There is something oh so wonderful coming to my neck of the woods. It’s opening today. I would be referring to the brand spanking new Whole Foods Market Clearwater. For me, the excitement is palpable. I have been anxiously awaiting the completion of the construction process for many months. I watched like a hawk to see when the opening date would be announced, and it has finally arrived. Whole Foods Market Clearwater, I have a feeling we are about to become the best of friends.
I was so fortunate to be invited in early to the store to take a sneak peek tour behind the scenes. Which only increased my excitement, because there are some amazing elements included in this location…
For instance: PIZZA! The Clearwater Whole Foods Market location is the first to have a pizza program, and I have a feeling I will be ordering up a slice (or a whole pie) to take home with a bottle of wine on a Friday night when I want a relaxing no-cooking evening. I love that you can watch the pizzas cooking in their oven; the crust has a nice crisp crunch to it, and the toppings are amazing. I could go on forever about pizza, but I’ll move along.
Along with the pizza, the Whole Foods Clearwater prepared foods section is going to have a plethora of options to choose from. Rotisserie chickens (flavors changing daily), wings by the bucket, fresh donuts, cookies, an international food bar (the cuisine changes – in past stores they’ve offered Ethiopian, Jamaican, and more), an organic salad bar, and a regular salad bar. And because the Clearwater area is big for Greek cuisine, there is a Greek station available as well! Pita sandwiches with lamb kabobs, falafel, hummus, and more!
Around the corner from the prepared foods section is where you will probably be able to find me: the beer, wine, and cheese bar! You can actually pull up a stool, have a glass poured, and order up a cheese and charcuterie board of your choosing. And these cheese boards aren’t ordinary cheese boards, by the way. One of the biggest reasons I’m so excited to see this store in my area is for their amazing selection of unique and interesting cheeses. The fact that you can chat with staff who are knowledgeable about the selections is going to be such a treat. As for the beer, there will be local craft beer selections available, which is fantastic!
If that wasn’t enough…there are $8 bar specials on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Sundays. Mondays are Beer and Burgers, Tuesdays are Beer and Pizza, and Sundays are Beer and Wings. If that doesn’t get your significant other (who doesn’t enjoy shopping) to be convinced to come along with you to the market, I don’t know what will.
I am really looking forward to shopping around the store to see what is available in Whole Foods’ 365 Everyday Value line. They have both natural and organic selections, and are priced to not break the bank. I know there are certain items I will be able to procure from Whole Foods that I just am not able to elsewhere (such as my favorite ginger beer that I can’t seem to find anywhere else – HOORAY! Moscow Mules for all!). I do love that Whole Foods’ products are free of artificial flavorings, colorings, sweeteners, preservatives, and hydrogenated fats. I’ve really been trying my best to rid my house of processed foods in general, and I think having Whole Foods nearby will really help me with the final transition.
Another thing to love about Whole Foods Market: they try to buy local whenever possible. They are highlighting local products throughout the store, either by placing them on endcaps like this one, or they mark them on the shelves. It’s great to see they are interested in supporting businesses near to the store. I can’t wait to discover some new local products from vendors I may not have experienced before!
I am also absolutely loving the bulk section in the back corner of Whole Foods Clearwater. From nuts, to grains, to dried fruits, you can fill up by the pound. I may or may not have made my plans to visit this section as soon as possible.
So – with the grand opening happening this morning, who is ready to shop? I know I’ll be a frequent visitor to Whole Foods Market Clearwater; I can’t wait to see what happens in the store!
Do you have a Whole Foods Market near you? What do you like to shop for when you’re there?
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