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Crowd lines up as Whole Foods Market opens in North Naples

Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market is the first to open at The Mercato “lifestyle center” off U.S. 41, near Vanderbilt Beach Road. When completed, Mercato will have nearly 330,000 square feet of main street-style retail and restaurants, 140,000 square feet of Class A office space and 175 luxury homes and villas. Early next year, a grand opening for the entire project is planned.

Several tenants have announced they will join the 53-acre project:

■ The Capital Grille steakhouse

■ McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood restaurant

■ National clothiers Coldwater Creek and Jos. A. Bank.

■ High-end home goods retailers Sur La Table and Z Gallerie

■ A new prototype two-story Books-A-Million.

■ Three law firms - Porter Wright Morris & Arthur; Salvatori & Wood PL, and Wicker, Smith, O’Hara, McCoy & Ford PA.

■ Four casual dining restaurants – AZN, Piola, The Pub and Stage Deli.

■ An 11-screen, 1,300-seat movie theater for Cines Unidos.

■ Specialty retailers Femme Fatale, GiGi’s Children’s Boutique, Solstice Sunglass Boutique and Swim ‘n Sport.

■ The Blue Martini, a Florida-based martini lounge.

Video

Fri. 9/5/08: Whole Foods opens; kids might make up Fay day at school; Nathan Brooks in the spotlight; Hurricane Ike's path; Friday night football games

Fri. 9/5/08: Whole Foods opens; kids might make up Fay day at school; Nathan Brooks in the spotlight; Hurricane Ike's path; Friday night football games Watch »

— For a grocery store, the new Whole Foods Market, which opened in North Naples on Friday, created quite a buzz.

A line snaked outside the door early Friday, as hundreds jockeyed to be among the first to step inside the organic and all-natural store — the first to be built in Southwest Florida.

Customers began arriving more than two hours before the store was set to open at 9 a.m.

Collier County Sheriff’s deputies in bright-orange vests directed traffic as the parking lot overflowed. Dozens of customers were forced to park in a grassy lot nearby.

Just before the opening, it was a mob scene with an estimated 700 people waiting outside. One early shopper wore a fitting T-shirt reading “Green with Envy.”

The first 500 customers received a reusable “Better Bag” — a shopping bag made from recycled plastic bottles — chock-full of samples from nearly every department in the store.

At 52,000 square feet, the store is one of the Texas-based grocer’s largest, employing about 175 local residents.

Whole Foods is the first to open at The Mercato “lifestyle center” off U.S. 41, north of Vanderbilt Beach Road, which one day will include luxury villas and condos, a variety of shops and restaurants, and even an 11-screen, 1,300-seat movie theater.

“This is truly the beginning of Mercato,” said Katie Sproul, a vice president for Barron Collier Cos., which is developing the highly-anticipated project with The Lutgert Cos.

She spoke to the crowd before the store opened for the first time, rattling off a list of other businesses that will open by the end of the year — from The Capital Grille and McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood restaurants to national clothiers Coldwater Creek and Jos. A. Bank to high-end home goods retailer Sur La Table. A new two-story prototype Books-A-Million store is also coming this fall.

“I think we couldn’t have asked for a better beginning for Mercato, and we couldn’t ask for a better tenant than Whole Foods to lead us off,” Sproul said.

The Capital Grille, nationally known for its dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood and fine wines, will be the next to open later this month.

Whole Foods searched for a spot in Naples for eight years, said Juan Nunez, Florida region president. The Mercato — with its central location and upscale appeal — was seen as just the right fit.

Judging by all the fuss Friday, area residents eagerly awaited the opening of the store, the 14th in Florida. It opened to applause and cheers.

Golden Gate Estates resident Carolyn Yonker, 65, arrived with a friend at about 7:30 a.m. — early enough to get a free shopping bag and a few big chunks of the bread broken just before the store’s opening. The bread-breaking is the company’s foodie twist on the usual ribbon cutting.

“You see Publix everywhere,” Yonker said before squeezing her way into the store. “It’s nice to see something else going well. I love to see any business going well.”

Arriving at the store a few minutes before Yonker was Pelican Bay resident Janet Smock, 64, who couldn’t say enough good things about Whole Foods. Describing the store’s 365 Everyday private-label brand of foods, she said “quality, quality, quality.”

“Their bakery is good. Everything is good,” Smock said.

With storm clouds threatening outside, she wasted no time filling her shopping cart. Her first pick? A couple of bottles of Perrier water. Then she was on to vine-ripe tomatoes.

“I’ll be at this store often,” she said.

