Whole Foods plans expansions, will Roanoke be on the list?
Many of you have clamored for a Whole Foods in Roanoke.
While I can’t report that the organic food store is coming to Roanoke, what I do want to tell you is that the company earlier this year announced plans to open 1,000 new stores.
From Whole Foods’ earning statement: “Over the long term, the Company considers 1,000 stores to be a reasonable indication of its market opportunity in the United States as the Whole Foods Market brand continues to strengthen, consumer demand for natural and organic products continues to increase, and the Company’s flexibility on new store size opens up additional market opportunities.”
Whole Foods currently has 317 stores, the closest to Roanoke being in Winston-Salem, N.C. and Charlottesville.
There is no indication of what kind of time frame the company has in mind, but as the trade publication Supermarket News points out, it would take 23 years for Whole Foods to reach its 1,000 store goal at its current expansion rate.
Supermarket News also reports that many of the stores in the expansion plan would be in secondary markets. Roanoke is considered to be a tertiary market.
Earlier this month I called and emailed a Whole Foods spokeswoman about the possibility of a Whole Foods opening in Roanoke. I haven’t received a response.
The company’s financials are strong. In the quarter that ended Jan. 15, Whole Foods reported a profit of $118.3 million, up 33 percent, from $88.7 million the same quarter the previous year. Comparable store sales rose 8.7 percent.
Do you think Roanoke has what it takes to lure Whole Foods?
February 28, 2012 - 9:00 AM
Whole Foods would be nice, but Trader Joe’s would be better – not as expensive.
While I’d love to see a Whole Foods in the area, I don’t think this region has the demographics required to support one. Quite simply, the area doesn’t have enough higher-income people to lure such a store, even though I think one could be successful with the base found in the Roanoke and New River Valleys. But, that may be part of the issue. Combined between the two, there would be ample support. But, locating it in one or the other would largely eliminate half the market potential because of the driving distance. However, if one did locate in Roanoke, my wife and I would plan regular trips there…like we already do to the Winston-Salem store…or whichever one happens to be nearby when I’m traveling for work. We stock up when we can, they carry a lot of items we simply can’t get locally.
I still think that the demographics for this area favor a Trader Joes
We don’t need Whole Foods. We have plenty of organic choices here already, and they’re more affordable and locally based than WF. I’d love to see a TJ’s for unique imports, or Wegmans for competition in the “everyday groceries” market, but while WF is great for bigger cities that have limited local sources of fresh, organic food, Roanoke is already well-served by local farmers, farmers’ markets, the co-op, Fresh Market, and the organic sections in other chains.
Does Whole Foods accept my food stamps?
Whole Foods would be good, but my retail dream would be to move a Trader Joe’s and a World Market into the old Ukrop’s.
Wholr Foods would do great here!! Just look at success of Fresh Market #1 of all stores!! Keagy would be great location!! Any Idea whats going on with Ukrops site?? Valley bank owns the property and keep hearing a new grocer wil take that space soon. Lease signs down so they must have a buyer. Any word Amanda??
DO NOT TEASE! Oh my goodness, this would be AMAZING! Trader Joe’s a close second!
@Chris: I talked to Valley Bank president and CEO Ellis Gutshall a few weeks ago. He didn’t have an update on the project – at least not one that he could share publicly. I’ve contacted him today with a request for an update. I’ll let you know if I hear anything.
i like whole foods because they carry equine!!! way to hard to procure around here
Looking at the demographics of Roanoke, I don’t see how anyone could argue that Roanoke can’t support a Whole Foods. Yes, it would give Fresh Market competition–but that would be much needed competition. Every time I travel to a city with a Whole Foods, I load up a cooler to bring home. What I’d give to have the store in my own town, it’s one of the main things I miss about living in a bigger city! And, in terms of cost, Whole Foods is comparable to Kroger. Yup. Check the prices at Kroger and at Whole Foods in the same city (comparing, of course, organic to organic). You’ll notice that the prices are no different and, in many cases, are cheaper at Whole Foods than at Kroger.
I really dig JD’s idea of a World Market and Trader Joe’s. I lived in Fairfax for many years, and really loved Whole Food’s prepared food selection, but like stated here, it’s expensive and I don’t think the Roanoke Valley could or would support those kind of costs. I would rather see something smaller scale and specialized like a TJs and also think World Market would go over well down here.
