Potrero Whole Foods opens; Noe Valley next?
The 39,000 sq. ft. Whole Foods at 17th and Rhode Island officially opens Wednesday, so if you live or drive through the area, get ready for a real change in traffic patterns as hungry yuppies circle the block looking for parking. They have parking in the building, but if it’s like the chain’s other locations in the city, that won’t be enough.
Readers of the Noe Valley Voice were startled this month by an article that claims the chain is interested in taking over the Bell Market location in the center of the upscale neighborhood. The market, formerly part of a small locally run chain and currently being operated by the Ralph’s chain, is only half the size of the new WF markets, but it is certainly in the right yuppified location. Notice its listing on WF’s own new stores page (scroll to find “San Francisco (Noe Valley)”).
I live in Noe Valley. I saw that reference to a Whole Foods here a couple of months ago and have been hoping ever since that it would go away. I’m not looking forward to trips to the Market/Church Safeway simply to avoid paying Whole Foods’ prices.
The tone of your post paints Whole Foods shoppers as a horde latte-sipping stroller-pushing yuppies in SUVs. That’s really not the case (you can find that crowd at the bell market on 24th, thank you). Also, you can score some real good deals on a lot of the stuff they sell at WF — it’s only called “Whole Paycheck” if you buy all the prepared foods and $20 cheeses.
I live on the edge of Noe Valley and Castro and I would be so happy to finally have a gourmet grocery store nearby. The Ralph’s/Bell “market” on 24th simply sucks — and Whole Foods has better prices. And the WF employees have better tattoos, better pay, better benefits, higher job-satisfaction, and generally don’t weigh as much as people who work at safeway…
Paddy: But you’re so close to Birite! I have to hike up Nob Hill to get to Whole Foods.
This whole Noe valley thing reminds me of when they were playing with the idea of taking over Tower Records in the Castro.
I love bi-rite! They have everything I need, although rather pricey. But, really I am closer to bell (soon to be whole foods) and to delano’s IGA, which is more like cala/bell, unfortunately. Biking down to bi-rite is no problem; but pedaling back up Eureka to 21st with a load of groceries can be quite an effort.
The service at bi-rite is without equal at any grocery store.
The SCENE at bi-rite is without equal at any grocery store.
I’ve been in contact with the Whole Foods regional president on and off for about 3 years begging them to take over Bell. He told me that the space was too small for their expansion strategy. This rumor (about Whole Foods moving into Bell) was floated around in 2006 as well, and the Regional President said the rumor was flase. We’ll see what happens this time, the mention on their website is certainly a hopeful sign. Fingers crossed they have changed their minds and are moving in!
Two other things—I also begged Sam (from Bi-Rite) to move in, but the space was too big for them.
Also, no need to go to the Market Street Safeway….there is another Safeway right at the top of Diamond, about 8 blocks from Bell Market. The 35 stops right in front of the store.
I am in FULL agreement with the previous poster who so eloquently stated that Bell “simply sucks.”