As the first customers wound through the store they found samplings at every turn — from organic peanut butter puffs and chilled wild veggie soup to turkey meatloaf and guacamole dip to popcorn and grapes.

North Naples resident Bill Wagener, 83, chomped on a smoked chicken wing, though it was only a little after 9 a.m. His wife wandered off to see what else the store offered.

“It’s hard to hold hands when you’re doing a market opening,” he said, with a big BBQ grin.

They, too, arrived at about 7:30 a.m.

“Ever since Mercato started, we’ve been very interested and Whole Foods was one of the first to look like a building. We waited for all these months for this opening,” he said.

Even before finishing his wing, his eyes were on the Thai Peanut Chicken Sausage, selling for 99 cents each.

Arriving a little later, was East Naples resident Ellen Meade, 37, who had two of her sons in tow, 3-1/2-year-old Shane and eight-month-old Holden.

“The little one will eat anything,” she said, as Holden snacked on peanut butter puffs.

Shane likes to eat any food that’s green, she said. “He likes healthy food. So this kind of market is really good for us,” Meade said.

While she wasn’t looking, Shane sneaked a cookie off the dessert bar. A few minutes later they were headed to the bakery for another cookie.

“Let’s go get some sugar,” she said. Shane shrieked and followed quickly behind her.

By the time Pelican Marsh resident Jane Shuey, 54, arrived at the store at 9:15 a.m. with a couple of her friends, the vouchers for the Better Bag had run out.

“We lost out,” she said.

But even that didn’t dampen her excitement. She’s been to Whole Foods in Michigan, Colorado and even London.

“It will change the way that we eat,” Shuey said. “People will eat out a lot less.”

“I think this is one of the best things to happen to Naples in a long time,” she said.

Shuey and her two friends skipped out on a tennis game to come to the store. They didn’t “let” their husbands come along, wanting to share the moment only with each other.

Shuey was surprised to see the store so packed, especially in the slower season.

“Where did all these people come from?” she questioned. “This is September.”

Preparations for the grand opening began two weeks ago. They didn’t end until early Friday. At 5 a.m., an empty display case was getting stocked with fresh seafood. Chefs were still preparing foods for the hot bar.

“Everything comes down to the last minute,” said Russ Benblatt, a regional marketing manager from Fort Lauderdale.

Grand opening activities will continue through the weekend with more free samples and chef demonstrations. Details can be found in the store or online at www.wholefoodsmarket.com.

“We want people to try stuff,” Benblatt said. “After all, you should never shop when you’re hungry.”

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i love America

#1 Posted by NeezDutz on September 5, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If you haven't been to a Whole Foods, run, don't walk. It is an absolute shopping experience unlike any other "grocery" you've ever seen. With WF, Naples has arrived!

#2 Posted by nicksparta on September 5, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes whole foods is amazing, the aisles are paved with gold, free massages all day long, free gas fill ups with the purchase of a gallon of milk, the food will make you smarter. The vegetables will give you magic powers,like making your money disappear.

#3 Posted by kneejerk on September 5, 2008 at 12:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

very cool...that whole Mercato area will be a real nice plus for N. Naples...

#4 Posted by prometheus on September 5, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hey Rock thanks for the enlightenment

#5 Posted by trehuger on September 5, 2008 at 1:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't know what to think about these people, if a grocery store is the big turn for them. Get a life....

#6 Posted by suntan on September 5, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You could put a turd on toast and give it away in the aisle at Costco and all the old farts will push and shove to get one... or as many as they can take.

I bet most drove back to Park Shore with their free bags and bread. Jeez..

#7 Posted by GeorgeGlass on September 5, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Whole Foods is nice, but I think the true test of whether or not you "arrived" as a metropolis is when Ikea builds one of their massive lifestyle stores in your city.

#8 Posted by schlogz on September 5, 2008 at 1:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Rock...gotta agree with you #5.
GeorgeGlass...also have to agree with you!
Let's just see how long this store remains open.
Was everyone lined up for free food, or for the store itself? Time will tell.
Wild Oats was supposedly the BEST THING to ever happen and look what happened.

#9 Posted by eaglebeak on September 5, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Is John MacKey blogging today?

#10 Posted by dooley on September 5, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

When the openeing of a grocery store means the town has arrived...it should mean the town has a life. Don't forget this town is getting older not younger. SAD!

#11 Posted by trehuger on September 5, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

kneejerk: of late your acerbic wit seems to be more tinged with bitterness. Perhaps I am just missing the humor I often enjoyed from your past postings.

I am happy Whole Foods is open. They carry items which my family likes and which have not been available locally.

