Downtown Los Angeles welcomed a vibrant addition to its culinary scene with the opening of Whole Foods Market on Wednesday, November 4, 2015. Strategically located at the corner of 8th Street and Grand Avenue, this expansive store quickly became a go-to destination for residents, professionals, and businesses seeking high-quality whole foods in Los Angeles. Nestled beneath the Eighth & Grand residences, the 41,000-square-foot retail space was meticulously designed to cater to the diverse needs of the downtown community, offering a unique blend of shopping, dining, and entertainment. Operating daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Whole Foods Market Los Angeles Downtown has established itself as a cornerstone of healthy and convenient living in the heart of the city.
This Whole Foods Market location is more than just a grocery store; it’s a culinary haven. It boasts an impressive array of features designed to enhance the shopping experience. Among the highlights are a fresh juice bar for health-conscious individuals, a poke station serving up delicious and customizable bowls, and an extensive selection of vegan options throughout every department, ensuring that plant-based eaters have plenty to choose from. Coffee aficionados can rejoice at the dedicated coffee bar, complete with cold brew on tap for that perfect caffeine fix. Wine lovers will be delighted by the selection of over 1,000 hand-picked wines, catering to every palate and occasion. For added convenience, home delivery is available through Instacart, bringing whole foods directly to your doorstep in Los Angeles. And for those looking to unwind and dine in, The Eight Bar offers a full bar and restaurant experience within the store itself. This location truly caters to health enthusiasts, dedicated foodies, and anyone seeking convenient access to high-quality, natural products free from artificial additives.
Patrick Bradley, President of Whole Foods Market’s Southern Pacific Region, emphasized the store’s commitment to variety and inclusivity. “This store was designed to provide an eclectic mix of the best ingredients and foods available for shoppers of all diets and lifestyles,” Bradley stated. He highlighted the diverse offerings, from prepared foods perfect for busy professionals, including self-service pizza and vegan and paleo options, to The Eight Bar as an affordable downtown Los Angeles destination for happy hour or brunch. The thoughtfully curated selection extends to smaller cuts of meat and fish, ideal for individuals or smaller households. This Whole Foods Market in Los Angeles truly offers something unique for everyone who walks through its doors.
The grand opening event itself was a celebration of community and local flavors. Following a traditional “bread breaking” ceremony with team members and city officials, the doors opened to eager shoppers. Attendees were treated to complimentary samples and giveaways from local downtown Los Angeles businesses like Cabo Chips, allowing them to discover the diverse tastes of the neighborhood. Food and beverage demonstrations, live entertainment, and a photo booth added to the festive atmosphere, making the opening day a memorable experience for all.
Reflecting the vibrant culture and rich history of downtown Los Angeles, this Whole Foods Market incorporates local elements throughout its design and offerings. Inspired by DTLA street vendors, the meat department features bacon-wrapped hot dogs with onions and peppers, a nod to local street food. The spirits aisle showcases local Angel City brews and spirits from GreenBar Distillery, a pioneering Los Angeles distillery specializing in organic spirits since prohibition. The store’s décor further embraces the local aesthetic, emulating the art deco style prevalent in historic downtown Los Angeles buildings, but with a modern and contemporary twist, creating a shopping environment that is both familiar and fresh.
In the grocery aisles, convenience meets variety. Shoppers can easily grab cold-brew coffee to go and explore downtown Los Angeles’ largest bulk section, stocked with nuts, beans, and grains for those who prefer to buy in quantity. The produce department is a colorful display of fresh options, including chile lime fruit cups and three varieties of fresh-pressed pomegranate juice. The prepared foods section features a seasonal menu that evolves with the flavors of fall, including dishes like pomegranate glazed game hens, ginger glazed salmon, paleo candied kabocha squash, and grassfed meatloaf, alongside porquetta and creative porquetta sandwiches. Vegetarian options are equally enticing, with standout choices like the DTLA buffalo cauliflower grinder with vegan kite hill chive spread and a cauliflower and three cheese melt, demonstrating a commitment to catering to diverse dietary preferences within the Los Angeles community.
