2847 Park Ave., Tustin, CA 92782
Web: Whole Foods Market
Phone: 714.566.7650
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California Favorites Markets Orange County Williamsville
"Whole Foods' pre-prepared food sections are akin to a Wegmans version 2.0, including a Churrascaria section for meats, a Wine & Tapas Bar, and a Chocolate & Gelato area."
When people from outside of Western New York visit Buffalo, they're almost always blown away by Wegmans, yet surprised that such a food-obsessed area doesn't have a Trader Joe's or Whole Foods Market - two of the country's other supermarket heavy hitters. At least in the case of Trader Joe's, we have great news to share: it looks like it's going to happen. During our visit to the chain's newest location in Aliso Viejo, California, we had a chance to talk with Trader Joe's executive team, which was checking out the two-week-old store with the company's owner. Most were wearing the Hawaiian-style shirts worn by employees, but others, including the owner, were dressed in short-sleeved, solid-colored button-downs. The only way the average customer would have known they were there was the unusually high density of tropically garbed people in the store.
As you might recall from our prior Trader Joe's article, we've been advocating a Transit Road location, which the team told us specifically is being scouted; this would place Trader Joe's right in the heart of gourmet food fans in Williamsville, East Amherst, and Clarence. We were really thrilled to hear this, as we were busy loading up our cart with items to bring home - more of the chain's specially made Tom Yum Cashews, raisin mixes, and a few bottles of its famous $2 "Two Buck Chuck" Charles Shaw wine to sample, amongst other things. Due to New York State liquor laws, it's highly unlikely that a WNY Trader Joe's would have any wines to offer, let alone its popular inexpensive ones, but trust us: the rest of the store's offerings, ranging from healthy foods to superb dips, sauces, and desserts, will be very much welcome in our area. They're affordable, delicious, and in many cases, very unique.
So what, then, is Whole Foods Market? Known to most as "Whole Foods," it's another well-regarded, higher-end supermarket chain that has been winning fans across the country with a somewhat different strategy: Whole Foods starts by focusing on natural, organic, and locally-grown items whenever possible, with pricing badges that show where its produce items came from (for instance, "organically grown in California"), big "Animal Compassion" plaques that proclaim that "we only sell and use cage-free eggs," and additional signs that indicate how many of the items in a given aisle are organic. Like Wegmans, the Texas-based company has earned repeated recognition on Fortune's list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, considerable acclaim for its socially responsible practices, and a solid rank (#21, nationally) on the list of the country's largest supermarket chains. Debates in recent years have focused on just how healthy and organic its products actually are, but there's no doubt that its standards are higher than at many other chains, and it's certainly helping to bring the topics of food sourcing and quality to greater public attention.
Let's say that you aren't fixated on where the food comes from or the company behind it - you just want something really delicious to eat right now or bring home. That's where Whole Foods' various pre-prepared food sections come in - they're like a Wegmans version 2.0, divided into the Churrascaria section for cooked meats, a Charcuteria & Cheese section with attractively displayed crackers and cheeses, a Wine & Tapas Bar with wine tastings and snacks for patrons at or over age 21, and a Chocolate & Gelato department with a chocolate fountain, truffles, and high-end candy bars. At the Tustin, California store - one of the chain's newest - these sections are uniformly beautiful, with a mature, storewide earthtone color scheme that's accented by the section: reflective green tiles are added to the Fresh Catch Seafood Market, and brown coffee bean sacks are prominent in the Allegro Coffee Bar up front. Other stores we've visited, including locations in New York City and Seattle, have different decor and design choices that reflect both the ages and more cramped quarters of the chain's earlier shops, but preserve the same general mix of organic items and pre-prepared foods. In each case, a Whole Foods feels like Wegmans might if it could dump all of the affordable staples people need and focus largely on selling the luxury items people wish they could splurge on; prices on some of the items we looked at were twice as high as at Wegmans.
