HOUSTON, TX. (August 8, 2018) – Whole Foods Market 365 will open its first store in Houston and tenth store nationwide on Wednesday, August 22, 2018. The 30,000-square foot store is located at 101 North Loop West in Independence Heights.
Whole Foods Market 365 stores offer exceptional value and unique products in a fun and convenient new format, all while maintaining Whole Foods Market’s rigorous quality standards including no artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners or preservatives, as well as no hydrogenated fats and no high-fructose corn syrup. Shoppers will find Global Animal Partnership 5-Step Animal Welfare Rated meat, sustainably caught and responsibly farmed seafood, freshly prepared grab-and-go items and a variety of special diet options.
“As someone who grew up in this neighborhood and still spends so much time here with my wife working at a school nearby, I couldn’t be more excited to help bring the first Whole Foods Market 365 in Houston to this neighborhood,” said Gerardo Rojas, Store Team Leader of Whole Foods Market 365 Independence Heights. “We have already hired 85 team members for the new store and connected with so many people that are part of the Independence Heights community in Houston. We can’t wait to open our doors!”
Through the Friends of 365 program, the store will include two partners that will operate their own venues inside the store. Houston favorite Peli Peli Kitchen, the South African-inspired restaurant featuring a melting pot of flavors, and Austin-based juice and coffee bar, Juice Society, will both operate inside Whole Foods Market 365.
On opening day, the first 100 customers in line will receive a Whole Foods Market 365 gift card ranging in value from $5 to $365 and a free reusable tote bag. Whole Foods Market 365 will have coffee, snacks and music for shoppers waiting in line, and doors will open at 9 a.m.
Regular store hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.
Exciting Features & Flavors:
Juice Society: The modern wellness and beverage brand focuses on functional ingredients for overall balance. Exclusive to this location, Juice Society will offer a new smoothie bowl and adaptogen latte along with their already popular menu items including functional cold pressed beverages, made-to-order smoothies, nut milk-based espresso drinks and elixirs, toasts and more. Juice Society will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Peli Peli Kitchen: Peli Peli Kitchen will serve South African comfort foods and regional delicacies like Peri Peri Chicken, Pork Belly Naan Taco and a South African burger made of frikadelle. Shoppers can enjoy marinades, seasonings and spices inspired by South African, Dutch, Portuguese, and Indian flavor influences. Peli Peli Kitchen will debut an all-new breakfast menu featuring an assortment of breakfast sandwiches and coffee from Houston roaster, Katz Coffee. The restaurant will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Affordable, high-quality produce: Find a vast selection of the freshest produce that includes over 200 organic options, and convenient pre-cut vegetables like zucchini noodles and riced cauliflower that make healthy meal prep quick and easy.
Fresh meat & seafood: Look for “Butcher’s Cut” specialty cuts, prepared in house daily, along with value packs of affordable household favorites. Fresh, ready-to-cook marinated meat and seafood like chimichurri steak and lemon thyme salmon makes delicious weeknight meals a breeze.
Innovative new flavors from 365 Everyday Value: Whole Foods Market’s private label products, 365 Everyday Value, bring the latest culinary trends to shoppers at an affordable price without sacrificing quality. Customers can find the brand’s Korean-inspired line of gochujang products, such as Gochujang ketchup, mustard, hot sauce and potato chips.
Carefully curated product selection: The grocer’s expert buyers are always on the lookout for the latest trends and greatest products that also deliver strong value, like Beyond Meat’s new vegan offering Beyond Sausage, and non-dairy frozen treats from Austin based-company, Nada Moo.
Specialty cheeses: The specialty cheese department has a hand-picked selection of over 75 convenient grab-and-go artisanal cheeses. The curated selection will feature Vermont Creamery’s Minimont, which is produced exclusively for Whole Foods Market 365 stores.
Grab-and-go: Build-your-own salad and meals at hot and cold bars with fresh ingredients. Shoppers can pick up ready-made wraps, sushi, Detroit-style square pizza by the slice, sandwiches, pastas, and breakfast tacos, plus crowd-pleasing favorites like cakes, pies, fruit and veggie trays.
Sandwich Counter: For made-to-order options, step up to the sandwich counter or order signature sandwiches or create a custom sandwich of your own.
Fresh baked goods: Pick up fresh baked breads by Houston favorite Slow Dough Bread Company or choose from a selection of fresh cookies, pastries and hearth breads. Mix-and-match, self-serve bakery items include a cookie bar and a macaron bar with an array of flavors.
On-site pairing kiosk: Use the tablet-based electronic kiosk to scan wine, beer or spirit labels for food pairing ideas, ratings, user reviews and recommendations. Find a wide selection of beers and wines from Texas and around the world.
New Grab-and-Go Single Serve Ice Cream Cooler: Beat the Texas heat and pick up single serve ice cream items from the self-serve cooler like Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Bars, The Piping Gourmets Whoopie Pies, Ben and Jerry's Single Serves, and Three Twins Classic Novelties, or pick up popular Japanese-American inspired frozen dessert mochi ice cream from a self-serve case.
For more, visit the Whole Foods Market 365 website, or follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
