If you were to ask me what my ideal grocery store would include this is what I might say:
“Well… I’d like parking because even though I live in a walkable neighborhood, I don’t want to walk farther than a tenth of a mile with multiple kombuchas, green juice or carton of milk. As many organic foods as possible. Maybe a self serve frozen yogurt bar, because we don’t have one anywhere near the South End. A juice and smoothie bar in case I decide to go grocery shopping after I workout. A HUGE salad bar. Maybe a salon too in case I need a pedicure or foot massage during marathon training on my rest day which usually is my grocery shopping day – cheap wine and Fireball! I could really use some party spirits at my neighborhood grocery store.”
Turns out, someone read my mind and created my dream supermarket down the street!
WHOLE FOODS MARKET SOUTH END opened on January 9th at the Ink Block to much anticipation. I had no idea what I was waiting for.
It includes an urban day spa operated by milk + honey based out of Austin, Texas. You can book appointments online!
It is the only Whole Foods Market in Boston to carry beery, wine and spirits. I did see Fireball and wondered if their food standards are as high as their spirit standards because if they are – I like Fireball even more than I already did which I thought wasn’t possible. They sell their own version of 2 buck chuck – “Three Wishes” – which I didn’t know existed too. It costs under $5 which is a steal for a bottle in Boston.
In addition to what you would expect a new Whole Foods Market to include, this location also boasts a fresh pressed Juice Bar, The Fish Shack, Full Service Coffee Bar which includes locally sourced baked goods and Frozen Yogurt self serve bar!
I was invited to a store preview before the actual opening so the fresh foods were not yet in place when I brought my fancy camera. When I returned I was impressed with the addition of many prepared foods such as chopped bulk veggies and “Health Starts Here” entrees just needing some heat.
With three large rows for salad bar options, there is something literally for everyone. They even have a stir fry station, a power bowl station and hot station with over 10 options that are for special “diets.” There is pizza and fried clams too – so don’t worry, it’s not only for health freaks.
There is even FREE parking. With only 110 spots, show up early or wait for the crowds to die down. On Saturday and Sunday there was a queue to park in the lot and even free valet being offered to keep customers happy. Whole Foods Market South End also invited company employees from nearby stores to come and help with the first weekend making checkout a breeze. I waited a max of 60 seconds on Sunday.
Yep. I went Saturday and Sunday I was so excited. Check out the slideshow for other features that I thought were awesome.
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Whole Foods Market South End is located at 348 Harrison Avenue (phone 617-904-1000). Store hours are from 8am-10pm, 7 days a week. You can walk to the store via the Broadway stop on the red line, silver line or Tufts Medical Center stop on the orange line. Tweet and Instagram your visit to @WFM_SOUTHEND and like them on FACEBOOK, too!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Whole Foods Market via Burst Media. The opinions and text are all mine.