As with Trader Joe's, which isn't trying to be a Wegmans-style "buy everything here" store, yet competes aggressively on prices of many items, Whole Foods distinguishes itself by offering its own highly appealing selection of foods, skewing towards the more expensive while overlapping in some cases with offerings that could as easily appear in Wegmans. For instance, a "Ready to Cook" display case of meats included at least six different types of burgers and a bunch of different kabobs that could be brought home and cooked - or tossed onto a Whole Foods on-site grill and prepared for you as you waited. The Churrascaria offered freshly carved rotisserie meats and Latin beverages, as well as adding ready-to-go Korean ribs, steak, and bulgogi meats for the area's significant Asian population. A pre-made cake and dessert section looked a lot like the ones in Wegmans, but with some unique and different-looking items, including fruit cakes with bright blue frosting. Pastries and coffee we sampled at the Allegro Coffee Bar were fresh and strong in flavor, with a spice-heavy Pumpkin Spice Latte that gave Starbucks a run for its money, and turnovers that were thick with blueberries and apples. A store like this mightn't be for everyone, but for those it appeals to, it's great.
Unlike Trader Joe's, which seems like a natural fit for Western New York because of its unique selection of items and focus on value pricing, the appearance of a Whole Foods in Buffalo or its suburbs seems like more of a stretch. It's one thing to build a place this beautiful and stock it with thousands of different items, and another entirely to convince people to spend a little or a lot of extra money to buy it - in this regard, opening a Whole Foods in salary-inflated Orange County makes a lot of sense, but doing so elsewhere is a gamble. We'd like to hear from you, readers: are you fans of Whole Foods from experiences outside our area? Would it have a shot in Western New York? If so, where would it make the most geographic sense? Post your thoughts in the comments section below!
Comments (25)
This news made my day! Thanks a ton for posting (and tweeting) the good news. I know plenty of folks who will be over the moon to hear this! Re-tweeted ad infinitum. \m/
Posted by TinyPliny | September 23, 2009 11:50 AM
Posted on September 23, 2009 11:50
As a Williamsville expat who has moved to Columbus, I only use Trader Joes and Whole Foods to fill in the gaps in my former Wegmans lists left by the ineptitude of Giant Eagle and Kroger. I agree that Trader Joes, with 90% private label proucts, can succeed in WNY, but Whole Foods simply doesn't need to exist wherever there's a Wegmans and a Farmer's Market.
Posted by Adam K. | September 23, 2009 1:43 PM
Posted on September 23, 2009 13:43
Williamsville? Um, no. Thrilled with the news, horrified with the poor judgment over location. I sincerely hope they are considering alternatives. Really it would be best and make the most sense for the store to be more centrally located within the county. For as happy as I am hearing that TJs will finally be coming to the area, I'm equally in disbelief that they would consider tucking themselves away in Williamsville. It's a shame, really.
Posted by Josh | September 23, 2009 2:25 PM
Posted on September 23, 2009 14:25
I'm preeeetty sure that Wegman's and Whole Foods have a non-compete contract with one another, so that's another reason why you'll probably never seen a WF in WNY.
Posted by Michelle | September 23, 2009 2:29 PM
Posted on September 23, 2009 14:29
A Transit location would put Trader Joe's right in the center of high median incomes and what would likely be the most enthusiastic population for its products. It makes a ton of sense to locate there, rather than elsewhere in the county. Lots of other places would be legitimately horrifying.
Posted by Jeremy Horwitz | September 23, 2009 2:45 PM
Posted on September 23, 2009 14:45
Best. News. Ever. I wonder when it'll happen!
Posted by Sally | September 23, 2009 4:14 PM
Posted on September 23, 2009 16:14
I am so excited - what great news!!! Walking around in TJ's in Cleveland I was like a kid in a candy store, literally. I couldn't stop saying "look at this!" to my husband and throwing stuff in my cart. For anyone who has never been to a TJ's store, you are in for a big treat. The fact that it will be so close to my home makes this news even more exciting. Way to go for getting us the scoop Buffalo Chow!
Posted by Julie S. | September 23, 2009 5:42 PM
Posted on September 23, 2009 17:42
We have been transplanted from Southern California to the Buffalo area and dearly miss Trader Joes I can't tell you how I miss everything from the fresh foods to the nuts. The canned goods Trader Joes carries is so superior to anyone else. By having a Trader Joes nearby, it would make me a very happy customer and would feel like I belong here.
Posted by Nadine Greenberg | September 23, 2009 6:03 PM
Posted on September 23, 2009 18:03
Yes! This is AWESOME!
