EMERYVILLE, Calif. (August 30, 2006). Whole Foods Market® (NASDAQ:WFMI), the world's leading natural and organic foods supermarket, is scheduled to open its new Redmond store on August 30, 2006 at 17991 Redmond Way at the corner of 180th Avenue NE. In response to heightened demand from the growing community of Redmond, Whole Foods Market comes to the area with the goal of serving a community that seeks the highest quality, best tasting and freshest natural and organic foods.
Located on the site of a former lumber yard, the 55,864 square-foot store is tailored to serve the needs of the Redmond community by offering the highest quality and best-tasting fresh produce, chef-prepared foods, baked goods, natural meats and seafood. For example, the Redmond location includes a Salud! Cooking & Lifestyle school, Whole Foods Market's unique education program for those hoping to learn techniques for incorporating natural and organic foods into their daily meals. The prepared foods department features two dine-in eateries, an Asian Express island with a revolving sushi belt and an extensive selection of antipasti. Visitors also can expect a specialty foods department presenting a diverse assortment of local cheese, wine, chocolate and beer. The cheese counter has both a cheese tasting area and a prepared cheese section with such exotic fare as Chevre Napoleon layered with olive tapenade. The Redmond store's meat department also includes an in-house meat smoker featuring a variety of hot smoked artisan meats. Additionally, Whole Foods Market Redmond has 200 parking spaces available for shoppers.
“Whole Foods Market brings a new kind of supermarket to Redmond,” said Ron Megahan, Whole Foods Market's Pacific Northwest regional president. “For an active community that values a healthy lifestyle, Whole Foods Market caters to shoppers by offering a team and a store that makes shopping for food a dynamic experience that enlivens all the senses. In addition, Whole Foods Market believes passionately in supporting the neighborhoods we serve. I am proud to be part of a store that has pledged its commitment to the Redmond community. We are thrilled to join the ranks of the many innovative companies that define Redmond's landscape and we look forward to supporting local causes and non-profit organizations.” The Whole Foods Market in Redmond will add 200 jobs to the bustling economy of the region. Whole Foods Market team members take pride in helping educate and inform customers, providing excellent customer service and offering their time to community volunteerism. Competitive pay, benefits and a work culture based on fairness, respect and empowerment have made Whole Foods Market one of Fortune's “100 Best Companies to Work For” for the ninth consecutive year.
“We are delighted to bring Whole Foods Market's passion for natural and organic food to the growing Redmond community,” said Jeff Gonzales, store team leader in Redmond. “Whether customers are shopping for fresh, locally grown produce or Tuscan sea salt from our expansive selection of gourmet salt, pepper and spices, they can feel confident that Whole Foods Market has done the homework for them.” Whole Foods Market continues to fulfill its mission of supporting sustainable agriculture and the environment at the Redmond store by featuring natural and organic foods, which are free of artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, sweeteners and hydrogenated oils. Whole Foods Market appeals to a variety of customers ranging from health conscious households to aspiring gourmets by emphasizing the highest quality and best-tasting fresh produce, chef-prepared foods, baked goods, natural meats and sparkling seafood.
In Washington state, there are currently two Whole Foods Markets. The Seattle Roosevelt Square store is located at 1026 NE 64th Street and can be reached at (206) 985-1500. The Bellevue store is located at 888 116th Avenue NE and can be reached at (425) 462-1400. The new Redmond store is located at 17991 Redmond Way and will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. seven days a week. For more information about this location, please call the store at (425) 881-2600.
