Wild Whole Foods Rumor

[Road_warrior]

I know Whole Food represenatives toured Midtown last summer looking at locations. I don't see WSU giving up the corner of Woodward and Warren. I heard they looked at the corner of E Forest and John R were the old Crossroads was located.

[English]

I know Whole Food represenatives toured Midtown last summer looking at locations.

If this is true, I am absolutely, positively floored. One would think they'd go to Royal Oak first.

[BigD]

I have spoken to two well placed sources about this. One told me "its a done deal, they're coming." The other told me "I can't talk about it." Sounds promising.

[English]

Yes, promising if we get enough residents to patronize both the Whole Foods and say, Kim's Produce. I'm not too worried about Avalon and Goodwells; they both sell goods that a WF wouldn't, and Avalon may even supply the store with bread, as they do for Plum Market and Holiday's.

I guess I'm just surprised because we can't even keep first-floor retail open on the ground floor of the dorms -- the shops on Anthony Wayne are doing OK, but Pizzeria Venti shut down suddenly this fall, and the B&N convenience store will be gone in April as well. [[My futile wish is for a full service pharmacy and convenience store to open in that location, much like the new campus CVS @ U-M Ann Arbor... but of course, it won't with the perennially understocked University Pharmacy right there in the same block.)

[Road_warrior]

Businesses on AWD can't survive due to parking. The students can't sustain them and other possible patrons don't have access to convient parking. I would love to see a Qdoba in one of those first floor store fronts.

[stasu1213]

Businesses on AWD can't survive due to parking. The students can't sustain them and other possible patrons don't have access to convient parking. I would love to see a Qdoba in one of those first floor store fronts.

Wholefoods should buy out the grocery store that had taken over Farmer Jacks when it had closed. Whole Foods could open in that location off Warren and have plenty of parking

[Zacha341]

If they come I may patronize a bit, but again my income prevents me from being happy to pay outrageous prices for the privileged of the WF 'experience'. And I work three jobs!

Whoa to the person in more serious economic straights as WF is out of their price range, especially when you can shop around for far better deals even in the border suburbs like east Dearborn where produce is far, far cheaper and of good quality due to the large middle-east population.

Now I INDEED get and fully comprehend the whole [[pardon the pun) 'organic' or nothing at all argument, but EVERYONE's not there! MANY Detroiters just need to be able to get some form of fresh produce instead of the horrid canned and base freezer-burned frozen veggies available in the liquor-lottery 'hood' stores...

For me I'll continue with the 'whole foods' as an attainable reality and concept not a big CORPORATE 'brand' theme store thing elsewhere. Like KIMS... I love Kims!

Yes, promising if we get enough residents to patronize both the Whole Foods and say, Kim's Produce. I'm not too worried about Avalon and Goodwells; they both sell goods that a WF wouldn't, and Avalon may even supply the store with bread, as they do for Plum Market and Holiday's.

I guess I'm just surprised because we can't even keep first-floor retail open on the ground floor of the dorms -- the shops on Anthony Wayne are doing OK, but Pizzeria Venti shut down suddenly this fall, and the B&N convenience store will be gone in April as well. [[My futile wish is for a full service pharmacy and convenience store to open in that location, much like the new campus CVS @ U-M Ann Arbor... but of course, it won't with the perennially understocked University Pharmacy right there in the same block.)

[Zacha341]

But would the rank and file Detroiter be able to purchase food from Whole Foods? No! WF is extremely high!!! And they celebrate that fact as part of their default 'exclusivity'.... Catering to a certain economic [[they'd prefer to term 'social-cultural' - smile) demographic.... Not those using a 'bridge card', or the student working part time. Thus, I think any store they'd open would be a smaller version than say their Farmington Hills location....

Wholefoods should buy out the grocery store that had taken over Farmer Jacks when it had closed. Whole Foods could open in that location off Warren and have plenty of parking

[Zacha341]

Yeah, I'd think that too, 'cept RO already had Trader Joes, Westborn [[I think that's the name of it up on Woodward), and Holliday.... and real estate ain't exactly cheap in RO and for sure they would take that into consideration....... They can forget about coming to Dearborn as there are plenty of independent markets doing very well selling produce at extremely low prices..... albeit not all organic.

