Englewood's First Whole Foods Market Is Now Open

By Anthony Todd in Food on Sep 28, 2016 2:10PM

The new Whole Foods location with employees outside. Photo via Facebook.

Today marks the grand opening of the new Englewood location of Whole Foods, an opening the community leaders hope will provide jobs and lead to additional business development in the area. The mayor and other community leaders are expected to attend.

The Whole Foods is part of a 20 million dollar complex called "Englewood Square," which was financed with a combination of public subsidies and private money and includes other businesses like Starbucks. Whole Foods has reportedly adjusted its pricing for this location—an important change for a business often referred to as "whole paycheck" that is attempting to gain a foothold in a lower-income neighborhood. Neighborhood residents told the Trib that they hope that the development will have a "ripple effect" on the neighborhood, leading more businesses to decide to invest in the South Side.

According to ABC7, more than 100 local residents will have jobs at the new store, and almost 40 South Side vendors will be selling products at the store. The opening is a big event, with samples available from many different vendors until 3.p.m. There were lines around the block for the opening this morning: