Interbay Whole Foods to open in one week

Geeky Swedes Ballard

The Interbay Whole Foods will open one week from today, October 13th, a day earlier than originally announced. “Yes we are opening one day early as we are so organized!” said PR representative Vicki Foley.

As you can see from this picture, the store looks pretty much ready to go. The shelves are stocked and everything seems to be in place. Whole Foods announced in January that the store in the Interbay Retail Center on 15th Ave West would open in December but they moved up the timeframe.

Our sister site, Magnolia Voice was the first to report last September that the project at Interbay was stopped when the developer filed suit against Whole Foods for breaching the lease. The original opening was set for last Thanksgiving. Peet’s Coffee, Subway and a dry cleaner have already opened. The Magic Dragon Chinese Eatery is set to open soon.

Geeky Swedes

The founders of My Ballard

101 thoughts to “Interbay Whole Foods to open in one week”

  3. yes, the store is all set to go…

    the shelves are well-stocked with over-priced items and there's not a union representative in sight.

  4. Then make your choice not to shop there. I am absolutely shopping at the new Whole Foods. My service experiences at the Ballard Market have been poor lately. I'm happy to shop somewhere where people are more motivated to provide good service. Plus, the 365 brand at Whole Foods is generally more affordable than the the prices at BM.

  6. I will be shopping there for the meats. Organic, grass fed, hormone and anti-biotic free hoved animals are to die for!

    Also I agree with SPG. What we need is a boycott matrix that can properly guide us through this crazy mixed up world of ours.

    Here's a start…..Albertsons=Mormons, Trader Joes=Corporate chain, QFC=Kroger(spooky interbay store), Safeway=Too much red and its creepy when they read your name off of the receipt, Thriftway=HighPrices, WholeFoods=NewAge Wolves dressed in wolves clothing

  7. After reading the WSJ Oped their CEO “wrote” on Heathcare, I will refuse to shop at any of their stores!

    If he wants to be a progressive beard for antiprogressive causes, he can take his goods elsewhere.

  8. I agree that Ballard Market does have higher prices than many items at WF. I primarily shop for specialty items (gluten and dairy free) and find they are almost always cheaper at WF than BM. And the service tends to be much better, in my opinion.

  9. I look forward to not shopping there. Authoring an anti healthcare bit in the WSJ echoing debunked myths made my decision easy.

  11. Did you know you can special order from Thundering Hooves?

    You have to meet them at Shilshole on Friday mornings – I think?

    but their meat is outstanding.

  13. I second the Thundering Hooves suggestion.

    We catered a wedding on the weekend using Thundering Hooves pork. It was a cut that they did by special order for us, and after an initial delivery issue they moved heaven and earth to make sure it arrived in plenty of time.

    The meat was sensational – clearly from a well-exercised and happy pig – and it was the hit of the wedding (second to the gorgeous bride, of course!).

    I highly recommend giving your meat custom to this family-run, local, eco-friendly and humane business, and they're nice people as well! They're way cheaper than Whole Foods and better quality, and the only challenge is getting organized to put your order in and pick up your meat (Friday morning at Shilshole or Saturday morning at Phinney Ridge). It's worth the extra effort!

    (Too gushing? Sorry – still high on delicious pork…)

  14. I did a price comparison about a year ago, similar to the ones they do at the Seattle Times. Whole Foods beat Ballard Market by an eye popping margin (QFC and FM were disturbingly high, except for wine). I love Ballard Market, but Whole Foods is much more innovative with it's prepared foods, the butchers at the Roosevelt Store are fabulous always willing to cut a special piece of meat or chicken for me,. That said, I think the vegetables at WF are not as good as Ballard Market and BM has killer short bread cookies.