The Eight Bar elevates the dining experience within Whole Foods Market Los Angeles Downtown. With a rotating seasonal menu and over 200 indoor and outdoor seats, it serves as a true extension of downtown’s thriving restaurant scene. The menu features daily specials, an impressive 36 beverages on tap, a dedicated brunch menu, and craft cocktails like the “City of Angels,” “Urban Garden,” and “Griffith,” all crafted with local and organic ingredients whenever possible. A unique offering is the “boozy gelato,” created by Nancy Silverton and L.A. Creamery exclusively for The Eight Bar, with enticing flavors like bourbon, chocolate whisky, pina colada, and rum raisin, providing a sweet and spirited treat.
Beyond the extensive food and beverage offerings, Whole Foods Market Los Angeles Downtown provides practical amenities to enhance the shopping experience. Over 170 parking spaces are available, along with a dedicated bike lock-up section in the parking structure, encouraging various modes of transportation. Free Wi-Fi is accessible in seating areas throughout the store, allowing shoppers to stay connected. The interactive “Vinyl Lounge” offers a unique hangout spot, complete with vinyl records and locally made accessories such as wooden postcards, candles, and handmade items from Made by DWC, supporting local artisans and community initiatives.
As part of Whole Foods Market’s commitment to community engagement, the Downtown Los Angeles store has partnered with local organizations. Hope Street Family Center received 5 percent of the store’s net sales on November 12, demonstrating immediate community support. A Place Called Home was also named as the store’s Feed Four More recipient, further solidifying Whole Foods Market’s dedication to giving back to the neighborhoods it serves in Los Angeles.
Store Highlights in Detail:
Home delivery: Recognizing the fast-paced lifestyle of downtown Los Angeles, this location features a dedicated Instacart register and on-site storage for efficient home delivery and personal shopping services. Customers can enjoy the convenience of having whole foods delivered directly, with the first Instacart delivery being offered free of charge.
Prepared Foods: The heart of the store lies in its in-house kitchen, where Whole Foods Market chefs create a wide array of handmade options. From whole pizzas and pizza by the slice (including a unique stout-crust pizza!) to made-to-order sushi, in-house chips, and custom-made sandwiches and meals-on-the-go, there’s something for every craving. A large rotating hot bar, an organic salad bar, daily breakfast options, eleven soup wells, and global cuisine selections like jambalaya and paella, all made on-site, offer incredible variety. Catering services are available for office events and home entertaining needs. The charcuterie and deli meats, many made and roasted in-house using organic, local, and grass-fed options, are free of added synthetic nitrates and nitrites. The selection includes an exclusive Cotto Ham from Creminelli, step-rated and Non-GMO Project-verified. Locally sourced ingredients are prioritized, including Mary’s Chicken from Sanger, California, and salad greens from Kenter Canyon. All prepared foods meet the same high standards as every product sold within Whole Foods Market.
Coffee Bar: Designed with a keen eye for aesthetics and quality, the coffee bar features an Italian-crafted espresso machine and cold brew coffee on tap. Custom espresso drinks and hand-brewed coffee are made with organic, fair trade, and Whole Trade Guarantee™ coffee beans. Featuring Stumptown Signature DTLA blend on drip, shoppers can also choose from three rotating single-origin coffees and select from various brewing methods, including Hario V60 Pour Over, Chemex Pour Over, and French Press, ensuring a perfect cup for every preference.
Juice & Smoothie Bar: For those seeking a healthy boost, the smoothie and juice bar offers made-to-order smoothies with a wide choice of toppings, fresh juices, and “boost-ups” like pressed ginger, turmeric, and wheatgrass, providing customizable and nutritious options.
