I’ve heard, all they’ve succeeded in doing is holding up certain building permits for the WFM project! I wouldn’t be surprised, though, if Trader Joe’s winds up opening before WFM. Better than nothing, I know.
Excellent news. WF is a gret place.
I’ll still shop at Fresh Market for the odd times I need something in a hurry.
Pitty poor Ukrops. They’ve become ratty – dirty floors, terrible produce and meat you can’t chew.
I hope Trader Joes comes to town too. Wouldn’t they be great with Ukrops Carrytown is now. If it wasn’t for needing to get the odd paper towel or Diet Coke, I’d NEVER go back to Ukrops.
YEAH !!! I totally agree.
george – TJ’s is coming, see post 15 above, it’ll be down the block from the new whole foods, opening this fall.
traderjoes.com/locations.asp
I have lived in Richmond now for almost 5 years and can’t understand anyone’s loyalty to ET’s. I continue to be stunned at the outright lack of knowledge of things required to run a grocery store like: produce storage, dairy products (moldy cheese), rotation of freezer stock, meat storage, etc. I have spent countless trips returning bad (overpriced) food. Recently I witnessed “local” chickens for sale that were displayed in a melting bucket of ice so that 1/2 the chicken was warm and uncovered. The thought has occurred to me on more than one occasion to report them to the Dept. of Health. Don’t even get me started on the staff! It is very sad that even with the “threat” looming of both WF and Trader Joes that neither ET’s, Ukrops or even Fresh Market has taken the time to improve themselves and possibly insure some level of market share. WF has its own problems to be sure, but quality is not one of them. I am delighted that the good people of Richmond will soon have other options.
I went to the west coast for one week and came back, headed to ET’s and the wraps that I love went up another $.50. Oh did I mention that they jumped up a whole dollar right before the Christmas holiday? By the way, the “Sampling” job was eliminated as well as another position because they’re “cutting costs.” One employee said that ET’s makes more money per square foot than any other health food store IN THE NATION! I still shop there, with much reluctance, but Whole Foods is going to be worth the trip1
I went to the west coast for one week and came back, headed to ET’s and the wraps that I love went up another $.50. Oh did I mention that they jumped up a whole dollar right before the Christmas holiday? By the way, the “Sampling” job was eliminated as well as another position because they’re “cutting costs.” One employee said that ET’s makes more money per square foot than any other health food store IN THE NATION! I still shop there, with much reluctance, but Whole Foods is going to be worth the trip!
I keep hoping against hope a gourmet retail of smaller local market will take over the former Ukrops store on Grace Street. I think the market is there, but they will have to balance the needs of years round residents against the student population.
Haliburton sends his gratitude and thanks to all of us willing to drive way out of our way in order to get what we want.
Why not buy local – as in local produce from farmers here in town? Isn’t that way more green than buying organic produce from a chain?
I agree Tiny, we should buy local and as close to home whenever possible.
Oil is as dirty and bloody as any drug on earth. I recommend Kurt Vonnegut’s last book, “A Man Without a Country.”
I’m moving to the Richmond area from Ann Arbor, MI and can’t imagine living more than 15 minutes from a Whole Foods. Just curious if the building process has started yet, and if so how far along it may be?
Cara – Good Foods DOES have the Rice Chocolate bar and it is DELICIOUS. My vegan daughter and I buy them way too much :)
Whole Foods opening date is Sept 3rd…info obtained from hiring info on their website, and confirmation from the store in Charlottesville.
Thanks Janet!!
Being that this blog is called Near West End, I’m guessing it is targeted to people in the Museum district (basically the Fan) and then west of the Boulevard.
If you have a car and you live in or around the fan, why would you watch your gas needle drop down to buy groceries from a chain, especially when that chain is in Short Pump.
Don’t get me wrong, Whole Foods is awesome. They started out as a small grocer, and now look at them. They have completed the dream of any local market.
In terms of prices, and being a loyal shopper to Ellwoods, Ellwood’s and WF are going to be in competition, duh. Ellwood’s is going to have things more expensive than WF, WF is going to have things that are more expensive than ET, but thats a no brainer. It’s always going to be like that.
And guess what, if no one has noticed yet, the economy is not in that great of standings. Gas prices are insane, thus the cost of everything is going up. Prices are only going up, not down, thats how it’s always going to be. You see prices in stores going up because of this. I don’t know how anyone can go into a store and be surprised by higher prices.
And if i’m correct, Ellwood’s buys mostly all local/organic ingredients now, which means the travel time of ingredients is less, using less gas, less costs. Think about it.
And from shopping in Charlottesville (where I am from) and living in Richmond, I have noticed that WF hardly has any organic produce, definitely not as much as they used to have. Did anyone else notice this? And stores in Charlottesville like Rebecca’s Natural Market and Integral Yoga are much more preferred than WF.