    My feeling about the boycott is this: the CEO of WF has an obligation to his shareholders and keeping employee costs down is part of his job. Unfortunate, but true. People I know who work there love it and WF seems to have a high retention of employees. You have to acknowledge that the CEO had the genius to get on the organic bandwagon long before the huge mega-stores did, and he has a right to explain his ideas about health care, just as every American does. His political or policy opinions may not agree with me, but he is probably someone I would be willing to listen to, even if he is a little nuts (I am more disturbed by his weird trolling investor Internet sites bad mouthing Wild Oats before WF acquired them).

    Bottom line for me, in this economy, is where can I get quality food and service at the least cost.

  15. Ballard Market won't loose my business, anyway. I've never had an issue with the tellers or anyone else there. In fact, with one exception, the tellers are a lot less creepy than at Safeway.
    No doubt this Whole Foods will survive without me.

  17. Whole Foods was a hard habit to break, but I'm glad I did it. Boycotting only works if you actually boycott. Regardless of the CEO's explanation, it was clear to me that he didn't understand that progressives were his customer base.

  18. By progressives you mean the upper middle class, college educated, white professionals who can afford to shop at WH right?

  20. No, the typical WF shopper is a winger reactinary with a sense of entiltement. A meritocrat or a believer in corporatism type. Mussolini called fascism corporatism. He was quite right.

  21. Well Lanny Davis may have helped Mackey write this, but calling this the “CEO's responses to the WSJ piece” is incorrect. The WSJ piece carried Mackey’s name, his Whole Foods blog post is a version of his own work, and does not set him free from his own words, much of which are contained clean an unchanged word for word.

    It could be that Kackey was unaware of the WSJ’s edits to his work, but I think Mackey is smarter that that, and he probably saw a final draft before it went to print. As a business man Mackey is a nobody without Whole Foods, while his work might not be company policy, he involvement in this was because he could bring something reflective of a progressive lifestyle to the table.

    The WSJ uses their editorial page to help shape the world as they would like it to be, as so all news outlets. Mackey was picked by a coalition of industry lobbyists at a key moment to divide, conquer and confuse public opinion on healthcare.

    By choosing the prominent head of a store with a “progressive” image that supports a “progressive” lifestyle at this moment was done not only to inject bad policy favoring insurance companies over people, but it was done in way that was designed to confuse people as to what the progressive voice is. Had there not been such a harsh response to Mackey’s actions, the insufferable corporate media would have used him an example of how progressives really feel about healthcare.

    This is complex, but it is not subtle. As he was part of a group, Kackey probably did not have to work the WSJ much to get his piece printed, but I am sure he was well aware of how he was being used. Outside of Whole Foods John Mackey is a nobody, he was brought in because he could bring their image to the table, even if only defacto. Shame on him for trying to fool us.

    Were his piece honestly his own random thoughts on healthcare it would not bother me, and the WSJ would never have printed it.

  22. When they live in Seattle they are better known as DINOs. They are the reason we have lived under the blight of the GOP for 30 years and may well be the reason Obama will have one term only.

  28. Wow your post IS the perfect example of corporatism. BTW I looked it up Ytoo is right and ol Benito really did say it:

    “Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power.” – Benito Mussolini.

  30. I'm sorry, even with my PhD I'm not sure how my response was fascist? Or promoting fascism. Care to explain?

    I'm merely saying the WF CEO has just as much right to expound on his ideas as I do. And that he has a legal obligation to maximize profits for his shareholders (WF is a publicly traded company). That said, I may not agree with what he says or how he lives his life. But his stores offer less expensive better quality food than the other corporate owned mega-stores whose CEOs keep their opinions on social policy to themselves.

  31. Just got to say this…like so many other comments on this blog, I am stunned at how quickly everyone leaps to judge. And here I thought our community tried to be open to all sides! The labeling of people who shop at WF, Costco, Nordstroms, etc. is amazing. Ted Kennedy said it best, that none of us are stereotypes, each of us are unique and should not be judged based on individual moments or decisions.

    At least we've not devolved into screaming about dogs!

