HOUSTON, Texas (Nov. 6, 2019) – Whole Foods Market in Midtown Houston opens its doors to the public at 8 a.m. on Thursday, November 7. Located at 515 Elgin Street, the new 40,400 square-foot store features hundreds of items from local producers, a variety of prepared foods and grab-and-go meals, high quality natural and organic items, as well as two Friends of Whole Foods Market partners, JuiceLand and Briggo Coffee. Before the doors open, the store is offering complimentary coffee, local product sampling and music. Additionally, the first 200 customers will receive a custom Whole Foods Market Midtown Houston reusable canvas tote bag and a savings card with a mystery value ranging between $5 and $100.
“We’re excited to expand our presence in Houston with the opening of our new Midtown location,” said Patrick Mcilvain, Store Team Leader. “We look forward to providing this community with fresh, innovative products that all meet Whole Foods Market’s unparalleled quality standards, including hundreds from local businesses and many that are exclusive to Whole Foods Market.”
All food at Whole Foods Market must meet the company’s rigorous quality standards, which prohibit hydrogenated fats, high-fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners. In addition, all beauty and body care products must meet the company’s body care standards, which ban animal testing and more than one hundred commonly used ingredients.
Special features of the store include:
- Fresh produce department offering seasonal fruits and vegetables from local producers, including hydroponic lettuces from Dream Harvest Farming Company, mushrooms from Kitchen Pride Mushroom Farms and fresh citrus from Paramount Citrus, as well as unique offerings like bruschetta-making kits and oven-ready meals
- Bakery featuring made-in-house items, such as seasonal cakes and mini desserts, as well as options for special diets and selections from eight local suppliers, including Sweet T’s Cupcakery and Bread Man Baking Co., which is introducing a new chocolate chunk candied orange bread exclusive to Whole Foods Market
- Full-service butcher offering made in-house sausages, fresh meat cuts and locally sourced options such as lamb from Capra Foods, beef from Grassfed Livestock Alliance and tamales from Padrino Foods
- Seafood department featuring made-in-house, ready-to-cook options such as crab-stuffed salmon roasts and whole-stuffed bronzini, as well as fresh local seafood offerings, including red snapper, grouper fillets, black drum fish and shrimp
- Specialty foods section featuring products from local suppliers, curated seasonal selections, and made-in-house cheese items such as grab-and-go cheese plates, fresh chevre dips, truffle sets with honey and cheeses, brie en croute and sommelier-selected wine and cheese pairings; an in-store American Cheese Society Certified Cheese Professional oversees the cheese selection and can offer expertise, pairing suggestions and recommendations for any request or occasion
- Prepared foods section featuring salad, soups, pizza, rotisserie chickens, Kikka sushi, sandwiches, tacos and a variety of organic and plant-based offerings; department also offers options from local suppliers, including Tamahli Tamales, Lana’s Eggrolls, Grandma’s Humus from The Mediterranean Chef and several dishes made with Lone Star Bee Co. infused local honey
- Beauty, body care and home goods section featuring over 60 products from more than 12 local suppliers including Oriya Organics, Enfusia and Bossman Brands
- More than 260 beers and 1,400 wines, with about 40 options from local producers, including Karbach Brewing Co., St. Arnold Brewing Company, Lost Draw Cellars and William Chris Vineyards</a>; department also features in-house Cicerones on staff
- More than 75 Texas-based suppliers throughout the grocery aisles, such as GoodPop®, Malk Organics, and Wrights of Texas, along with various local brands that are launching new, exclusive to Whole Foods Market products with the store opening, including a new Magic Melon flavor from Kickin’ Kombucha, mocha, strawberry and green tea chocolates from Xocolla and a new Blue Moon gelato flavor from SweetCup Gelato & Sorbet Originale
- Bulk section offering more than 230 items including nuts, seeds, granola, grains, dried fruit and candy, as well as three make-your-own nut butter grinders
The Midtown Houston store will also feature two in-store venues as part of the Friends of Whole Foods Market program, which provides the opportunity for innovative businesses that align with the company’s mission and quality standards to establish their own, independent retail spaces inside Whole Foods Market stores to bring shoppers unique experiences.
JuiceLand will offer made-to-order smoothies and juices, as well as raw, cold-pressed bottled juices and plant-based grab-and-go meals. The venue’s design is based on the company’s flagship store in Austin, featuring a stone wall studded with crystals and geodes. Fan favorites like the Wundershowzen, Originator, TigerLilly and Recovery Punch will be featured on the menu.
Briggo Coffee, an Austin-based company and the leader in Connected Coffee, will offer hot and iced coffees and teas, seasonal beverages, and specialty drinks via mobile app and robotic Coffee Haus. Briggo will serve its own whole-bean Latin American blend, Allegro’s Bel Canto and Decaf blends, and empower Whole Foods customers to create perfectly customized, gourmet drinks on-demand.
Amazon Prime members who shop at Whole Foods Market have access to a number of benefits year-round, like deep discounts on dozens of select popular products each week and an additional 10% off hundreds of in-store items. In addition, eligible Prime members receive 5% back on Whole Foods Market purchases when using the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card.
To celebrate joining the community, 5% of the store’s net sales on Thursday, November 14 will benefit Urban Harvest, a non-profit organization that aims to cultivate thriving communities through community gardens, farmers markets, gardening classes and youth education.
Whole Foods Market Midtown Houston will employ approximately 145 full and part-time team members. Following the grand opening, the store will be open from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily.
Whole Foods Market has 11 additional stores in the greater Houston area.
For more information visit https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/midtownhouston.
