BOSTON (September 14, 2005). Whole Foods Market® (NASDAQ: WFMI), the world's leading natural and organic supermarket and America's first national certified organic grocer, opened its newest market in downtown Boston today at 10 a.m. The new store is located at 181 Cambridge Street at Charles River Plaza, nestled between Massachusetts General Hospital and City Hall in the divergent and dynamic neighborhoods that comprise downtown Boston.
At its newest location, Whole Foods Market holds the same commitment to stringent product quality standards, environmental concerns and outstanding customer service that its shoppers have come to know and love.
“Whether you're seeking the finest quality of organically grown produce, natural and organic meats, fresh artisan cheeses or prepared foods, Whole Foods Market goes to extraordinary lengths to satisfy and delight our shoppers,” said David Lannon, president of Whole Foods Market's North Atlantic Region. “With the new store at Charles River Plaza, we look forward to serving the diverse and dynamic downtown Boston community for a long, long time.”Each Whole Foods Market store is tailored to reflect the surrounding neighborhood, and the Charles River Plaza store was crafted to meet the diverse needs of Boston's dynamic downtown community. With a wide array of natural and organic foods for everyone from the shopper filling their pantries with grocery staples at everyday value prices to the gourmet cook preparing a full meal at home, the Charles River Plaza store is a one-stop shopping destination.
Even for the shopper with limited time to cook for themselves, Whole Foods Market offers many save-a-step cooking solutions including pre-cut vegetables and “Ready to Cook” line of seafood and meat dishes. “Ready to Cook” is a line of the meat or seafood items pre-packaged with marinades or other seasonings. One of the fastest selling “Ready to Cook” meals includes enough peeled and deveined shrimp and scallops to serve two, plus herb paste for cooking and remoulade for dipping.
For the shopper looking for a quick bite to eat or a freshly prepared meal to take home, Whole Foods Market offers an extensive selection of restaurant-quality prepared foods including: a large rotisserie oven featuring roasted chicken; two salad bars; an island serving six varieties of soup, including chili; a hot foods bar specializing in comfort and Indian cuisine; sushi; pizza by the pound.
Other highlights of the nearly 40,000-square-foot store, include a bountiful produce department with bins of fresh, colorful fruits and vegetables from across New England and around the world, knowledgeable fishmongers ready to recommend the fresh catches of the day, and a case specifically for dry-aged beef, which is cured on-site. Satisfying a sweet tooth can also be easily accomplished with a wide range of desserts including tiramisu, parfaits, éclairs, cream puffs and fresh-filled cannolis. Shoppers with special dietary needs will also find the bakery department suited for them as vegan, gluten-free and sugar-free items are available.
Whole Foods Market at Charles River Plaza will also have an expansive Whole Body department. Whole Body offers a large selection of luxurious natural body care items and cosmetics as well as a broad selection of high-quality nutritional supplements and vitamins. Customers will be able to enjoy a make-up station where they can test selected products and take home samples. All products at Whole Body are made with the highest quality natural ingredients and are free of harsh chemicals and unnecessary fillers.
Upon checkout, six full and eight express registers will get shoppers on their way, but if they decide to enjoy their fresh prepared food purchases or just linger to people watch at Whole Foods Market, there is a bright and sunny café with seating for 70 guests. Two additional registers are located in the Whole Body department.
“We're here to serve shoppers with a tremendous selection of purely delicious, all natural foods,” said Jim Hughes, Whole Foods Market store team leader. “With our commitment to customer service, ongoing cooking demos and free tastings, we hope that everyone will leave Whole Foods Market with a smile on their face and a bag of delicious food for themselves and their family.”On Monday night, more than 700 people got an advance look of the new Whole Foods Market as it hosted a benefit for Neighborhood Action, a neighborhood soup kitchen. The benefit raised $12,440 for the organization's food program.
“Neighborhood Action provides food for those who live on the margins. Not only do we serve them a hot meal, but we offer them friendship, a smile and an opportunity to laugh,” said Ron Tibbetts, executive director for Neighborhood Action. “By Whole Foods Market hosting a benefit for us, they give us the gift of time — time to keep our kitchens running smoothly and keeping those in need without hunger.”