  35. There is actually a publication (I once saw it at the checkstand of a PCC…) called Boycott Quarterly.

    Apparently for those recreational boycotters, who quickly grow tired of the same old boycotts quarter after quarter…

  36. This whole discussion reminds of the Apple vs Microsoft discussion. Apple is “good” and “righteous” while Microsoft is “bad” and “deceptive”. When in fact they are both massively successful businesses raking in billions of dollars based on their adherents drinking the kool-aid being peddled by their respective marketing departments. Same with Whole Foods. People identify with the brand and tend to downplay all the skeletons in the closet. C'est La Vie!

  37. The whole complaining about people not being nice to each other in blog comments is just SO played out.

    This is a forum where people get to speak their mind a little more openly than they would in person, don't take it personally.

  41. I'm applying for a permit to raise cattle in my back yard (won't the sustainable and green mayoral candidates be for permitting that?). Along with my neighbor's chickens and my vegetable garden, I think I can avoid grocery stores or even the chic Ballard Market! Truly local. Then I can save enough money to pay for my self-employed massively expensive private insurance plan! Who-hoo! And oh, I forgot, the cow-pies will be my energy source, which if I burn enough of 'em I can send some electricity back out onto the grid…now if I can only figure out how to grow coffee beans in this climate.

    Now, let's see, Mac or PC? Hmmm, if I unplug my computer I can save sooo much time and energy!

  42. Don't forget the Whole Foods coupons in your Chinook Books. A lot of the local schools are selling Chinook books as a fundraiser. There are PCC, WF & Ballard Market coupons, the savings from which cover the cost of the Chinook books.

  47. Yep though at least the founder of Microsoft is trying to do some good in the world with the money he made. Remind me again Apple fans, how much money has the Steve Jobs foundation given away? Oh yeah, ZERO.

  49. Where the hell do you live? Seattle is DOMINATED by liberal democrats. Has been for some time. Don't be such a wuss and blame all of your problems on a political party that is actually non-existent in this community. Of course holding local politicians accountable isn't as much fun as blaming the GOP in general.

  50. People who inject their politics into every facet of their lives are terribly dull and predictable people. I can only imagine what their sex lives are like if they can't even shop without having political conniption fits.

  52. Shelterwood, don't bother with Sourrose. She probably has it out with her own reflection when there is no one else around to disagree with.

  53. For starters a decent butcher – something which is very hard to find in this area! A good cheese monger or wine expert who can give you decent recommendations is also a great thing to have. Not everyone wants to eat mediocre food all the time.

    Personally, I wish we had more specialty stores instead of relying on huge supermarkets for everything. That's one area where the French have the right idea – on one block you can find a bakery right next to a veggie stand right next to a cheese shop right next to a wine shop right next to a fish shop right next to a butcher. Each store specializing in one area and doing a great job at it instead of simply trying to be big and mediocre. It's also no more inconvenient than wandering the cavernous aisles of a huge supermarket. There are some great specialty stores in the area such as the Fresh Fish Company on 24th and 80th. The problem is they're spread out all over the place which makes it pretty inconvenient to do all your shopping there. Be nice if Tall Grass, Fresh Fish, Top Banana, etc. were all on the same block.

  55. My favorite thing about the award-winning “My Ballard” discussion board is that it is consistently hijacked by the same antisocial argumentative idiots. As Bark/Wag mentions, if you spent more time being productive in the real world, you might get somewhere in the real world.

    Blite – Good tip on the Chinook Book. I'll pick one up. Thank you for a productive helpful comment that benefits the readers of this board.

  56. My favorite thing about the award-winning “My Ballard” discussion board is that it is consistently hijacked by different lurkers who never add any productive comments to the discussion, but instead just lecture everyone else on how morally superior they are to all the argumentative idiots who actually participate in the discussions.

    Bark More – Thanks for the visual of people “injecting their politics” into…….well never mind.