Produce: The produce department is a celebration of freshness and local sourcing. It features an extensive selection of organic fruits and vegetables from Southern California growers, including Kenter Canyon, Be Wise, and Valpredo Farms. Highlights include organic dragon fruit from Greenleaf Nursery of Bonsall and orchids from Formosa Orchids. Seasonal culinary selections bring varietal and exotic items from around the world to Los Angeles. For convenience, cut fruit, vegetables, veggie pasta noodles, salsas, and guacamole are made in-store daily, ensuring peak freshness and flavor.
In-Store Bakery: Indulge in freshly baked goods from the in-store bakery. Offering Whole Foods Market’s first Non-GMO Project-verified cookies, with 10 to 15 varieties baked in-house, alongside artisan, hand-kneaded, hand-shaped, scratch bread made with a 20-year-old living starter, unbleached flour, and without artificial preservatives or hydrogenated fats. Raw and vegan desserts are made in-house, and local gluten-free desserts from Hana and pan dulce from La Reina add to the diverse and delightful bakery offerings.
Seafood: Seafood lovers can enjoy made-to-order poke and hand-sliced smoked salmon daily. The department prioritizes sustainably sourced fresh fillets, steaks, and local and seasonal seafood, with deliveries up to six days a week. Local items, weather permitting, include black cod and Pacific Gold oysters from Morro Bay, California, sea urchin, and Luna oysters, showcasing the best of the Pacific coast.
Meat: The meat department is staffed with knowledgeable butchers ready to provide custom cuts and sizes of the highest quality meats. Animals are raised without the use of antibiotics and added hormones. All beef, chicken, and pork are step-rated using Global Animal Partnership’s 5-Step Animal Welfare rating system and adhere to Whole Foods Market’s stringent quality standards. The store features full lines of 100 percent grass-fed organic beef and organic chicken. Smokehouse offerings include rotating daily specials, marinated and ready-to-cook meat and poultry, providing convenient and flavorful meal solutions.
Whole Body: Focusing on wellness from the inside out, the Whole Body department boasts a large “active living” selection of protein powders, supplements, and clothing. This includes a Los Angeles-based line of organic cotton and flax clothing made by Relax LA exclusively for Whole Foods Market. All supplements sold at Whole Foods Market are free of artificial colors, flavors, and hydrogenated oils. Products with the “Premium Body Care” seal meet the strictest standards for quality sourcing, environmental impact, results, and safety, ensuring conscious and effective personal care choices.
Specialty (beer, wine, cheese): Explore a curated collection in the specialty department. Featuring a hand-picked wine collection of over 1,000 wines, with eco-friendly and biodynamic options starting at accessible prices. Over 100 bottles are priced under $10, alongside a varied selection of hard-to-find, special-occasion wines and grower champagnes. The department also includes 36 feet of chilled beer with an assortment of local craft beers, domestic favorites, and unique imports. A comprehensive selection of raw, grass-fed, farmstead, and artisanal cheeses can be cut to order and sampled at any time, offering a true sensory exploration of flavors.
Grocery: Discover items exclusive to this Whole Foods Market location, such as Cabo Tortillas in three flavors, East L.A. Elote Cantina Tortilla Chips, Tava Life Gourmet Ghees, and Wildbrine Kimchi Tonics, highlighting local and unique producers. Customers can also find hundreds of 365 Everyday Value™ products, locally made packaged goods, frozen meals, Whole Paws pet food products, and home and cleaning products bearing the Eco-Scale label, indicating environmental impact. The bulk section offers a wide variety of grains, flours, nuts, spices, and candies available by the pound. Shoppers who purchase a case of any product in the store receive a 10 percent discount, encouraging stocking up on favorite whole foods.
For more information on upcoming events and activities at Whole Foods Market Los Angeles Downtown, visit their store website or follow them on social media. This Whole Foods Market is not just a store; it’s a culinary destination and community hub for whole foods enthusiasts in Los Angeles.