If this is true, I am absolutely, positively floored. One would think they'd go to Royal Oak first.

[oldredfordette]

Yep, the rent is too damn high!

[English]

Obviously, the Whole Foods isn't meant for the "rank and file" Detroiter. The average Detroiter's children is being threatened with 60 students in high school classrooms. The average Detroiter can't afford to rent at Studio One or purchase a loft in Midtown.

Clearly, Detroit will be a "model" for the 21st century. We will be a model for glaring income disparities, and no middle class at all.

[LodgeDodger]

But would the rank and file Detroiter be able to purchase food from Whole Foods? No! WF is extremely high!!! And they celebrate that fact as part of their default 'exclusivity'.... Catering to a certain economic [[they'd prefer to term 'social-cultural' - smile) demographic.... Not those using a 'bridge card', or the student working part time. Thus, I think any store they'd open would be a smaller version than say their Farmington Hills location....

I'm insulted by your comments. I'm a regular shopper at Whole Foods. While their prices for organics may be a little higher than stores like Meijer, they're certainly not any higher than Kroger. Their prices for conventional produce are in line with [[and sometimes less than) Meijer. If you're a smart shopper, you can do just as well at Whole Foods than at Kroger [[whose produce is high). Many of the fresh, organic items I've purchased at Whole Foods last longer than the crap that passes for vegetables and fruits at Kroger. Even better, bring your own bags to Whole Foods, and for each of your bags used for packing groceries, they donate ten cents to Gleaners. Plus, the staff is incredibly personable and helpful.

We've all been where you are, Zacha. If you feel you "can't" shop at Whole Foods, then don't. But keep your opinions to yourself about those who do.

[iheartthed]

I'm insulted by your comments. I'm a regular shopper at Whole Foods. While their prices for organics may be a little higher than stores like Meijer, they're certainly not any higher than Kroger. Their prices for conventional produce are in line with [[and sometimes less than) Meijer. If you're a smart shopper, you can do just as well at Whole Foods than at Kroger [[whose produce is high). Many of the fresh, organic items I've purchased at Whole Foods last longer than the crap that passes for vegetables and fruits at Kroger. Even better, bring your own bags to Whole Foods, and for each of your bags used for packing groceries, they donate ten cents to Gleaners. Plus, the staff is incredibly personable and helpful.

We've all been where you are, Zacha. If you feel you "can't" shop at Whole Foods, then don't. But keep your opinions to yourself about those who do.

I was wondering why so many people found Whole Foods to be expensive? Their produce is well within line of just about any other grocery store I've ever shopped at, and the quality is better than most. The meat counter might be slightly more expensive, but certainly not a wallet buster if you're used to shopping at places like Kroger. The cereals are usually priced the same or cheaper. I'm beginning to wonder just how many people responding to this thread have actually shopped at a Whole Foods before.

[Zacha341]

I am sorry that you feel 'personally' insulted, but I'll not keep my 'opinions' and comments to myself so long as they are within the boundary standards as set forth by the site administrator of this site [[ie. not overusing profanity, porn, direct and or insulated 'personal' threats-attacks, spamming etc.). After all Detyes is open for opinions 'pro AND con' on a given subject.

And as I stated, I too would shop at WF for 'some' things. I've made not one negative comment about any staff person working there. I'm glad they are working! And... when I said "they'd prefer to term 'social-cultural' - smile..." I was referring to WF's voice and perspective in the matter... not the shoppers voice. You should continue to shop at WF's; nothing I've said should prevent that...

Perhaps we'd been in the same check out line from time to time. OK?

I'm insulted by your comments. I'm a regular shopper at Whole Foods. While their prices for organics may be a little higher than stores like Meijer, they're certainly not any higher than Kroger. Their prices for conventional produce are in line with [[and sometimes less than) Meijer. If you're a smart shopper, you can do just as well at Whole Foods than at Kroger [[whose produce is high). Many of the fresh, organic items I've purchased at Whole Foods last longer than the crap that passes for vegetables and fruits at Kroger. Even better, bring your own bags to Whole Foods, and for each of your bags used for packing groceries, they donate ten cents to Gleaners. Plus, the staff is incredibly personable and helpful.

We've all been where you are, Zacha. If you feel you "can't" shop at Whole Foods, then don't. But keep your opinions to yourself about those who do.