  57. If you had macs you would have more time to do things away from the computer. You wouldn't be spending all that time waiting for it to boot, running virus and security patches, and rebooting. How do you guys live with those. I guess it is the backfire effect at work.

  64. I love Macs, so right you are! Let's see what else can I say that will piss off people…hmm….well Bill Gates is nice to donate money, in fact it's awesome, even though it is a very tiny fraction of what he “earns” (percentage-wise, I probably donate more to charities than he does). Perhaps Steve Jobs donates a lot of money to charitable causes also but does not advertise it so loudly. True philanthropists do not need to make a big deal out of it, and many donate anonymously or under a different name because they don't need the glory. Just sayin'. Umm…Whole foods is a corporate nightmare, I know many former employees. They have a lot of problems. I have shopped there, but haven't in a long time. I LOVE Trader Joes and when I started shopping there it was not a huge corporate place, it was a few stores in California. Yes, I'm old. I've heard only good things from employees, no complaints. I do NOT think the checkers at the Ballard Safeway on Market are creepy at all. They are super nice, helpful, and I count some of them to be my close acquaintances. Of course I'm a dog lovin, liberal, tattooed, gal pal of a freak myself, so therefore my opinion may or may not be considered valid…..hahaaaaaa

  67. I kind of like the imagery that “loose my business” conjured up. Nora Bell would enter through the front door of Ballard Market and let loose her business as if it were a pack of wild dogs.

  71. So WF shoppers are fascists? My, what angry little bubble you must play in; when you drive by a WF do you shake your fist and scream that 9/11 was an inside job?

  75. Maybe I just bring out the creepy in Safeway checkers. But I will state Trader Joe's rocks. That is affordable grocery shopping at it's very best.

  76. I personally will be boycotting! After reading the public letter in the New York Times from the CEO that we don't need insurance reform- we need to shop at Whole Foods, I was angry. Today, my dear friend, who has been in training for the opening at Interbay- thrilled with countless others to be working, was informed along with 19 others reporting for duty in uniforms they had to purchase, that the were all laid off due to budget cuts! “Please leave your chef coats and time out” were the managers final words! No thanks!

  77. I personally will be boycotting! After reading the public letter in the New York Times from the CEO that we don't need insurance reform- we need to shop at Whole Foods, I was angry. Today, my dear friend, who has been in training for the opening at Interbay- thrilled with countless others to be working, was informed along with 19 others reporting for duty in uniforms they had to purchase, that the were all laid off due to budget cuts! “Please leave your chef coats and time out” were the managers final words! No thanks!

  78. Personally I will be buying the yummy food and laughing my ass off at the turds with nothing better to do then talk about boycotts. Enjoy the evening in your hovel.

  80. I can't decide who I want to boycott more or with more vehemence….the oil companies or Whole Foods or Fred Meyer or the Ballard Bridge or Starbucks or The Gap or Salmon Bay Gravel or Seattle School District or Glenn Beck or David Letterman or Warren Haynes filling for Jerry Garcia in the latest live incarnation of “The Dead” last summer…..

  82. You idiot. You have no idea what you are talking about. Bill Gates donates a tiny percentage? He has donated over $30 billion to his foundation, making it the largest in the world. He plans to leave 99% of his estate to his foundation as well. His foundation is so well thought of that Warren Buffet is donating his wealth to it as well. Its hard to run the largest and most successful foundation in the world without making headlines, would you agree?

  84. Do you roll through every comment thread and shake your fist and call everyone a socialist?

    Isn't there a town hall forum somewhere for you to shout down?

  85. I believe the point is that we have options and some people choose to exercise that option when they don't like where their money goes. If you have the choice between giving a portion of your dollars spent to someone who actively works against your interests or someone who supports your community while getting essentially the same goods, why would you not make a choice?