I have nothing against WF, again, but absolutely despise going to Short Pump period. It kills me that a store with the quality of WF, and with everything that WF believes in, chose the spitting image of suburban sprawl, Short Pump. I would never drive out there period unless to see a movie, to the traffic light, horn honking, SUV dominating, infested West End. Short Pump is a little Northern Virginia, ugh.
However, it is what it is, WF will be there Sept. 3, they are an excellent store, but if I have to pay a little more to go to Ellwood’s, MY community grocer, then so be it.
Ellwood’s is the only place I feel that I can easily ride by bike up too, fill my book bag with groceries, get 10 cents for bringing my bag, and 25 cents for riding my bike (I’d like to see anyone who rides their bike to Short Pump).
And I’d like to see WF even try and beat Ellwood’s vegan cookies.
Sean – I work for ET and I appreciate everything you just said. No, Ellwood’s isn’t perfect, but no store is – or if there is a perfect retail environment – let me know. I’d like to check them out. Ellwoods has things to improve and that’s why I love to read comments on blogs, good or bad, we learn when people share their opinions.
Personally, I love WF’s prepared foods and cheese selection, but you hit the nail on the head with their produce – so much of it is conventional.
As for traveling 20 miles to get my groceries (or anything else for that matter) – no way! I’ll shop closer to home. And I’ll spend my money with a local independent over a big box chain store any day.
I forgot to mention… watch WF’s prices. They’re higher than Ellwood’s in a lot of ways. They may come in low, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to stay that way. That’s their MO – the open with low prices to get your business and then they start raising them. Dollar for dollar their prices are higher in produce, prepared food, specialty items, cheese, etc. They are competitive in grocery b/c they have a ton of private label (365 brand) and they are the largest natural market in the world. A new phrase was coined just for WF – they are considered a “Super Natural” Food Retailer. They have more buying power than any other natural/organic store in the world, much less RVA.
Sean, thanks for the comment. Actually, the Near West End covers the area from 195 west to roughly the Parham/Pemberton area. Since there isn’t an active neighborhood news blog for the farther west area, I tend to pick up on somethings farther west as well. For me, I live at Glenside and 64 roughly, so it is about the same either way to travel to Short Pump or Carytown. There are lots of us here in the Near West End who would find it about the same distance either way. Personally, I try to tie my shopping into other errands, and often those take me to the Far West End.
oh, and don’t forget, there is a more recent post on Whole Foods here:
http://nearwestendnews.net/2008/07/14/whole-foods-short-pump-to-host-job-fair/
Sean and ET employee, another big benefit of buying from ET in the city verses Whole Foods in the county, is that our tax dollars will work for us in Richmond instead of supporting the hideous suburban sprawl and plastic gated communities that is Short Pump. Does anyone remember the farm that once stood in the place of Whole Foods?
you mean this one?
http://johnmholland.blogspot.com/2007/07/last-farm-in-short-pump.html
That is the one, you see it right before you arrive at the Short Pump movie theater. I’m so glad John knew to capture it on canvas. Thank you for sharing.
Don’t shoot me – but what’s wrong with buying your groceries from a “regular” grocery store? They have produce and some vegetarian items. Is it the lack of variety?
I am thrilled that Whole Foods is coming. ET lacks a good gluten free selection. GFG has a significantly better selection of gluten free foods, but are further away and are not open on Sundays. WF’s has it’s own gluten free bakery!
[...] At least 2 community blogs based in the West End briefly sputtered to life and died over the past 18 months (Short Pump Cowboy, RVA West). A third, Downtown Short Pump, is alive and polished but is as much a directory as news source. They could do well if they can post more frequently, as there is obviously interest in what is going on out there. [...]
I have never been to Ellwood – moved recently from CA – but I am thrilled that WF and TJ are coming to town. Being vegetarian is tough here and we really miss those two stores. Ukrops was a good substitute but not close enough. Now I wish more restuarants would become vegetarian friendly. TJ is definitely value for money….WF is realizing this and they will adapt I am sure!
ET has awful customer service. If you feel like being ignored, go there! I love Trader Joe’s and look forward to it opening in late September.
AMM, you should try ET especially if you live in town. I hope some of these posts didn’t scare you off from a small local business to a huge corporate chain.
Rachel and Janet have it right. ET is designed to appeal to the dreadlock-and-Birkenstock crowd. The staff can’t be bothered to check expiration dates in the dairy case, the produce is absurdly overpriced, and the entire place reeks of coriander. Whole Foods has finally opened and believe me, it’s worth the drive!
I’m thrilled about Whole-Foods opening in the Richmond, Virginia area. I currently am a resident in the mid-south in hopes of making Richmond my home in January, 2010. I’m vegan, and I LOVE WHOLE FOODS!!!!!!!!!
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http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/09/whole-foods-completes-largest-renewable-energy-credit-purchase.php
How much renewable energy are the Ukrops/Krogers/etc. buying?
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