Wild Oats Set to Unveil Latest Prototype in Tampa

Boulder, Colo.-based natural and organic foods chain Wild Oats Markets, Inc. announced its latest prototype. It will offer its signature perishables, extensive organic and natural product selections and energy-conserving equipment, according to an article in Progressive Grocer. The 37,000-square-foot store located in Walters Crossing in Tampa, Fla.. is set to open April 5, 2006.

Based on extensive customer research, the new store will offer a layout and design that is "fun, friendly, and educational," and represents the new Wild Oats prototype, the retailer said.

According to the article, the Tampa Wild Oats grocery aisles are being filled with more than 7,000 products and 2,000 brands of all-natural, organic and epicurean grocery, dairy and frozen food items.

With more than 4,500 square feet of devoted space, the store's produce department will offer more than 200 fresh organic produce items. Additionally, the store will feature a vast selection of fresh fruits and vegetables grown by local and regional farmers. Customers will also discover exotic and hard-to-find produce items, including more than 15 varieties of tropical fruits, 13 types of lettuce and 14 kinds of fresh tomatoes, from Roma to vine ripened.

Staffed by trained butchers, the store's Fresh Meat and Seafood Department will feature fresh fish delivered daily and 100 varieties of fresh meat and poultry products. Wild Oats features meat and poultry raised without the use of antibiotics, growth hormones or feed containing animal byproducts. Customers can dine in (with indoor and outdoor cafe seating) or take out fully prepared, healthy meals from a large selection of salads, sandwiches, entrees, side dishes, pizzas, sushi and smoothies prepared fresh daily or made to order in the Wild Cafe and Juice and Java Bar.

The new store will also have a state-of-the-art Holistic Health Center. The expansive Holistic Health Center will feature more than 5,000 vitamins, supplements, minerals and homeopathic remedies.

Wild Oats will celebrate the opening with a "Preview Party" on April 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. The Preview Party will feature a special appearance, cooking demonstration and book signing by Tyler Florence, celebrity chef and star of Food Network TV. The evening will be filled with samples, music and entertainment, caricature artists and face painting, raffles, door prizes and more.