  89. I do like that Bill has a foundation and that he and his wife are trying to do some good with it. Bravo. Seriously.

    The one thing that bugs me is that he gained a lot of that money from business practices that are constantly being criticized, like the use of contract workers to get around having to offer benefits. It just takes a little of the shine off the good deeds.

  90. Then go there and buy whatever you like. For those of us who are either pro union or who believe that everyone should be able to get decent health care that they can afford, we're less inclined to shop there and work against those interests.

  93. I'm not an idiot, but you are for calling me one. I didn't say he
    didn't donate a ton of money,
    I KNOW that he does. However it IS still a drop in the bucket for him.
    Fact. I did say how awesome
    it was that he does donate, or did you skip over that part. I was
    merely making the point that
    some people donate money and no one knows about it. YOU do not know
    what Steve Jobs does
    money wise, and neither do I, and it's a moot point anyway. What
    someone does with their
    money is not an indication of how good or bad their products are. And
    yes it's difficult to not
    make headlines when you are Bill Gates. Happy now?

  94. No, your still an idiot. You posted this garbage:

    …well Bill Gates is nice to donate money, in fact it's awesome, even though it is a very tiny fraction of what he “earns” (percentage-wise, I probably donate more to charities than he does)……

    you said its a very tiny fraction, when in fact its about 1/3 – 1/2 of his total net worth (depending upon MSFT stock price at any given time).. So unless you donate 1/3 to 1/2 of what you have, you should shut your pie hole.

  95. True about the contractor thing, though they did change that policy after they were sued. I admit that MSFT did/does some shrewd business practices that takes the shine off…

  96. Let's ratchet down the name calling please.
    On the subject of who's giving more let's look beyond total dollars. If Bill Gates makes $1.5 billion and gives away a billion he still has half a billion dollars to live off of. That's a lot of money to live on. If someone like KB who doesn't earn as much, let's say $50,000 and spends $45,000 a year just to make rent, eat, pay taxes, health insurance, keep their car running, put a little something away for retirement and then donates $3,000 to charities I'd say it's way more of an impact on their lifestyle than Bill Gates giving away billions.
    I'm not saying one is better than the other, just that the numbers can play in either direction so don't go jumping all over each other just to try to win a petty argument.

  97. Wow, Ballard Dude, “shut your pie hole” huh? Clearly you are a
    literate, clever, upstanding individual with a lot of good things to
    say! Oh wait, that would be someone else. You are making yourself look
    like an ass on here, but that's great,
    you must have a reason for doing so. Low self esteem need stoking?
    Well, that's ok, you won't get a rise out of me.
    obviously you like spending your time researching millionaire's
    doings, and spewing garbage out of your own mouth
    and/or fingers at people on this board, and most likely everywhere
    else in your life. Too bad. See, this is why
    I rarely ever even READ this board, let alone post on it, because
    when I do, no matter what it is I say or how i say
    it, I get slammed by bored, angry folks like you. So sad, but oh well,
    guess I'll just go back to ignoring the award
    winning My Ballard. Sorry Geeky Swedes! You do a good job yourselves
    but there's no accounting for the people
    who like to lurk and spew on here. Bye bye!

  98. Whole Foods pays for their employees health insurance.

    Their benefits plan is one of the best there is in the industry, and they are constantly ranked as one of the best companies to work for.

    Some of you people have such tunnel vision its unbelievable.

  99. Go back to giggling at pile of dog poop with a former President's picture sticking out it. That explains a lot.

    You are the one that spouted off about the Gate's Foundation without having ANY knowledge about it. So quit whining when you are called out on it.

    And I did get a rise out of you, thus your little tirade above.

    This forum is full of people who spout off things they have no idea about, and then complain when people call them out. You make comments, people comment back. That is the nature of a forum.

  101. WF pays 100% of the employee premium and after so many service hours they pay 100% of the spouse's premium. Not to mention they give you a $1300 flex card for all out of pocket expense for you and your spouse. They also pay a decent wage and give a generous amount of paid time off.

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