We were so excited about checking out the new Whole Foods Market in Boystown which opened last week, that we accidentally grabbed our Trader Joe’s reusable bag instead of our Whole Foods one (we figure it’s the thought that counts, right?). But walking around the large airy store with Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Starting Something” playing in the background, we quickly forgot all about our faux pas as well as that of Whole Foods CEO John Mackey and his Wild Oats Market blog bashing (can we say “busted”?).
We loved that the beautiful color-tiled façade of the building is still intact which we think lends support to the store’s statement of looking “forward to participating in many of the community’s cultural events, including Pride Parade and Northalsted Market Days and to sharing the neighborhood with some of our favorite vendors and hot spots.” Need more convincing that the store gets the hood? We noticed in their events calendar for August a “Guys’ Night Out,” complete with samples of skin and body care products (sadly we didn’t see a “Girls Night Out,” but hopefully that’s just an oversight). And we wouldn’t be surprised if the ongoing free wine and cheese mixer becomes the place to start the evening on Fridays.
Here’s what else we loved:
- The food in the three double-sided buffet bars — with plenty of walking around room — looked really fresh, especially the Mexican chickpeas, tandoori chicken and sautéed collard greens with bacon. (Note: We didn’t like the grazers that seem to be part of any Whole Foods, who wander with plastic fork and cup in hand treating the buffet as their private freebie food trough. You know who you are.)
- The green Melamine-looking plates and bowls for eating in the cozy lounge.
- The cozy lounge with a huge front window overlooking Halsted.
- The 18 flavors of gelato. (Need we say more?)
- The made-to-order rice and noodle bowl station, complete with plastic replicas of the dishes (call us crazy, but we love those!).
- The Taste of Vino machine, which lets you try Opus One for $8, as well as Terrasses Rhone Valley Ventoux for $.75.
- The helpful guy at the deli who recommended pairing Asiago cheese with the Vesuvio roasted turkey breast. (“They complement each other really well.”)
Whole Foods Market Northalsted is open daily 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
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Great. A review of a chain grocery store. I can't wait for your take on the Peterson Ave. Target.
Hmmm, I guess I come from the school of thought that not all chains are bad. And while I prefer catering to mom and pops, I don't assume just because a store is independently owned that makes them great either. But that's just me.
Shhh....don't tell anyone about the Peterson Ave. Target!!!
Where are the Mom and Pop food stores in Lakeview? The neighborhood definitely needs more food stores escpecially since nobody has done anything to fill the void left by the Dominick's that burned down.
Treasure Island in Lakeview East is definitely an Independent grocer, but they operate a very different concept from Whole Foods.
It's not a matter of "Mom and Pop vs. the Chains." The point is that the opening of another chain store supermarket in the city is not noteworthy.
I am not sure why this merits a post other than, perhaps, the Chicagoist writers are running out of ideas.
Is this really abut what isn't out there? Or ... is this about a big addition to a neighborhood that doesn't have much in the way of grocery stores? Either Chicagoist could sit and whine about the lack of these "quality" indpendent stores or bemoan a burned dwon Dominicks ... or, they could review the one that is now acutally standing there. Chain or no chain. Which is what they did. Geez.
YES! to that last comment. I live in the hood, too, so I'm happy about the new store as well, especially since the spot where the Dominick's once stood--a mere block or two from me--is still vacant. And please, I would love some recommendations to check out so bring 'em on.
This is also a worthy review becuase the Whole Foods is renting space from the new Center on Halstead. Not only is the Center an amazing new community center, but the building takes environmental construction to a new level of sophistication for Chicago.
"a neighborhood that doesn't have much in the way of grocery stores"... say what? Within a couple blocks of this new Whole Foods are both a Jewel/Osco (Broadway & Addison) and a Treasure Island (Broadway & Cornelia). A slightly longer walk north leads to another Jewel/Osco at Sheridan & Montrose. I fail to see how the neighborhood "doesn't have much in the way of grocery stores."
But mind you, I'm cool with this new Whole Foods store. It's walking distance for me, and it provides stuff that the Jewels don't have. I will probably mainly be using this Whole Foods as a supplement for the more hard-to-find gourmet items, for the ready made meal options listed above like the stir-fry rice bowl counter, and for the amazing pastry counter. (drrooooool.)
i personally am jazzed cuz i could just hop the #8 bus to these new digs from my place. a little more troublesome to get the broadway bus for me.
