For Jersey City foodies, the wait has been long and frustrating. First came the announcement way back in 2019 that a Whole Foods would open at Washington Street and Christopher Columbus Drive. Then came the wait.
Windows were covered up, there were hints of construction inside. But with a secrecy that Robert Oppenheimer would admire, there was nothing. Hopes were recently raised when a large Whole Foods sign appeared. But it still seemed too good to be true. Foodies didn’t want to believe it was really happening, lest their hearts be broken.
But Foodie dreams do sometimes come true. Whole Foods announced today that its new 51,156-square-foot store, located in spaces formerly occupied by a Five Guys and the ill-fated bar called Hop Scotch, will open on Nov. 9, at 8 a.m.
According to Whole Foods, the design aesthetic is inspired by Jersey City’s love of art. “With graphics representing the Hudson River in the store’s backyard, a cool-toned color palette was also chosen to provide a sense of calm in the busy neighborhood.”
The new location’s product assortment features more than 1,000 local items from the Northeast, sourced with the help of John Lawson, Senior Local Forager for Whole Foods Market.
The grocer says that it will donate a refrigerated van to nourish.NJ through Whole Foods Market’s Nourishing Our Neighborhoods program, which was created to expand the capacity and capability for community-based food rescue organizations to move food from where it’s available to where it’s needed most.
The store will include a produce department with an array of certified organic and conventional items from more than 12 local farms; a specialty department “dedicated to celebrating” cheesemakers and artisan producers; a curated grocery section; a full-service seafood counter; a full-service meat counter, with butchers available to cut steaks and poultry to order.
Also on premises will be a prepared foods section featuring fresh sushi, hot and salad bars, rotisserie chicken, self-serve pizza and a chef’s case where customers can order “market plates” choosing from a variety of entrée and side options like salmon, roasted chicken and homestyle macaroni and cheese.
A bakery department will offer made-in-house bread and sweets. A Whole Body department will have a large assortment of wellness and beauty items.
The store will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on opening day. Regular store hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Opening morning, customers will get complimentary coffee and pastries. The first 300 customers in line will receive a limited-edition tote bag and a Secret Saver coupon featuring offers up to $100 off.
Amazon Prime members who shop at Whole Foods Market have access to a number of benefits year-round, including discounts on select popular products each week and an additional 10% off hundreds of in-store sale items. Grocery pickup is available. For more information and hours of operation, customers can visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/jerseycity.