Posted by Wendy | September 23, 2009 10:12 PM
Posted on September 23, 2009 22:12
Meh. My one experience with whole foods (Whole Paycheck)was significantly less than satisfactory. As for TJ's, I can't think of anything I can't get at the Wegman's on Amherst, Spar's, the co op, or any of the markets that would justify the drive from the Erie/Niagara county border.
Posted by Pauldub | September 23, 2009 10:30 PM
Posted on September 23, 2009 22:30
Whole Foods and Wegmans don't have a no-compete agreement. They exist side-by-side in the DC and Baltimore area.
The Whole Foods in east suburban Cleveland is in Cedar Center, a shopping district that straddles University Heights and South Euclid. UH and SE aren't wealthy -- the area feels like a mashup of Kenmore, Eggertsville and Snyder -- but those 'burbs, along with nearby Cleveland Heights, have a very large percentage of the population with undergraduate and graduate degrees. The store is also close to Lyndhurst, Shaker Heights and Beachwood.
The Cedar Center Whole Foods is usually packed, and that's considering it's not too far from a TJs, Fresh Market, Heinen's, the "upscale" Giant Eagle in Legacy Village, and a few specialty supermarkets (Italian, kosher).
Would Whole Foods work in Buffalo? If it can work in Cleveland, absolutely.
Posted by Dan | September 24, 2009 4:17 AM
Posted on September 24, 2009 04:17
@Josh - Tell me about it! Apparently people who live within city limits aren't interested in good food. There are plenty of people in Elmwood Village, Allentown, the Hertel area, and Parkside who would love to patronize a Trader Joe's... but there's no way I'm driving 30 minutes and fighting the hordes of minivans on Transit to get there. This type of suburban-centric thinking is why the city proper is dying.
Posted by Stella | September 24, 2009 8:55 AM
Posted on September 24, 2009 08:55
Stella, it's not about whether plenty of people in the city proper would love a Trader Joe's, but where the highest concentration of likely customers would be. Like it or not, the suburbs are that place. Also, what would you say if you found out that red tape, graft, and the like would delay or maybe stop the opening of a store in Buffalo, while doing so just outside the city could happen relatively quickly? Speaking just for myself, "driving 30 minutes" beats "driving or flying to another state," which is the other option right now.
Regarding "fighting the hordes of minivans," that could really go both ways. People from outside the city have to drive 30 minutes (and, often, hunt for parking) to go to Guercio's or other places within Buffalo. So the "it's not close enough to _me!_" gripe could as easily be applied by suburbanites every time a business opens in the city proper. But it's not, because it seems like only city dwellers complain about going into the suburbs, not the other way around. Why is that?
In our view, having some geographic dispersion of our assets - and an incentive for people to see us as one big community, rather than a bunch of separate towns and cities - is a good way for our entire region to grow in value. Moreover, getting one location of a great store can in fact pave the way for a second if demand is there. Getting no location would be a real shame for everyone.
Posted by Jeremy Horwitz | September 24, 2009 9:35 AM
Posted on September 24, 2009 09:35
Perfectly said Jeremy!
Posted by JulieS | September 24, 2009 12:08 PM
Posted on September 24, 2009 12:08
People...people...you need to get the first one and when they have more customers than the store can handle they will realize that many more are needed. Having a TJ's less than 1/4 mile from the house today is marvelous. Always fresh (and inexpensive) produce just like W's and T's. We definitely miss Wegmans, but TJ's has fabulous alternatives.
Posted by ED | September 24, 2009 4:46 PM
Posted on September 24, 2009 16:46
I for one would LOVE to see a Whole Foods in the Buffalo area. Their prices are not that much more than Tops or Wegmans; especially when you consider that they are mostly organic. And they have a great selection for people with food allergies :) I always make sure to stop at Whole Foods when we visit family in Ohio.
Posted by kristin | September 26, 2009 11:10 PM
Posted on September 26, 2009 23:10
I can honestly say this is awesome news. Julie S is right, TJs typical MO is to put one in and then expand from there. If the one on Transit is successful (and I have a hard time believing it wouldn't be), there will be more to follow.