[Zacha341]

That's a point... However, I worked in Farmington Hills and Southfield for many, many years and shopped at the WF's on Orchard Lake Rd. from time to time as I could afford it, especially before Nature Patch on 9 mile increased their stock over the years and now there are other alternaives to WF's. I started to find better prices elsewhere and yes, Kroger's produce is high too, so I don't by produce from Kroger. But there are other things I do buy from Krogers.

I was wondering why so many people found Whole Foods to be expensive? Their produce is well within line of just about any other grocery store I've ever shopped at, and the quality is better than most. The meat counter might be slightly more expensive, but certainly not a wallet buster if you're used to shopping at places like Kroger. The cereals are usually priced the same or cheaper. I'm beginning to wonder just how many people responding to this thread have actually shopped at a Whole Foods before.

[JDKeepsmiling]

Personally, I would think that a store like a Hiller's would be a better fit for Midtown. They are locally owned, and sounce lots of local products, but still have that slightly upper bent to their offering that might fit in with the midtown demographic. However, I have no idea if the Hiller family wuld ever consider going into the city, right now they only seem to go into the high class suburban areas.

[Zacha341]

Yeah point well made... so with that reality and their return on investment thus compromised by such facts they would probably open a smaller store than the ones in the suburbs...

Obviously, the Whole Foods isn't meant for the "rank and file" Detroiter. The average Detroiter's children is being threatened with 60 students in high school classrooms. The average Detroiter can't afford to rent at Studio One or purchase a loft in Midtown.

Clearly, Detroit will be a "model" for the 21st century. We will be a model for glaring income disparities, and no middle class at all.

[LodgeDodger]

That's a point... However, I worked in Farmington Hills and Southfield for many, many years and shopped at the WF's on Orchard Lake Rd. from time to time as I could afford it, especially before Nature Patch on 9 mile increased their stock over the years and now there are other alternaives to WF's. I started to find better prices elsewhere and yes, Kroger's produce is high too, so I don't by produce from Kroger. But there are other things I do buy from Krogers.

That's my store--stay out of it. ;-|

[Zacha341]

Your store?! Yikes! ROTFL! How frightening... will do -- oh great one! Will do! : ) : )

That's my store--stay out of it. ;-|

[Zacha341]

Yeah, perhaps Hillers would make a better fit. If they could make a go of it what with parking being such a premium and problem.

Personally, I would think that a store like a Hiller's would be a better fit for Midtown. They are locally owned, and sounce lots of local products, but still have that slightly upper bent to their offering that might fit in with the midtown demographic. However, I have no idea if the Hiller family wuld ever consider going into the city, right now they only seem to go into the high class suburban areas.

[LodgeDodger]

Your store?! Yikes! ROTFL! How frightening... will do -- oh great one! Will do! : ) : )

You've been warned.

[Zacha341]

^^^ Lowell is this getting into the 'personal threat' arena? I am trying to take it light as these are just conversations and varied opinions being shared here, but er... 'some' are going off to the 'deeps ends'?

[LodgeDodger]

^^^ Lowell is this getting into the 'personal threat' arena? I am trying to take it light as these are just conversations and varied opinions being shared here, but er... 'some' are going off to the 'deeps ends'?

I think Lowell knows I'm bullshitting you.

[Zacha341]

Ok, then let's call it a truce [[smile).... Let's meet at the meat section of WF's at Orchard Lake : ) I do like their fresh fish selections!

I think Lowell knows I'm bullshitting you.

[English]

Clearly, the best Whole Foods in Michigan is the Ann Arbor - Washtenaw Ave location. Their hot bar *is* the best buffet in that town, with all natural ingredients. I'll really miss it when I move away this spring.

And as stated upthread, I patronized it as a grad student making between $15-20K per year. I don't think it's just income that would make most Detroiters not care for it -- it's just part of a culture and lifestyle that many aren't part of. Same reason why my family's ambivalent about Avalon and I've loved them for a decade. Food, art, and culture is something I care about -- they care about other things that I don't, and they know more about them too. [[Case in point: siblings took me to GameStop during the holiday season, and I nearly went out of my skin in boredom. It gave me a new admiration of gamers, though -- that's an entirely different "world" than the one I inhabit.)