Yes it is a grocery store Rockford grad but it has some different choices which are tasty and healthy. If you call this entity just a grocery store, using the same logic, would you call a Porche 911 Carrera just a car? It is after all just a car. But what a car. Guess I feel the same about Whole Foods. Just a store, but what a store.

#12 Posted by BlueTonguedVole on September 5, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

#6 swamp4u2 - That was funny.

#13 Posted by news_hound1 on September 5, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

actually, they DO have kegs if you want one!!! They have all kinds of domestic and imported beer!!! We bought a few kegs from there in my time up in chicago :)

It isn't all that expensive there. I don't know why people think it's this "posh" place. It has whole food brands of foods and some out of the ordinary finds ie. if you like cooking asian you'll find some good things there.

Don't worry about the North Naples snobs...WF is for EVERYONE! I'm so glad Naples FINALLY came into the early 90s.

#14 Posted by FreshFace on September 5, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

btw...wait until the crowds die down to go. Blue: it's not that expensive there. You'll actually like it I think. If you drink beer you'll LOVE IT!

#15 Posted by FreshFace on September 5, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I just returned home from the Whole Foods! WOW! What a fantastic store! Whomever asked if the people were there for the freebies or to shop, well they have every register open and lines are continuous! It has been like that since they opened!! The store is jam packed full of customers of ALL ages raving about the store as they shop, fill their carts and head to the cafe area for lunch. The prepared foods area is breathtaking! I suggest before you sit home in front of your computer commenting, you go check it out and see for yourself.

#16 Posted by JacquelineLH on September 5, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I went to check out Whole Foods, but I will continue to shop at Food and Thought near the Coastland mall for my organic produce though. And their cafe may be small but I like the people and the service there. Support locals!

#17 Posted by imabeliever on September 5, 2008 at 5:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have heard they - WF-have store "detectives" that watch for people who are indecisive or for whatever reason order food from the deli, seafood counter. etc and then hide it behind other items? Such as putting a bag of shrimp behind the cereal, pork chops behind the coffee and half eaten chicken by the canned goods. Like people often do at the Albertsons in Pelican Bay. I've even seen cans of Alpo dog food in the freezer case!

#18 Posted by johnny on September 5, 2008 at 5:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I've always been a meat(the fresher the better) and 'taters person. But I do have a question.
Sheryl Crow eats organic food, is it true you only need one sheet of toilet paper with the right diet?

#19 Posted by swampbuggy on September 5, 2008 at 6:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

maybe one square for every inch of poop? LOL sorry---I had to

#20 Posted by FreshFace on September 5, 2008 at 7:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I love Whole Foods.

#21 Posted by GladILeft on September 5, 2008 at 8:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Anyone ever seen or heard of organic beer?

#22 Posted by FedUp on September 5, 2008 at 8:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Organic beer? Of course. It has been processed by all natural kidneys and bladders.

#23 Posted by swampbuggy on September 5, 2008 at 8:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Swampbuggy, she buys the kind with big sheets.

Well, well not surprised at some of those posting.
Rockfordgrad, so you must really be from Rockford then. LOL. Ah, too bad you don't enjoy the differences between a car and Porche. What do you like to drive? I enjoy cars which respond and let one feel the road while still being efficient... Just like I enjoy eating almost all organic food. I like to fuel my body with clean, good healthy food. Never get a cold and haven't needed any medication to control any kind of medical condition. Of course, it means working out, too. My entire family eats this way and we even exercise together when the kids are home for a visit.

Swampbuggy, if the selection is anything like it was at the old Wild Oats (and it is supposed to be bigger) you would enjoy visiting the wine and beer area. We have tried a number of the organic beers. The pilsners are quite nice but I like a more robust brew and the selection is great. Nice thing about many of the organic wines we have tried is that they weren't any more expensive and there were no additives to give my wife migraines.

#24 Posted by BlueTonguedVole on September 5, 2008 at 8:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BTV, I am not being critical. I'm not attacking anyone, just having some fun. I'm not going to do a 6 white horse and post links from wherever.
I can't drink wine but beer.... another story.
Eat what you want to eat, drink what you want to drink, but most important, keep a sense of humor.

#25 Posted by swampbuggy on September 5, 2008 at 9:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No problem, swampbuggy, I was having some fun too. There was some hidden (probably too hidden) humor about migraine headaches. Wine without excuses (LOL!)

I enjoyed your post about Sheryl Crow. I will still never forget her campaign for the one sheet solution! Think she teamed up with Larry David's ex wife to advocate for the environment or something. Speaking of humor, I was also yanking a chain (not yours), but if this is missed, then fine.