As not only a Buffalo native, but also a former long time California resident I can appreciate the benefits of both TJs and Wegmans and have to say that one will never replace the other for me. Wegmans is by far one of the best grocery stores I've ever seen, but TJs has stuff that you either can't get at Wegmans or you're paying a premium to get.
I'm disappointed NYs antiquated blue laws still prohibit the sale of wine in grocery stores -- but TJs also has a very unique beer selection as well. I look forward to TJs arrival! There are SO many things of theirs that I miss.
Posted by Jesse | September 28, 2009 4:59 PM
Posted on September 28, 2009 16:59
As someone about to move to Buffalo from NYC (that has a host of whole foods and Trader Joe's, and was lamenting the loss of two of my favorite places to shop for groceries, I am ecstatic)
TJ focuses on low/medium income areas as well as medium/upper income ones. TJ and WF are within a block of each other in NYC's Union Square, but TJ's other city locations are in Low Income Coney island, and a very working class Area of Queens (where I often shop, insane crowds and all.)
To get around the laws with the wines - TJ at Union Square opened up a separate liquor store right next door. This is probably entirely do-able for them up in Buffalo. So cheap wines and really tasty beers shouldn't be counted out just yet.
Hey, as long as it's easy for me to get to via mass transit, it's all good.
Posted by Dani | October 6, 2009 5:51 PM
Posted on October 6, 2009 17:51
I used to live in LA, and i LOVED Trader Joe's.
I have hoped for a long time that eventually they might come here!
No matter where they put it, its worth the trip!
When i visited my friend in Connecticut, i got her to drive me to a TJ's that was an hour away!
Whole Foods is very nice...but very expensive.
I think TJ's has alot more to offer Buffalo.
Their own brand name stuff is great. I am addicted to their Pomagranate White Tea. I've have a friend in NYC mail it to me!!
This is such great news!!! Any word on when this might happen?
Posted by Rose | October 17, 2009 12:46 AM
Posted on October 17, 2009 00:46
I'm in Las Vegas on vacation right now, and just made my first trip to Whole Foods yesterday. I love it! To me it seems like a cross between the Co-op & Wegmans all under one roof. They're prepared foods section, with an on-site smoker, is like nothing I've seen before...Wegmans doesn't even compare right now. I do think it's pricey...but I would think some prices would come down if there were one in our area due to competition from Wegmans, and the wealth of fresh produce in our area. I must admit...I'm so glad we can buy Honeycrisp apples for .29/lb (Country Peddler/Orchard Park) as opposed to 2.99/lb!
I haven't had an opportunity to check out Trader Joes yet, but look forward to doing it before I leave.
Posted by Mary | October 30, 2009 5:39 PM
Posted on October 30, 2009 17:39
"Whole Paycheck," which is what Whole Foods is known as in California, would NEVER make it here.
As for the TJ news... WOOOOO HOOOOO!!!! I'm there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Jill | October 31, 2009 12:58 PM
Posted on October 31, 2009 12:58
I moved to Baltimore from Buffalo a few months ago, and we pretty have every kind of grocery store down here, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods included. Even Wegmans, though that is a bit of a hike, and I haven't been there yet. Whole Foods is really a larger & more-varied Lexington Co-op, so I wouldn't really see the need for it either. Trader Joe's could work because it is cheaper gourmet.
Posted by EdibleMarie | November 10, 2009 12:28 PM
Posted on November 10, 2009 12:28
Any word on Trader Joe's?
Posted by GB | January 12, 2010 5:08 PM
Posted on January 12, 2010 17:08
I am not a Buffalo resident but half my extended family is from the North Tonawanda area. I live in Columbus, Ohio and I shop both TJ's and Whole Foods. Interestingly enough there are two whole foods within 15 minutes of my house as well as a TJ's right across from the one Whole Foods. Whole Foods is actually right in line with TJ's and in fact on some items TJ's is more expensive. I think a Whole Foods in Buffalo would be awesome and you all definitely have the income base to support it!
Posted by Lynne | March 29, 2010 9:20 PM
Posted on March 29, 2010 21:20
No wonder I couldn't find either of these stores here - we don't have them. I am going through Whole Foods withdrawal. Please - if there s any chance at all of getting either of these stores here - we should roll out the red carpet!
Posted by Sue | April 15, 2010 8:48 PM
Posted on April 15, 2010 20:48