BIZNOTE: West Seattle Whole Foods update

(WSB photo)

13 years in the making – albeit on and off and on and off and on – but now Whole Foods Market may be just two months away from finally opening in West Seattle. Our most recent request for an official update has gone unanswered so far, but we note that the company’s job listing posted in the WSB West Seattle Jobs Offered section declares that the store in The Whittaker at 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW is “opening in October.” That’s an update from the “fall” timeline announced via window wrapping last year. We took a walk around the periphery today; an open door gave a peek into the ongoing buildout activity, but nothing revelatory. More telling – the online permit files, where a recent revision included the toplines “Deleted express checkouts, deleted tap room bar and keg cooler, added self-checkouts …” along with some equipment moves for the bakery and coffee/juice bar. Other features shown in sketches include salad, soup, hot-food, and pizza bars. The store’s liquor-license application was filed three weeks ago, according to the state Liquor and Cannabis Board notice.

AliAlki August 9, 2019 (3:26 pm)

I am super excited that they will be nearby!

Onion August 9, 2019 (5:12 pm)

Delete express checkout and add self checkout — meh!

hj August 9, 2019 (10:37 pm)

I sometimes forget that WF is now owned by Amazon, but stuff like this reminds me.

Yma August 9, 2019 (5:47 pm)

Looking forward to PCC

Organic grocery shopper August 9, 2019 (9:20 pm)

I hope PCC opens in time for Thanksgiving.
- PCC member August 10, 2019 (9:00 am)
  
  I heard from a butcher at the Columbia City store that they have already ordered the turkeys.

Lacey August 9, 2019 (6:20 pm)

I heard through the grapevine PCC is rushing to complete and open before Whole Foods does— have u heard anything about this?

WSB August 9, 2019 (6:42 pm)

As noted yesterday, they won’t say anything more on the record than “fall.”
Dan Keller August 9, 2019 (10:53 pm)

I live 2 blocks from the new PCC, and they a ways to go to beat Whole Foods!

Cat August 10, 2019 (6:29 am)

Now that they are owned by Amazon I never go there. And never will again. Thank heavens for PCC.

Mike August 10, 2019 (6:58 am)

Why? You don’t have to stop going to PCC if you go to WF. You don’t support one of the biggest employers in the area? Tell me you’re not like Sawant, raging against Amazon.com but then spends over $1,000 at Amazon.com. That was just hilarious to see in public records for Sawants campaign spending.
- Marina August 11, 2019 (2:10 pm)
  
  After a few searches, I couldn’t find any coverage of what you mean re: Sawant ordering from Amazon for her campaign. Maybe provide a citation or gtfo.
  - chemist August 11, 2019 (4:38 pm)
    
    Personally, I’d be more likely to question the campaign paying microsoft $143 for a copy of Excel for a campaign that will be over in a half year. I think Office 365 is $99/yr or less. AMAZON.COM, INC. – $1,368.25 – http://web6.seattle.gov/ethics/elections/poplist.aspx?cid=635&listtype=vendors
    - heartless August 11, 2019 (6:31 pm)
      
      That’s hilarious. I had of course seen that claim bandied about in other threads–and never doubted its veracity–but clicking that link (thank you, Chemist) and realizing how LITTLE they spent on Amazon really makes me laugh. I mean, they spent 1.4k on Amazon–sure, who hasn’t–but compared to the $1500 spent on Seattle Gay News? The $7,000 they spent on local printing? Hell, they seemingly spent 600 bucks to text ex-pats in Australia… The Amazon expenses might vaguely approach an amusing irony to arch-enemies, but–So so funny how there’s nothing there…

Terry Wisen August 10, 2019 (8:59 am)

Because PCC is not owned by Amazon, I will never go there. Thank heaven for Amazon and giving so many people in our community jobs.

KM August 10, 2019 (9:57 am)

I know what you mean, PCC hires people from Florida and Nebraska. They all have very long commutes.
Scott August 14, 2019 (10:12 pm)

Please, please, please tell me that this is sarcasm. Not the commutes comment…Terry’s.

WF is Amazon August 10, 2019 (10:10 am)

I’m voting with my $$$ and will not support Amazon-owned Whole Foods because of their long history of human rights violations against their employees, especially those in fulfillment centers. Sleeping Giants also reported that: ” Amazon remains the largest advertiser on Breitbart and it still has a storefront for InfoWars (helping monetize it and profit themselves) and regularly sells Nazi memorabilia.” (Sleeping Giants via Twitter, 7/22/19). We are responsible for creating the kind of community we want. https://nypost.com/2019/07/13/inside-the-hellish-workday-of-an-amazon-warehouse-employee/ 

Jethro Marx August 10, 2019 (4:42 pm)

Yes but where do you shop? Did Jesus open a bodega and I missed it? I hope it’s on Delridge. But also, the kind of community I want is one where sensationalized news items are scoffed at, whether they appear on Breitbart or the New York Post or elsewhere.

Peter August 10, 2019 (6:15 pm)

Oh how will Whole Foods ever survive without commenters who refuse to shop at Amazon?! That’ll show them!

anonyme August 11, 2019 (6:15 am)

Despite anyone’s feelings pro or against Amazon, the fact is that Whole Foods has deteriorated under Amazon ownership. Variety has dwindled to nothing, sometimes even leaving bare shelves, produce is crappy, deli items are iffy, organic options have dwindled. Whole Foods used to have a mission statement requiring that every item in the store be either organic and/or non-GMO, etc., but no more. I recently purchased a rice mix at WF that was more than a year past the expiration date. Now that PCC carries the budget Field Day brand, there’s no reason to go to Whole Foods. PCC is a superior experience in every way.

Jethro Marx August 12, 2019 (9:55 am)

Either you have a penchant for exaggerating or this grocery store is frequented by shoppers who want crappy produce, zero selection, (or would that be one selection?) potentially nauseous prepared food, and dry grains stamped with fairly meaningless yet concerning “expiration” dates. I guess we all choose where we shop differently. To one who rarely shops at the fancy stores, this may sound like elitist bickering over whose grass is greener.

Sorry, comment time is over.