West Seattle Whole Foods update: “We are deeply committed”

| Development | Triangle | West Seattle news

You may have heard that the Interbay Whole Foods project is now back on track, as officially announced today. Our fellow neighborhood-news-site operators at MagnoliaVoice.com covered the announcement and were kind enough to ask WF about its West Seattle status on our behalf. John Clougher, Pacific Northwest regional manager for Whole Foods, replied: “As far as West Seattle, we are on track and deeply committed to that project. It is a solid commitment and we can’t wait to get going. There is no opening date yet but it usually takes 5-7 months after the construction of the shell is complete and delivered to Whole Foods.” (We’ve had messages out to local developers BlueStar for a few days to find out when construction will be gearing up again at the Fauntleroy Place site, and will let you know when we hear from them.) ADDED 2:11 PM: MagnoliaVoice.com‘s full story on today’s Interbay announcement is now up; see it here.

Neighbor January 27, 2009 (12:19 pm)

Whole Foods bad. PCC good.

Steph January 27, 2009 (12:27 pm)

TJ’s even better!

Neighbor January 27, 2009 (12:33 pm)

Sure if you want things from half way around the planet…
PCC is committed to local farmers and local economies. They are huge advocates for our food and agriculture policies. Every bite you eat is a political choice.

KSJ January 27, 2009 (12:33 pm)

A completed building instead of a hole in ground is best by far.

Burton January 27, 2009 (12:43 pm)

There’s already a PCC in WS. Only hippies and people who smell like patchoulishop there. I’m interested in SUV moms and 19 dollar salads from the salad bar.

Hole in the Ground January 27, 2009 (12:54 pm)

Personally, I’m pretty revved up about 30 empty condo units and $8 egg salad sandwiches.

Neighbor January 27, 2009 (1:02 pm)

Burton-shows what you know, PCC installed an air door sanitizer system way back so that when anyone steps in they are cleansed of all patchouli air molecules..breathe deep my friend.

KatherineL January 27, 2009 (1:18 pm)

Have you been reading about the contaminated honey supply? I called and asked PCC for their sources. Except for one brand, all their sources are Northwestern. Mike in grocery told me they’ve contacted the suppliers to get written statements of who all their suppliers are. He volunteered to get back to me when he gets more information.

Would Whole Foods do that? Or TJ? Or would they issue vague reassurances that don’t say anything?

Sue January 27, 2009 (1:30 pm)

Why does every update about the WF project have to turn into a debate on whether PCC or Whole Foods or TJ’s is better, overpriced, etc., etc.? You don’t want to shop at Whole Foods? Don’t! Go where you prefer. Leave room for the rest of us in whatever is our store of choice.

ellenater January 27, 2009 (1:41 pm)

amne, Sue. WGAS! Not me.

Also, I don’t buy it. Whole Foods’ statements are vague to me. They always sound like someone running for office on a trumped up campaign promise to me. Even with the help, Whole Foods is in trouble!

jm January 27, 2009 (1:53 pm)

AMEN Sue!

Neighbor January 27, 2009 (2:02 pm)

Sue-before you throw your hands up in the air and declare us all a bunch of raving zealots….perhaps I can offer a little insight. Food, it’s production, it’s cost both to our wallets and to the environment is an issue that effects us all in ways that can effect the survival of the planet. It is this understanding that drives many of us to be passionate advocates. It encompasses the most basic needs that we humans have and for many of us where we shop and what we eat are extensions of very basic core values. If the policies of some stores, and some producers result in damage to the environment and death of those laborers who provide our food it becomes an issue that many of us feel we have an obligation to to be passionate about. Where we spend our $$$ has consequences so on this your right, I’m VERY thankful we still have a choice!

villagegreen January 27, 2009 (3:46 pm)

PCC doesn’t have everything I need, so I will shop at Whole Foods because it’s within walking distance (hey, I’m saving the plant!) and has more variety. Simple as that. I’ll still shop at PCC, but won’t get on a high horse about it.

Brian January 27, 2009 (4:00 pm)

looks like Neighbor has too much time on their hands

elevated concern January 27, 2009 (5:16 pm)

Whole Foods may be on track but is Blue Star? No building…no lease and no liability on Whole Foods end of the contract. Developers erect cranes when there is product to move, regardless of whether the hole was dug ahead of schedule.

KT January 27, 2009 (7:51 pm)

Just exactly when was the last time anyone saw anything going on at the site since they dug the hole???

WSB January 27, 2009 (8:30 pm)

Construction’s been on hold more than a month. A BlueStar executive finally got back to me late today and said he’ll talk with me tomorrow, so I hope to have an update then – TR

Sue January 28, 2009 (10:15 am)

Neighbor, I never said anything about anyone being a “bunch of raving zealots” – I know a great deal about sustainability and the issues you bring out in your post, and those are important values to me and I make decisions based on them as well. As villagegreen pointed out, I will also be able to walk to the new Whole Foods, rather than taking the car out to go to PCC, so that’s worth something.
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My point of my original post had nothing to do with any of those values and choices as to where we shop. It was simply that whenever the topic of WF comes up, the posts are generally about how overpriced WF and/or PCC are, patchouli-scented hippies, spoiled yuppies who shop in those type stores, yada yada … it gets old, that’s all.

ellenater January 28, 2009 (11:28 am)

Ug. Who cares. leave Sue alone. I’ll go to Whole Foods because they have a few things I can’t get anywhere else for my food allergic son. you can also find deals there. God, who cares where people shop. Is it that the election is over so people need to fixate on something else. I’m really not trying to be on a soap box here, it’s just that this is a really great community, full of caring and educated, and (for the most part) down to earth people. I hate the continuous arguing and nitpicking. And mostly the attacking someone for no good reason. It’s just so not important where someone shops and more importantly, WHY. You tell ’em, Sue!

CMT January 28, 2009 (2:24 pm)

Hooray! I love Whole Foods!

PSPS January 28, 2009 (9:43 pm)

Anything that offers an alternative to the scourge that is Safeway is more than welcome. PCC has nice stuff, but the selection is very limited.
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And, hey! I love the smell of patchouli, especially when it’s on a “hippie” girl!
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If Whole Foods does actually open a store here, I’ll be very happy. But, despite what BlueStar says, I don’t think their project will actually get built anytime soon.