Around Columbia
Whole Foods Market® announces grand opening date, October 25th, plus sneak preview tours
Sneak preview tours Sunday, October 21 and Monday, October 22 benefiting Palmetto Conservation
COLUMBIA, SC - October 3, 2012 - Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM) will officially open its doors in Columbia on Thursday, October 25, and sneak preview tours benefiting Palmetto Conservation will offer an early look at its first store in Columbia. For a $5 donation to Palmetto Conservation, eager customers can take a tour of the new store, located at 702 Cross Hill Road in the Cross Hill Market shopping center. Tours are scheduled throughout the day on Sunday, October 21st and Monday, October 22, and attendees must register in advance for a time slot: http://columbia.wholefoodsrsvp.com.
Tour participants will be the first to get a glimpse of the new store and learn about some of its highlights and features, taste samples in each department, and receive a goodie bag. The store opens for business Thursday, October 25 at 9:00 AM.
Whole Foods Market Columbia’s Store Team Leader, Jeff Campbell, said “We are looking forward to giving the community a sneak preview of our first store in Charlotte. We’re also thrilled to partner with Palmetto Conservation, since their vision really aligns with our Core Values and our commitment to the environment. Money raised from the tours will go to expanding and restoring the Forest Acres Passage of the Palmetto Trail.”
The 37,000 square-foot store will feature lots of local produce and locally made products, in-house smoked meats, huge café area including outside seating, fresh salad bar and prepared foods area, in-store made gelato and smoothies . . . and much more!
About Whole Foods Market®
Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (wholefoodsmarket.com, NASDAQ: WFM), is the leading natural and organic food retailer. As America’s first national certified organic grocer, Whole Foods Market was named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” by Health magazine. The company's motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures its mission to ensure customer satisfaction and health, Team Member excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to the company’s more than 64,000 Team Members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine for 15 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2011, the company had sales of more than $10 billion and currently has more than 315 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
