St. Paul welcomed a brand-new, significantly larger Whole Foods Market, marking an exciting chapter for grocery shopping in the city. The relocated store, boasting 45,231 square feet, opened its doors to enthusiastic residents this morning, drawing over 600 eager shoppers to its Grand Opening Celebration. This expansion from the previous location just around the corner promises an enhanced and more comprehensive shopping experience for everyone in St. Paul and beyond.
Andrew Kartak, Store Team Leader for Whole Foods Market St. Paul, expressed his excitement: “We are thrilled so many could celebrate the next chapter of Whole Foods Market St. Paul. It is such a privilege to be a part of this amazing community, and we really hope they like all the new features found in the store.” The opening event was a testament to the community’s anticipation and the store’s commitment to serving the St. Paul area.
Shoppers at the grand opening were immediately impressed by the array of new and expanded offerings. A standout feature, and a first for Whole Foods Market in Minnesota, is the Selby Grill. This unique in-store dining experience boasts 12 rotating taps dedicated to local and hard-to-find beers. For the grand opening, local brewery Surly Brewing took over the taps, showcasing seasonal favorites and beloved brews like Cacao Bender and Darkness 2015 Barrel-Aged Russian imperial stout. This focus on local craft beer elevates the shopping experience, making Whole Foods Market St. Paul a destination for both food and beverage enthusiasts.
The Selby Grill’s menu extends beyond beverages, offering a diverse selection of made-to-order breakfast items, gourmet burgers, Wisconsin cheese curds, loaded tater tot nachos, classic french fries, poutine, and flavorful po’boy sandwiches with chicken or fish. Beyond the grill, the new Whole Foods St Paul location features house-smoked sandwiches, authentic Neapolitan-style pizza, a hot food bar with diverse options, a fresh salad bar, an olive and pickle bar, and expertly prepared sushi. For those on the go, a wide selection of grab-and-go meals and sides caters to breakfast, lunch, and dinner needs.
For coffee aficionados, the Capital Café is another highlight, serving a range of light, medium, and dark roasted coffees, rich espresso drinks, refreshing blended beverages, and cold brew on tap. Adding to the innovative features, the Juice Bar, another Minnesota first for Whole Foods Market, provides fresh pressed juices and smoothies made with ripe, seasonal fruits and vegetables. This commitment to freshness and customization enhances the health-focused offerings at whole foods st paul.
Sweet treats are also abundant, with 12 gelato and sorbet flavors, freshly made sushi, and an impressive assortment of over 50 cookie varieties. Whether you are craving a refreshing gelato on a warm day or a comforting cookie, Whole Foods Market St. Paul offers a delightful selection.
As a comprehensive grocer, Whole Foods Market St. Paul is designed to cater to all levels of food explorers. The store features a wide variety of custom-cut meats, organic and locally sourced produce, and all the pantry staples needed to stock any kitchen.
The meat department prides itself on quality and ethical sourcing. Classically trained butchers and meat cutters prepare in-house beef, pork, chicken, and turkey from farms certified by the Global Animal Partnership’s 5-Step Animal Welfare Rating program. Unique in-house made sausages, including chorizo, Andouille, Italian, spicy Italian, buffalo blue cheese, and a signature St. Paul brat with jalapenos and cheddar cheese, offer exciting flavor profiles. Bacon lovers will appreciate the in-house smoked sweet and spicy bacon blends, such as sweet heat, jalapeno, savory, maple, and apple cinnamon.
The seafood department at whole foods st paul offers a variety of wild-caught and responsibly farmed seafood, including in-house smoked options like smoked salmon candy, smoked salmon salads, and smoked lobster tails. Whole Foods Market is known for its stringent seafood quality standards, ensuring customers can make environmentally conscious choices when purchasing seafood from local and global sources.
The scratch bakery at Whole Foods Market St. Paul utilizes high-quality ingredients that meet Whole Foods Market’s standards, including fresh natural butters and creams, and unbleached, unbromated flours for their daily creations of breads and pastries. The cheese department is a true culinary destination, showcasing over 150 specialty cheeses, all free from artificial additives, sweeteners, colorings, preservatives, and hydrogenated oils.
Aligning with its reputation as “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store,” Whole Foods Market St. Paul introduces the first brick-and-mortar presence in Minnesota for the popular online cosmetic and facial care line, W3LL People. This expansion into health and beauty further solidifies Whole Foods Market’s commitment to holistic well-being.
The grand opening was marked by a “Bread-Breaking Ceremony,” a Whole Foods Market tradition, with Team Members, Councilman Dai Thao, and St. Paul neighbors participating in the celebration. The first 500 customers received Whole Foods Market Gift Cards with values ranging from $5 to $500, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.
Whole Foods Market St. Paul is committed to community engagement. During its opening week, the store launched “Days of Community Giving,” donating 1 percent of each day’s sales to five local schools: Randolph Heights Elementary, Linwood Monroe Elementary School, Four Seasons A+ Elementary School, Ramsey Middle School, and Central High School.
The store also continues the “One Dime at a Time” program, incentivizing customers to use reusable shopping bags. Customers can choose to receive a 10-cent per bag refund or donate it to a selected charity organization. Urban Roots is the first recipient at the new whole foods st paul location, benefiting from donations from March 16 to June 30.
With five other locations in Minnesota, including Minnetonka, Edina, Maple Grove, and two in Minneapolis, Whole Foods Market continues to expand its presence and commitment to providing high-quality, natural, and organic foods to communities across the state. The original Whole Foods Market St. Paul at 30 Fairview Avenue South closed permanently on Tuesday, March 15, after donating its remaining products to Second Harvest Heartland, ensuring food waste reduction and community support even in transition.
Visit the new Whole Foods Market St. Paul to experience the expanded offerings, community focus, and commitment to quality that defines the Whole Foods Market experience. Discover a food lover’s paradise right in the heart of St. Paul.