They DO have a very nice selection of beer, too, but so does Total Wine and Spirits. I don't drink a lot of beer, but there is nothing like it with pizza or a steak on a hot day after coming in from doing some yard work. While I usually have some pretty standard stuff on hand, I also enjoy trying some hand brewed small batch beers. My wife only likes the light stuff (she always counts calories...always), but I enjoy some dark beer now and then.

I am smiling. Hope you didn't think I was talking about you. I don't own a Porsche either (spelled correctly this time) but I have driven one of these splendid machines. My ride is domestic but still sporty. It does get great mileage too.

#26 Posted by BlueTonguedVole on September 5, 2008 at 9:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Until last year I lived in Sarasota, where there is also a Whole Foods Market. There are about three things I miss about the city, and WF is definitely one of them. They will be very successful in Naples, great job by the developer to get them.

#27 Posted by mikemcnees on September 5, 2008 at 10:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BTV,
Let's mix some humor with fact. Look at the following photo:
http://participate.naplesnews.com/kic...
The Photo is from SGGE last weekend. Athough this might make some fine kelp for Whole Foods it didn't do alot for area drainage.
It's a little off subject but I thought I might draw your attention to it.

#28 Posted by swampbuggy on September 5, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

made the short 5 min trip there..well, its all it's cracked up to be...they got so much good stuff to eat there I'm supprised Weight Watchers didn't have a pickit line outside...I wish they were further from my house..they will cetainly create more business for the multi-billion dollar fat loss industry...wouldn't supprise me if Jenny Craig Corp owns Whole Foods..

a more apropo name would be Whole Lotta Foods...

Warning: do not go there hungry, to shop or eat..you'll come out needing Tums and with a huge dent in your wallet, pushing a hundred pounds of a whole lotta food (and booze)in your cart...it's 50,000 sq. ft. of hell for a foodaholic....

and you think Americans are fat now?

#29 Posted by prometheus on September 5, 2008 at 11:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You'll need a home equity loan to shop there. I think one has to show their 2007 tax return prior to them letting you step inside their Food Palace.

OK, reality check, they have very good food, but it's about 40% higher than most stores, and the parking lot is always full. I think the shoppers like the organic selections best.

#30 Posted by cit10driver on September 5, 2008 at 11:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Whole Foods, which was a huge success in the roaring days of easily burned equity, recently began a campaign to persuade shoppers that prices are not as unreasonable as they once were. Businesses do things like that when their profits drop.

Now they offer a number of specials, price many standard items at the same level as the competition, and add "extra value" in the form of in-store promotions, displays, and demonstrations. It is the Bass Pro Shops of groceries, a Smithsonian for foodies, a place for gourmets to dream and imagine without having to look at Rachel Ray's obnoxious mug on every end cap.

But no one who budgets tightly for food does all shopping at one place. Whole Foods sells a wide variety of great produce, but the meat department will bankrupt you. The seafood department isn't much better, although the store claims their tilapia is much higher quality than the standard farmed fare. It is a great place to buy cheese and chocolate or to browse for interesting wines.

But if you have access to an Earth Fare, you won't NEED to patronize Whole Foods. And Trader Joe's can match them on variety and selection at a much lower cost, although it lacks a butcher's counter and has a distinct hippy whiff about it.

Buy your paper goods and soap at a big box, and avoid Fresh Market like the ostentatious plague it is.

#31 Posted by elnuestros on September 6, 2008 at 12:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

WF doesn't sell everthing organic... I remember when Wild Oats opened and the Neapolitans just loved the place, paying $8 for a pineapple that was "conveniently grown in the US" (aka not organic). Go to Publix or wherever the non-organic stuff and save, but I guess if you can afford to do all your shopping at WF, more power to you.

#32 Posted by neapolitan12345 on September 6, 2008 at 5:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

#34 Posted by Ryu
Ahhhhhhhhhh, Patron Silver. Now your speaking my language.

I keep a nice bottle in the freezer just for sipping. Great stuff!!!!
Maybe if WF had free shots of that I would've been there sampling....

#33 Posted by Jadip811 on September 6, 2008 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's not just a grocery store. expensive yes. I joking call it "whole paycheck". The reality is that you get what you pay for. I you want processed stale crap then to winn dixie or publix. If you like fresh homade turkey brest, or rost beef then this is the place. I hope they have their breakfeast pizza. You won't have to wait in line waiting for folks to pay with their food stamps either.

Believe me. Whole foods won't be going anywhere. They are here to stay.

#34 Posted by Big_E on September 6, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Patron is crap. Don Julio or is much better. Actually Maragaritaville is even better than Patron. A little Don Silver and some fresca and game on!

