Brooklyn, NY – (Dec. 17, 2013) – After a decade in the making, Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM) will celebrate the grand opening of its much-anticipated and first Brooklyn, New York store on Tuesday, December 17th, 2013. At more than 56,000 square-feet, Whole Foods Market Third & 3rd (named after the store’s cross streets at 214 3rd Street) will offer a full range of high-quality natural and organic foods including a vast assortment of locally sourced offerings from some of Brooklyn and the tri-state area’s most highly-regarded local artisans. More than 100 items have been exclusively created to commemorate and celebrate the store opening.
Store opening celebrations will kick-off with a traditional bread breaking ceremony at 8:15 a.m. followed by the official opening at 9 a.m. The first 250 shoppers will receive a special-edition Third and 3rd canvas tote bag. Shoppers can also enjoy storewide tastings, vendor sampling, special sales, giveaways, music and other events for all ages throughout the day.
As part of Whole Foods Market’s deep commitment to its local communities, the store is teaming with Whole Kids Foundation and our local horticulture partner, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, to launch a “Fund a Fig” program. Proceeds from the purchase of specially-designed reusable bags will go towards the planting of fig trees throughout the borough, paying homage to the plant that has beautified and nourished Brooklyn for centuries. Brooklyn Botanic Garden will also be the recipient of the store’s first 5% community giving day, where 5% of the store’s sales are donated to a non-profit, on January 11th.
Other exciting fundraising partnerships include 5% day grants and activities with:
• The Gowanus Canal Conservancy (GCC), a community-based non-profit organization serving as the environmental steward for the Gowanus Canal Watershed, will be a 5% day recipient during Spring 2014. In addition, the GCC will also be selling sponsorship of the benches that adorn the new neighborhood green space that overlooks the canal from the 3rd Avenue bridge to the 3rd Street bridge. Available for $500 or $1000, all proceeds from these benches will benefit the GCC’s efforts around canal education and community beautification. For more information about this program, visit www.gowanuscanalconservancy.org/.
• Arts Gowanus is a group of artists and arts organizations supporting each other to ensure Gowanus continues to be a thriving and creative community of art-makers and art-appreciators. In addition to being a Summer 2014 5% day recipient, the store will offer monthly “Drink & Draw” art events at The Roof, the store’s rooftop tap room and restaurant.
• PS 118 The Maurice Sendak Community School, a local neighborhood school will allocate funds from a Fall 2014 5% day towards the building of a greenhouse on the school’s property to support their efforts to teach children about where their food comes from and the importance of healthy eating.
Beyond local partnerships, this new store has been designed to be one of the most cutting-edge and environmentally friendly grocery stores in the country, inspiring the New York State Energy Research and
Development Authority (NYSERDA) to write a case study on the various statewide wind, solar and water management programs being utilized within the building. Given the various sustainable design elements of this store, Whole Foods Market Third & 3rd is expected to be approximately 60% more energy efficient than an average grocery retail outlet in the United States. Noteworthy elements include:
• A 20,000 square-foot rooftop greenhouse in partnership with Gotham Greens, the first-of-its kind integrated into a retail location.
• A state-of-the-art CO2 refrigeration system operated in tandem with a combined heat and power plant provides the store with on-site electric generation and captures exhaust heat that would otherwise be discarded, using it to operate an absorption chiller machine, which cools the store and eliminates all non-natural synthetic refrigerants like HFC and CFC.
• Reclaimed and repurposed materials including more than 250,000 bricks from a previously decommissioned building in Newark, NJ and wood being used for paneling and product displays throughout the store that once served as part of the Coney Island boardwalk.
“Our team has worked incredibly hard over the past ten years to make our first foray into Brooklyn an incredible and groundbreaking experience,” said Christina Minardi, President of Whole Foods Market’s Northeast Region.
“It was our goal from the beginning to not only create a store that the Brooklyn community wanted to shop, but a place they felt best represented their borough, its rich history, and forward-thinking residents. We’re excited to continue to support the growth of hundreds of producers and neighbors who, like us, call Brooklyn home.”
Whole Foods Market Third & 3rd honors the borough’s diverse culinary history with an open market layout filled with an unrivaled selection of local products from many of Brooklyn’s most prominent epicurean craftsman. In addition to the hundreds of locally sourced products, more than 200 additional items have been curated specifically for this store.
Other unique offerings include:
– YUJI Ramen, celebrated ramen chef Yuji Haraguchi’s in-store take-out venue featuring five mazemen-style dishes
– The Roof, an indoor/outdoor tap room and restaurant on the second floor offering a variety of local fare and 16 beers on tap
– Juice Etc., a made-to-order juice bar, offering fresh-pressed fruit and veggie juices and smoothies.
– Knife sharpening services from Christopher Harth of NYCutlery and products including knives and specially-made Third & 3rd cutting boards.
– A vinyl venue featuring music as well as reclaimed vinyl jewelry and accessories from Wrecords by Monkey, a Brooklyn-based design and lifestyle brand.
For more information about our Third & 3rd location, find us online at:
Facebook – www.facebook.com/WholeFoodsBrooklyn
Twitter and Instagram @wfmbrooklyn
Tumblr – wfmbrooklyn.tumblr.com
Whole Foods Market Third & 3rd
214 3rd Street
Brooklyn, New York 11215
Regular Store Hours: [Mon-Sun] 8 AM – 11 PM
The Roof Hours [Mon-Sun] 11 AM-11 PM
Phone Number: (718) 907-3622