Ukrop’s and Keagy Village sites for Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. Bring them on…
I’d love a Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s or Earth Fare. I think Earth Fare would be a great fit for Roanoke, as they are a natural grocer located in the SE. The closest store to us is Greensboro, but looking at their other locations, they seem to also locate in areas with populations similar to Roanoke, like Johnson City, TN and Boone, NC.
@Chris: I talked with Ellis Gutshall this morning. The short answer is that the for lease signs were leftover from commercial real estate agencies hired by the property’s former owners. Valley Bank removed the signs because they are pursuing talks with developers to buy the property. I’m working on a story for Thursday’s newspaper that will have more details.
Great. Thanks Amanda. Looking forward to your Thursday article!!
LOL—Roanoke,,always 10 years behind,, maybe 20!
I’m thinking along the same lines as Lori. I believe focusing on the national chains is the least realistic idea. WF or TJ would also probably want a far smaller store than the Ukrops building. The bank, and shoppers hoping to fill the building, would be much better served trying to convince smaller, but more local chains to come in. EarthFare, based in Asheville, NC, would probably be interested in coming to Roanoke. Food City, based in Abingdon, VA, would be another great option for a traditional chain to finally have another option to Kroger and Food Lion. I think there were even rumors a couple years ago they were coming a couple years ago.
Terry- Food City would be a good option. Food City just opened a two story store in Bristol. The Bristol store includes a dining area/cafe. The Ukrops location might be a good fit for them.
For you other Trader Joe fans, you can write requests on the website to consider our area for a store. I think Roanoke could support a Trader Joes with no problem. Not sure about a Whole Foods as UKrops was not able to stay in business…
I can’t believe Roanoke can’t support Trader Joes, Whole Foods or a number of other chain stores not seen here. I think the problem here is that there
are few available sites for development, unlike spread out Greensboro with strip centers on every corner. Roanoke City in addition does a much better job of attracting retail/commercial business and the Ukrops location might come back to life.
Bring it on…..PLEASE. Whole Foods is awesome and the demographics are here, Roanoke is not as “poor” as folks like to think we are. If residents are traveling to shop then your answer is there. Just look at Fresh Market and the type of folks shopping there….don’t you believe that those folks would shop at a store with a friggin wine bar and a wonderful prepared self-serve buffet? You bet they would……bring it on!
Sadly, Roanoke could not support a Whole Foods unless it was scaled to a size similar to Fresh Market and even that would be iffy. Roanoke doesn’t have the higher incomes or enough open minds. In addition, people don’t easily change their shopping habits.
Would love to shop at whole foods .
Whole Foods probably won’t consider the Roanoke area for the same reason Sierra Nevada decided against locating here – peception. The stories about Roanoke’s intransigence against certain kinds of aesthetic development are out there for everyone to read about, especially corporate entities who have to make risk-benefit assessments involving millions of dollars. Resistance to and constant delays to projects such as a Mill Mountain hotel and a outdoor entertainment venue like the ‘proposed’ amphitheatre are intangibles that can, and do, affect the decision making process by the likes of Messrs. Grossman and Mackey. Those who don’t think so are kidding themselves.
Carol. Roanoke could support a whole Foods. You must not be familiar with South Roanoke which is full of people wanting to spend money on higher end retail!!!!!
Whole Foods is NOT about “higher end” foods. It is about natural, organic and local produce, too. Not to mention, those that suffer from life threatening food allergies or burdensome allergies will finally have a place to go for one stop shopping. No more going to 4-5 stores a week to get a variety that is still meager. I can’t imagine being able to go to a store that has a bakery that sells gluten free cupcakes and cookies fresh and being able to tell my 5 year old that he can have something safe. Hopefully, Whole Foods will consider the Valley. If not, it’s back to making trips to NC once a month.
Our local co-op is a big disappointment.The quality is second rate and there is an air of snobbery about it.To much junky food and not much as far as bulk.Often my bulk purchases have been stale.
Whole foods would be nice.We don’t need another discount store selling bad food that is second or third grade.We have Walmart for that.
We don’t NEED Whole Foods when we already have what we have? These comments are made by people who have never set foot in a WF. The seafood area alone…the prepared take-away…the fact that gluten-free items are distributed among the “regular” groceries instead of a special spot…I could go on. Saying we don’t need a WF when we have X or Y is like saying you don’t need a motorcycle when you have a bicycle.
Hey! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I truly enjoy reading your posts. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that cover the same subjects? Thanks for your time!
Roanoke needs a Trader Joe’s. Fresh Market is a gorgeous store but too expensive. Kroger’s quality is poor. The food co-op is mediocre.