Whole Foods Opens Manhattan Flagship

NEW YORK - Whole Foods Market today opened its new flagship store in Manhattan's new Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle. At 59,000 square feet, the store is billed as the largest supermarket in Manhattan.

Whole Foods is the anchor tenant in a 347,000-square-foot shopping area in the skyscraper. The store offers culinary treasures from the finest authentic artisans and renowned purveyors of produce, meat, seafood, cheese, coffee, and baked goods. All products are free of hydrogenated oils and artificial additives, preservatives, sweeteners, colorings, and flavors. A unique collection of offerings will be featured in the Columbus Circle store.

Features of the store include a 248-seat cafe where shoppers can enjoy restaurant-quality prepared foods while relaxing in a comfortable community setting; the popular Jamba Juice smoothie retailer, in its first New York City location, serving freshly blended-to-order fruit smoothies and juices; a full-service sushi bar by Genji Express, where customers can enjoy fresh-cut sushi wrapped in organic seaweed; a walk-in greenhouse showcasing fresh-cut and exotic flowers; a wine shop conveniently open to the public on Sunday and serving more than 700 varieties of wine from both large and small vineyards and family estates; and a chocolate-enrobing station in the bakery, where customers can request just about anything covered in chocolate.

"As the nation's leading retailer of natural and organic foods, we're thrilled to be a part of the innovative new Time Warner Center. Whole Foods Market is certain to become a true food destination in Manhattan," said David Lannon, president, Northeast Region. "We are passionate about naturally delicious food, and we bring our customers only the best products from local vendors and around the world. Our goal is to provide New Yorkers with an engaging shopping experience and to become an integral part of this truly unique community."

Additionally, Whole Body at Whole Foods Market will feature the largest selection of luxurious natural and organic body care items and cosmetics in New York City, as well as unadulterated nutritional supplements and vitamins. All products at Whole Body are made with the highest-quality natural ingredients and are free of harsh chemicals and unnecessary fillers. The Columbus Circle store will have added features, including a special Beauty Pod for ongoing makeovers and consultations with beauty experts; A Trial Bar, offering take-home samples of any personal care item in the department; a Soap Bar, featuring a variety of artisan and homemade pure soaps; and a "Made In New York" section spotlighting manufacturers from New York's own backyard.

"It is our goal to share our enthusiasm for the best-tasting, most nutritious foods available, and all the products we carry meet our strict quality standards; we go to extraordinary lengths to make sure our customers are satisfied," said John Marsh, Columbus Circle store team leader. "Our educated, attentive team members are always eager to help customers, and that service is also a key component in contributing to the Whole Foods Market shopping experience."

Whole Foods also operates a store in the Chelsea section of Manhattan and plans to open a third location in Union Square, housed in a former Bradlees discount department store, later this year.