From the ‘in case you wondered too’ file: Newest estimate of when West Seattle Whole Foods Market will open

| 4755 Fauntleroy | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

The WSB inbox has been full of update requests lately, regarding various projects (thank you!), and we’re working on a bunch. First the most-asked question of the week: When is the West Seattle Whole Foods Market opening?

First the backstory: You’ll recall that a year ago, Whole Foods was shelving its plans for The Whittaker (WSB sponsor), second time it had canceled a West Seattle plan – but then six months later, we discovered last September that it was back on, and got confirmation.

Since then, we’ve had one update on timeline, when Whittaker reps told the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce in January that “late spring 2019” was the newest projection.

So this week, we went directly to WFM. A regional spokesperson’s reply:

We are grateful for the community’s excitement for this Whole Foods Market, and look forward to opening during the latter part of 2019.

As for other questions, such as how the chain’s evolution and experiments since Amazon’s takeover will affect the West Seattle plan … no specifics are public yet.

coffeedude April 17, 2018 (4:13 pm)

I am SO NOT EXCITED for this. Since Amazon took over, they SUCK. I will never shop them again.

No good? April 17, 2018 (4:44 pm)

I’ve not been in one since the takeover–and even before then would only go occasionally. How have they gone downhill, if you don’t mind my asking? Thanks
kravitz April 17, 2018 (5:12 pm)

Don’t worry, based on the timeline of late 2019 and the insane pace of growth in our area, developers will probably decide to raze the building and redevelop the block all over again… And yes, I’m being facetious.
- also john April 18, 2018 (11:14 am)
  
  @Kravitz…. Regardless it was funny.

Max April 17, 2018 (4:44 pm)

So… It will take longer for Whole Foods to put a store in an existing building than for PCC to return to a building that is currently a hole in the ground.

A-Red April 18, 2018 (7:45 am)

Whole Foods is just jealous of PCC hole in the ground. I’m sure they’re trying to manufacture a way out of this deal.

NW April 17, 2018 (4:47 pm)

We already have a steel mill bring on a meat rendering plant and low security prison not another popular grocery store! Thanks wsb for the coverage.

Jeff April 17, 2018 (4:51 pm)

Well I’m excited, if only in hopes it relieves some of the pressure on existing stores.

Grocery buyer April 17, 2018 (8:48 pm)

The only pressure at the Jefferson Square Safeway is the need for more cashiers.
- Colette April 18, 2018 (9:09 am)
  
  The parking lot at at the Jefferson Square Safeway is a nightmare. I call it the Death Wish Parking Lot. I rarely go there. I prefer QFC. The Admiral Safeway is nice—lots of choices, ample parking, good prices. I’ve never shopped at a Whole Foods. I’ve heard it’s pretty expensive.

sw April 17, 2018 (5:00 pm)

At least there isn’t a giant hole.

old timer April 17, 2018 (5:18 pm)

Wow, dead retail space, in the middle of the Junction, will continue for another year!

What a treat!

Maybe the new mayor could do some homeless housing there while the “big boys” figure out what and how they can milk the most money out of the spot.

ACG April 17, 2018 (5:31 pm)

When is the Burien PCC going to open? I thought I heard relatively soon???

heartless April 17, 2018 (6:17 pm)

“Late spring” according to WSB a few days ago.

WSB

(they mention it under the picture of the crane, about half way through the piece)
IworkforPCC April 18, 2018 (7:54 pm)

PCC is hoping to open Burien by the end of May!

anonyme April 17, 2018 (6:14 pm)

Agree with Coffeedude. I’ve shopped at Whole Foods for years, but the changes since Amazon took over are definitely not good. There are far less organic options available, especially in the produce section. Produce is often sparse and of poor quality. Selection has been cut way back, and brands I’ve bought for years are no longer carried. Maybe that’s because space is being used for Amazon electronics kiosks… The lower prices promised seem to apply only to newer, lower quality goods. Shopping has become like running an obstacle course as teams of phone-gazing employees race around the store filling internet orders. I’m looking forward to PCC coming back, although I hear from employees that they are adopting a more corporate model as well.

heartless April 17, 2018 (6:20 pm)

Ugh, that’s a shame. While I didn’t shop there often I did like the stores for certain essentials–some things were actually cheaper (and better) than places like Safeway.

derp April 17, 2018 (9:04 pm)

One thing I would not bet against is that Amazon won’t get the “Whole Foods Retail” thing right eventually. It may suck for a year or two, but trust that they are gathering data and soon the robots will make you happy. Happier than you’ve ever been! The Bezos machine is too tied to profit for anything else, and if anything, he has proven that he can make a profit. Even Trump hates him.

I’m old school, and I prefer humans, so I’m probably going to stick with PCC or any place that has human checkers and a decent price point for food that isn’t full of pesticides.

Kevin April 18, 2018 (9:47 am)

Pesticides ARE used on organic foods.

James April 17, 2018 (9:55 pm)

Reading these posts makes me wish for computer checkouts!

Airwolf April 18, 2018 (10:03 am)

They should use the space for new pizza place instead.

WSB April 18, 2018 (10:06 am)

Already pizza at The Whittaker (MOD) so not gonna happen. Do Whole Foods delis serve pizza, though? I haven’t been in one for more than a decade.
- M April 19, 2018 (4:33 pm)
  
  They do have pizza by the slice at WFMs. And maybe whole pies, too.
  
  I’ve gone to the WFM in South Lake U a couple of times lately and find the produce is better than Safeway/QFC/etc, but not better than PCC – so it’ll be the Columbia City PCC, until Burien opens up.

anonyme April 18, 2018 (5:25 pm)

WF delis do sell pizza, but it’s not great. PCC makes awesome pizza. Miss them.

DB Coop April 19, 2018 (4:09 pm)

I hope they never open. West Seattle doesn’t need them anymore than they’ve showed they need us. If the market took a down turn they would bail out just like last time. So, buh bye Hole Foods! Besdies when PCC opens back up we really don’t need a pseudo organic market anymore.

Sorry, comment time is over.