Lakeview NEEDS another grocery store! If you consider the population density and the lack of a grocery store in the area bordered from Lakeshore, Belmont, Ashland, and Diversy. There is nothing inside that box.
Up north, there are more stores but for people who don't have a car this is an excellent new option for purchasing top quality food!
"But walking around the large airy store with Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Starting Something” playing in the background, we quickly forgot all about our faux pas as well as that of Whole Foods CEO John Mackey and his Wild Oats Market blog bashing"
Can MJ also make you forget Whole Foods' anti-worker policies?
Anti-worker policies?
Whole Foods has ranked as one of the top 100 companies to work for in the US (among all companies) in each of the past 10 years. In the 2007, Whole Foods ranked 5. I believe Whole Food's employees are quite happy to work for the company.
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/fortune/0701/gallery.bestcos/5.html
To the guest who mentioned the fact that the Whole Foods is in the Center on Halsted, while that's a good point, the author of this piece didn't mention it in the article. This writer must be new or something.
A review of a store that's no different than any other Whole Foods except for its placement in/by the Center on Halsted and that part doesn't even get mentioned? I hope for Chicagoist sake this writer is new. Don't worry, you might be able to train her yet!
Well, whatever Fortune magazine reports must be true. (wow) Look at their survey methodology -- flaws galore.
In any case, saying Whole Foods is one of the top companies to work for in the U.S. isn't saying much.
And whether or not most of its employees are "quite happy to work for the company" is completely irrelevant to the issue of workers' rights. The problem is the company's attitude and actions towards workers who want to strengthen their bargaining position and have a greater voice in how the company is run. You know - the type of democracy that actually means something.
My gawd, this 'review' seems like it is straight outta the Red Eye.
"Look at their survey methodology -- flaws galore." -- where are your facts to back up this statement.
"And whether or not most of its employees are "quite happy to work for the company" is completely irrelevant to the issue of workers' rights." -- ?????? this comment makes no sense
"In any case, saying Whole Foods is one of the top companies to work for in the U.S. isn't saying much." "You know - the type of democracy that actually means something." -- honestly sounds like you have much bigger issues that with Whole Foods.
WF is a wonderful company that makes a positive impact on the lives of workers, local communities and the underprivileged through its millions of dollars in charitable contributions.
Plus it offers great/healthy food and it is a fun place to go!
I cannot fathom how anyone would long for that horror known as the Broadway Dominick's with it's near rotten produce,the graying occupants of it's meat case, and deli selling all the newest and hippest pastries from 1978. As it burned that summer day two years ago, I commented to a stranger standing next to me. "I wonder if they'll upgrade the store interior now?"
Treasure Island has it's work cut out for it with the arrival of Whole Foods. And, that's good for the neighborhood shopper. In the past few weeks, I have noticed a substantial upgrade in the quality of what TI sells on both it's fish and seafood counters.
I only hope that they can meet the challenge with regard to their produce and deli areas, too.
The Whole Foods Store is lovely. But, in three visits in the past week, i have yet to exit without dropping at least a hundred bucks.
WF is a wonderful company that makes a positive impact on the lives of workers, local communities and the underprivileged through its millions of dollars in charitable contributions.
Plus it offers great/healthy food and it is a fun place to go!
Uhh, thank you John Mackey.
Obviously not John Mackey.
Really just stating the facts. Peronsally, I wish more companies were like WF.
"Lakeview NEEDS another grocery store! If you consider the population density and the lack of a grocery store in the area bordered from Lakeshore, Belmont, Ashland, and Diversy. There is nothing inside that box."
Yeah, nothing "inside" that box, but there is a Marketplace on the south side of Diversey, a Jewel on the west side of Ashland and another Whole Foods a block from Belmont/Ashland. That's absurd line drawing to make a point. How about Broadway/Belmont/Southport/Diversey which doesn't rely on technicalities to be accurate?
I was very disappointed that this store has eliminated bulk food with their Whole Paycheck strategy. The selection is more meager with every trip to other Whole Foods. Hopefully they won't takeover and ruin the Wild Oats store in Evanston, so I can still go there for flax seed, wheat berries, and other healthy whole foods. With Sherwyn's now kaput, Wild Oats should come to Lincoln Park/Lakeview. And how did the Center on Halsted manage to ignore bike racks?