The question of whether Willits has a natural foods grocery store can be answered with a resounding yes. Willits Town Center in Basalt, Colorado became home to a Whole Foods Market, bringing a much-anticipated natural and organic foods grocer to the Roaring Fork Valley. This development marked a significant addition to the area, catering to the growing demand for health-conscious and specialty food options.
The arrival of Whole Foods in Willits created excitement among residents who previously had to travel to Denver to access the store’s offerings. Cathy Cochran-Lewis, the Rocky Mountain regional marketing director for Whole Foods, acknowledged the vocal demand from valley residents, which played a key role in the company’s decision to establish a location in Basalt.
Willits founder Michael Lipkin recognized the importance of securing a specialty grocer for the town center. After gaining approval to construct commercial space and residential units, Lipkin prioritized attracting a tenant like Whole Foods to meet the needs and desires of the community.
The Basalt town government also welcomed the arrival of Whole Foods. Mayor Leroy Duroux highlighted the supermarket’s potential to stimulate further development in the Willits commercial core. Town manager Bill Efting noted the overwhelmingly positive sentiment associated with Whole Foods, suggesting that it transcended typical debates surrounding growth.
While Whole Foods primarily operates in metropolitan areas, the Roaring Fork Valley presented a unique opportunity due to its demographics and demand. The company considered factors such as household income, retail spending habits, and education levels when evaluating the location. Pamela Brady Ferrara, a retail leasing agent for Joseph Freed and Associates, emphasized the significant retail spending and high average household income within a 20-mile radius, making the area an attractive market for Whole Foods.
The Whole Foods store in Willits occupied the ground floor of a building that included affordable housing condominiums on the upper floors. The development also featured an underground parking garage and a screened parking lot. This integrated approach aimed to create a convenient and accessible shopping experience for residents and visitors alike.
The establishment of Whole Foods in Willits not only provided access to natural and organic foods but also contributed to the local economy. The store employed approximately 150 workers, creating job opportunities within the community. The addition of a major supermarket also boosted the town’s sales tax revenues, benefiting the overall financial health of Basalt.
In conclusion, Willits indeed has a natural foods grocery store in the form of Whole Foods Market. The store’s presence addresses the demand for health-conscious food options, stimulates economic growth, and enhances the overall quality of life for residents in the Roaring Fork Valley. While other grocery options exist nearby, Whole Foods offers a specific selection of natural and organic products that cater to a particular segment of the market.
