Whole Foods Market (Columbia, Charleston, Greenville: buy, organic, live)

[davey123]

Do people think that there should be a Whole Foods Market in Columbia? There's one in Charleston and in Greenville, but I personally think that there needs to be one in Columbia also. Given that the Northeast is expanding, that would be a perfect location for a Whole Foods Market (somewhere near the Village at Sandhills). I know that we have Earth Fare, Fresh Market, and Rosewood Market, but these stores are far from being the equivalent to Whole Foods. How do I go about lobbying for a Whole Foods Market in Columbia?

[waccamatt]

I don't think it matters, to be honest with you. I shop either at Publix or at Rosewood Market and sometimes at Fresh Market. I prefer Fresh Market to Whole Foods, but a Trader Joe's in the Vista or Five Points/Shandon would get a lot of my business. Don't forget about the Gourmet Shop in Five Points and Cloud Nine in the Vista, also, when you're looking for special upscale items. I will always support locally owned stores whenever possible.

[Buckeye in SC]

I second waccamatt's opinion that I'd rather see a Trader Joe's before a Whole Foods come to the area. However, I think you are right davey that the northeast might be ready for that type of store whether it be whole foods or Trader Joe's or another local establishment such as Fresh Market as that area doesn't really have a store like that that I know of while it has every major grocery store in the area (Publix, Kroger, BiLo, Pig & Food Lion) already.

[davey123]

I appreciate both of your responses. I did suggest a store being put in the Northeast because there are no health food stores in that area. Also, when you look at the Northeast, they really have all the major chain restaurants and all the chain stores there. So, it makes sense that they would have the most dominant of the health food stores located there as well. Plus, there is just so much room to build a new store in the Northeast.

I would also argue that a Trader Joe's should also be in Columbia. I mean, Columbia is large enough to have both a Trader Joe's and Whole Food Market, in addition to the other health food stores that are already here.

I am in support of local stores. However, whenever I go to a store like Target, or eat a place like O'Charleys, I realize that I do like the flexibility of having large chain stores around also. Whole Foods Market is a chain. But, it is also a VERY high quality health food store, with the largest selection of products (in my opinion, it is much better than even a Trader Joe's - albeit, more expensive).

I will admit that if a Whole Foods Market were built in Columbia, I would choose it over the other health food stores. However, I'm sure that others would not. It would be nice to have that choice though.

[Skyliner]

Whole Foods Market is much larger than The Fresh Market, and in my opinion much better quality overall. I love the cosmopolitan feel and look of the one in Greenville. It has an incredible array of various food bars (making it a great place to dine inside or outside on the patio), not to mention a large selection of natural healthcare products. I have enjoyed their vast selection of all natural juices as well, and the prices are often better than those at other supermarkets around town.

I should also mention that they offer a full calendar of fascinating events at the store and give support to local farmers in multiple ways.

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Speaking as someone who lives mere blocks from a Whole Foods now, but will be moving to Columbia soon, I could care less if they ever get a whole foods. I'd rather find ways to shop legitimately locally and organic than overpay at whole foods for items that are ostensibly organic, but, in reality, as much clever marketing as healthy food.

Whole Foods is fine, but, in the end, just another big business that siphons money away from a community.

Also, Skyliner mentions them offering support to local farmers in multiple ways. Farmers only need support in one way. Buy their products. Since Whole Foods is a national chain, it generally uses a traditional "big grocery store" distribution model. That means the smaller local farmers get sidestepped in favor of "big organic".

[sandlapper]

If I had to have a Whole Foods or Trader Joes I'd go with Trader Joes its a pretty cool place.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by CarolinaBredChicagoan

Speaking as someone who lives mere blocks from a Whole Foods now, but will be moving to Columbia soon, I could care less if they ever get a whole foods. I'd rather find ways to shop legitimately locally and organic than overpay at whole foods for items that are ostensibly organic, but, in reality, as much clever marketing as healthy food.

Whole Foods is fine, but, in the end, just another big business that siphons money away from a community.

Also, Skyliner mentions them offering support to local farmers in multiple ways. Farmers only need support in one way. Buy their products. Since Whole Foods is a national chain, it generally uses a traditional "big grocery store" distribution model. That means the smaller local farmers get sidestepped in favor of "big organic".

I think you would like Rosewood Market on Rosewood Drive. I love shopping there for organic and healthy treats and it is locally owned. They also have a large selection of prepared foods and I always run into people I know there.

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Originally Posted by waccamatt

I think you would like Rosewood Market on Rosewood Drive. I love shopping there for organic and healthy treats and it is locally owned. They also have a large selection of prepared foods and I always run into people I know there.

Thanks for the tip! I welcome any and all tips for getting fresh, local food.

[gsupstate]

Originally Posted by CarolinaBredChicagoan

Also, Skyliner mentions them offering support to local farmers in multiple ways. Farmers only need support in one way. Buy their products. Since Whole Foods is a national chain, it generally uses a traditional "big grocery store" distribution model. That means the smaller local farmers get sidestepped in favor of "big organic".

Not exactly correct. Each Whole Foods store DOES purchase from local organic farms. In fact, a couple of times a year, Whole Foods provides a map where you can take a weekend driving trip to each of the organic farms / dairies / etc in your specific. We did it last May. Cool event. Very "Top Chef" in attitude, with each farm setting up picnic tables and serving food/wine, etc.
Not only does Whole Foods buy from local organic farms, their purchases have actually helped grow the organic farm / dairy industry in the Upstate. Happy Cow Creamery comes to mind.