• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Whole Foods Market(R) Opens First Store in Baton Rouge

Posted on: Wednesday, 20 July 2005, 12:01 CDT

AUSTIN, Texas, July 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Whole Foods Market(R) , the world's leading natural and organic foods supermarket, opened the doors of its Baton Rouge store July 20. The store at 7529 Corporate Boulevard at Jefferson Highway -- the company's first in Baton Rouge -- will provide residents with nearly 50,000 square feet of the freshest, highest quality foods in an atmosphere that transforms shopping from dull routine to a pleasurable, sensory experience.

"In Louisiana, we sometimes use the term 'envie,' which means a longing for something, usually food," said Jay Dalton, store team leader. "From the anticipation we've felt from the community, it's clear Baton Rouge has envie for our Whole Foods Market store. We can't wait to satisfy and delight our new shoppers with the best organic and natural products available combined with impeccable customer service."

The Baton Rouge store is Whole Foods Market's third Louisiana location, coming right after the opening of a new, similarly sized store May 18 in the New Orleans suburb of Metairie. Like the Metairie location, the Baton Rouge store caters to the region's rich Cajun and Creole culinary traditions while maintaining the company's strict commitment to carrying products free of artificial additives, sweeteners, colorings, preservatives and hydrogenated oils.

Three Gulf Coast favorites -- sausage, meats and seafood -- are prominent throughout the store. A 46-foot seafood counter offers fresh picks perfect for grilling or gumbo, and an in-house meat and seafood smoker will prepare any item to perfection on the spot. The store also features in-house handmade sausages, a dry-aged beef program, a cut-to-order charcuterie and an extensive oven-ready/grill-ready meat selection.

The terms "in-house" and "ready" are themes at the new Whole Foods Market. Every store department offers as much variety as a stand-alone specialty shop, with tempting treats ready to be plucked by busy shoppers on the go. Features include homemade gelato; a fresh nut roaster; in-house coffee roaster; brick hearth-fired pizza oven; a salad, soup and hot food bar and gourmet chef's case selections. Those choosing to linger a bit longer can enjoy a seafood, barbecue or pasta meal at one of three full-service, sit-down restaurants.

Even with an emphasis on convenient gourmet options, the heart of the Baton Rouge store is still firmly rooted in the basics, with a wide rainbow of the gorgeous hand-stacked produce that Whole Foods Market has become famous for throughout the U.S. A wide variety of artisanal cheeses beg to be paired with a crusty loaf of fresh-baked artisan bread, treats from the olive and antipasti bar and one of the store's hundreds of wine selections. And for dessert, the store provides pastries and cakes made fresh daily, homemade donuts and -- moving a bit beyond basics -- a chocolate enrobing fountain for dipping fresh fruits or cookies in chocolate.

The new Whole Foods Market also features a Whole Body department with a vast array of natural body and nutrition items including vitamins, supplements, herbs, homeopathic remedies, cosmetics and body care products. The store even has an esthetician on staff to help shoppers with their skin care needs. Shoppers can trust that all products carried have been proven safe using non-animal testing methods.

To celebrate the 10 a.m. opening of the Baton Rouge store, Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden joined Whole Foods Market representatives in breaking a large loaf of challah bread. Cajun and zydeco musicians and dancers added to the celebratory mood.

Other opening week festivities include a July 23 book signing by local celebrity chef and cookbook author Holly Clegg and a July 28 cooking class by local and internationally known chef John Folse.

Regular store hours will be 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. About Whole Foods Market

Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/ ) is the world's leading natural and organic foods supermarket and America's first national certified organic grocer. In fiscal year 2004, the company had sales of $3.9 billion and currently has more than 165 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The Whole Foods Market motto, "Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet"(TM) captures the company's mission to find success in customer satisfaction and wellness, employee excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Whole Foods Market, Harry's Farmers Market(R), and Fresh & Wild(R) are trademarks owned by Whole Foods Market IP, LP. Whole Foods Market employs more than 34,000 Team Members and has been ranked for eight consecutive years as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for" in America by Fortune magazine.

Contact: Scott Simons (scott.simons@wholefoods.com ) 512.422.5948 Erica Hess (erica@vollmerpr.com ) 512.472.3515

Whole Foods Market

CONTACT: Scott Simons of Whole Foods Market, +1-512-422-5948, orscott.simons@wholefoods.com ; or Erica Hess, +1-512-472-3515, orerica@vollmerpr.com , for Whole Foods Market

Web site: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/

Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall

More News in this Category