#35 Posted by Big_E on September 6, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Even before finishing his wing, his eyes were on the Thai Peanut Chicken Sausage, selling for 99 cents each."

now there's a Whole Food whole meal that'll feed ya for 99 cents a day...so it looks like they'll be ever popular with the Ruling Class and street people alike; a very egalitarian establishment

welcome to Naples Whole Foods

#36 Posted by prometheus on September 6, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

People waiting in line for two hours just for a food store to open??

Holy smokes, were they afraid that if they came later it would be Half Foods?

Whole Foods is an interesting store to browse through. You can find unusual stuff that you can't find at Publix, but too expensive for me.

#37 Posted by Roscoe on September 6, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Big_E:

You don't work for the main greedhead, I mean parrothead, do you?

#38 Posted by elnuestros on September 6, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Whole Foods is OK!
Gelsons is much better..

#39 Posted by dooley on September 6, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Their nickname is Whole Paycheck...it's not a cheap shopping trip. Yes, it's great and it is great they brought more jobs than Wild Oats, but it also adds up. Please don't forget to support your local TRULY organic store...Food and Thought. The quality of that store is where it really is.
I love that WF has brought a change in mentality to shopping habits of this country and have been to their stores from Coast to Coast and even their MEGA store in Kensington, London UK (which has much higher standards than the US stores...unfortunately for us).

#40 Posted by loueyezgall on September 6, 2008 at 6:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

RE, #41 & #42: you got me laughing guys.

elneutros: I didn't find the store to ostentatious. We went today. No lines, although the store was busy. The produce department was a foodie's paradise as everything was just so fresh. We almost filled our cart at this department. Now, funny thing that you and some others should mention prices. Virtually everything we bought was priced at or slightly below what we pay at other markets I suppose the folks doing their market research did a great job pricing the competition.

We know the prices of our usual purchases, and watch the food ads for specials. We shop at many different stores to get what we want at prices we are willing to pay. Since we have a good amount of storage capacity we can buy in bulk and save, too.

I agree with Big_E. Consider the following that Wynn's has and their prices. Knowing comparative prices keeps us within our budget. We have been Publix customers for our entire time in Florida (almost 30 years) and we will continue to patronize them.

#41 Posted by BlueTonguedVole on September 6, 2008 at 9:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

saturday and sunday i went to whole foods in north naples and enjoyed every minute..the staff/teams were extremely accomodating, the prices were comparable to Publix...and the vibe much more congenial than costco..ugh costco where the help <if you can find any> sneer at you for simply asking a question. And, yes, the openening was truly an event...people<customers> actually were polite and engaged in conversation...I will travel the additional miles to receive such delightful service and truly fresh food.

#42 Posted by kbdmarco on September 9, 2008 at 8:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I"m downright MAD. I can't believe that there isn't a single ingredient in a single prepared food in their entire Cafe that is Organic! What's going on? This is the company that claims to have been the innovators of natural and organic going back decades, and yet when I ask the young man at the counter if the prepared food is organic, he says: "its all organic." After asking him why it doesn't say that on any of the signs, he checks with his manager and says "Sorry, none of its organic." ARRRRRGH! I bring this up with the manager on duty at the customer service desk, and she says: "they can't say its organic because its prepared food." Ridiculous! Can I have some honesty here? They present the image of organic and wholesome when in fact most of what Whole Foods serves has pesticides, comes from devitalized soil, may have been irradiated, and is definitely Genetically Modified with pesticide producing genes. It really sucks that devoted shoppers like me were really excited we could get a larger selection of organic food, when in fact, its the little stores like Frank Oakes at Food and Thought, Nature's Garden, Sunsplash and For Goodness Sake that are really providing high quality and truly organic food. I hope shoppers wake up and realize that its more about IMAGE and PROFIT, and less about the food. And really, try supporting local business so that these businesses can continue to serve us, as they have done faithfully for decades. I'm boycotting whole foods starting today.

#43 Posted by jimpeters on September 11, 2008 at 8:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Love the store. The prepared food bars and the salad and soup bars are great for lunch. I've been visiting since they opened. The people who work there are very friendly and courteous (a number of local stores could take notes on that one). The Albertson's at Pelican Bay is gone and I could not be happier. Never enough staff, always a dirty store, but I will say the people who worked there were very nice and pleasant. I tried to buy a sub there for lunch (Albertson's) and the young man refused me saying he had no bread! Really? He then told me he was going on break. Now that's Customer Service at its finest, eh?

#44 Posted by Kurtster on September 25, 2008 at 4:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)



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