Atlanta marked a significant milestone in its vibrant food scene with the grand opening of Whole Foods Market Midtown, not just a new grocery store, but the 500th location for the renowned natural and organic foods retailer. Opening its doors on Friday, April 5th at 7 a.m., this flagship store, situated at 22 14th Street NW within the Icon Midtown development, promises to be more than just a place to shop; it’s designed as a community hub. Spanning 70,000 square feet across multiple levels, Whole Foods Market Midtown boasts four unique fast-casual eateries and showcases over 1,500 locally sourced items from 250 suppliers, many of whom are new to the Whole Foods Market family.
Bobby Turner, President of the South Region at Whole Foods Market, emphasized the community-centric vision for the new store. “Whole Foods Market Midtown is envisioned as a true gathering space for the community,” Turner stated. “Our aim was to craft a destination where neighbors can come together, savor exceptional food, and connect with the local community through an array of culinary, wellness, and cultural events. We are immensely proud that our new South Region flagship store has the distinction of being Whole Foods Market’s 500th store, a remarkable milestone for the company.”
A Culinary Journey: Exploring Midtown Atlanta’s Newest Eateries at Whole Foods
More than just a grocery store, Whole Foods Market Midtown elevates the shopping experience with a diverse food hall concept spread across four floors, offering four distinct fast-casual dining options. Each eatery features exclusive menus, carefully selected local beers and wines, and complimentary Wi-Fi, inviting customers to linger and connect.
Canopy Court: Rooftop Retreat with City Views
Ascend to Canopy Court, a unique rooftop terrace boasting breathtaking skyline views, stadium-style seating, games, and televisions. This open-air space provides a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy a rotating food truck menu alongside a curated selection of wines and local beers. Canopy Court’s hours will adjust seasonally, making it a perfect spot to unwind in Midtown Atlanta throughout the year.
14th Street Bar: Indoor Comfort and Outdoor Charm
The 14th Street Bar offers a sophisticated yet comfortable setting to enjoy a variety of wines, local beers, and refreshing soft drinks. Featuring a private outdoor dining balcony overlooking the bustling intersection of 14th Street and West Peachtree Street, it accommodates 28 guests outdoors and 111 indoors. A screened porch with cozy seating and heaters ensures year-round comfort. 14th Street Bar welcomes guests daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Capital Commons: Your Neighborhood Coffee and Gathering Spot
Capital Commons, a full-service Allegro coffee and espresso bar, is designed as a warm and inviting space for friends and neighbors to connect. Paying homage to its location in Georgia’s capital city, Capital Commons offers more than just coffee. Guests can indulge in wine, local beers, and delectable baked goods, including the famed handmade biscuits from Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit. Sandwiches and other light fare are also available. With seating for 60 indoors, Capital Commons is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, making it the perfect spot for a morning coffee or evening treat at Whole Foods Midtown.
Farm Burger: Local and Sustainable Burgers Come to Midtown
Joining the “Friends of Whole Foods Market” program, Farm Burger brings its commitment to locally sourced, sustainable ingredients to Whole Foods Market Midtown. Focusing on 100% locally sourced grass-fed, grass-finished beef burgers, Farm Burger’s menu also features chicken burgers, vegan options, farm-fresh salads, and a kids’ menu. A selection of beers on tap complements the menu. Farm Burger opened in early summer 2019 with daily operating hours from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., offering seating for 86 indoors and 28 outdoors.
Discover Local Products and Unique Features at Whole Foods Midtown
Whole Foods Market Midtown is committed to showcasing the best of Atlanta and Georgia’s local producers. Beyond the eateries, the store is filled with unique features and a vast selection of natural and organic grocery items, all adhering to Whole Foods Market’s stringent quality standards.
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Prepared Foods Paradise: Explore hot and cold prepared food bars featuring seasonal dishes and options for various dietary needs. Customizable bars include avocado toast and lettuce wraps, alongside a skillet bar with Southern favorites like fried chicken and fish. A salad bar, soup selections, self-serve pizza, sushi from Genji, a sandwich station, rotisserie chickens, plant-based grain bowls, and rotating culinary pop-up stations offer endless meal options.
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Beverage Bonanza: Discover an extensive selection of over 100 beers and 1,000 wines, with a strong emphasis on local producers, featuring offerings from 44 breweries and wineries in the region.
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Bulk Up on Goodness: Find 150 bins of bulk scoop items, including candies, beans, grains, dried herbs, and spices, with local supplier Pure Bliss Organics providing granola selections.
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dtox juice Bar: Atlanta-based dtox juice bar offers made-to-order smoothies, juice shots, cold-pressed blends, and açaí bowls for a healthy boost.
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European Floral Elegance: A European-inspired floral shop provides a unique assortment of single stem flowers, roses exclusive to Whole Foods Market, and custom floral arrangements for all occasions.
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Fresh Produce Innovation: The produce department showcases seasonal fruits and vegetables, selections from regional growers, and an in-store “fruit and vegetable butcher” for customized cuts.
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Natural Beauty and Body Care: The beauty and body care department features locally made products and a Pacha Soap Co. boutique offering natural bath essentials.
Exclusive local product highlights curated for Whole Foods Market Midtown include banana pudding from Malvi Mallow, Midtown Magic blend from Beautiful Briny Sea, Peach Praline from King of Pops, specialty blends from BRASH Coffee Roasters, and Cucumber Lemonade from Arden’s Garden. Meat, seafood, grocery, and bakery departments complete the comprehensive shopping experience.
Grand Opening Celebrations and Community Engagement
The opening of Whole Foods Market Midtown was marked by celebratory events, beginning at 6:00 a.m. with complimentary coffee from a local supplier, pastries, and live music. The first 500 customers received a special Whole Foods Market Midtown canvas tote bag. Gift cards valued between $5 and $100 were given to the first 150 customers on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
On opening day, customers participated in a “Cycle for a Nonprofit” event, with Whole Foods Market donating to the Center for Puppetry Arts for every 5 minutes cycled. Throughout the day, live music and product sampling, including a meet-the-maker event with local suppliers, engaged shoppers.
Demonstrating its commitment to the community, five percent of the store’s net sales on Thursday, April 18th were donated to Food Well Alliance, supporting local urban agriculture in Atlanta.
Whole Foods Market Midtown employs approximately 350 team members and operates daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. This flagship store joins 11 other Whole Foods Market locations in the Atlanta metropolitan area, further solidifying the brand’s presence in the region.
For more information, visit https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/midtownatlanta. Discover the unique experience that awaits at Whole Foods Market Midtown, your new community destination for exceptional food and local flavors.
