Whole Foods Altamonte Springs Grand opening Jan 20, 2016 (Orlando, Winter Park: lease, tenant)

[ChristinaN]

Its a beautiful store! I went in yesterday and it was pretty busy but not too bad! Definitely much bigger and more convenient than the one on Aloma. The entire plaza is really coming along... Looking forward to the opening of Sports Authority; however, I'm much more excited about the Nordstrom Rack store which will be opening next to the new WFM in Winter Park. :-)

[VTGal]

Originally Posted by ChristinaN

however, I'm much more excited about the Nordstrom Rack store which will be opening next to the new WFM in Winter Park. :-)

First I'm hearing of this, that is exciting news!

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by VTGal

I went this morning for the first time. Maybe a handful of shoppers, I was kind of surprised since TJ's in Winter Park was packed for a few weeks after opening. Not complaining, because it was a very pleasant experience.

A lot of people still don't know it's open and it all happened kind of quietly without any local marketing that I've seen anyway. Also the construction in/around the store has shielded it a bit from traffic passing by. Once that's all completed it's going to be a busy place I think.

[VTGal]

That makes sense and it is set off from the road

[boy3365]

Originally Posted by VTGal

I went this morning for the first time. Maybe a handful of shoppers, I was kind of surprised since TJ's in Winter Park was packed for a few weeks after opening. Not complaining, because it was a very pleasant experience.

Originally Posted by kyle19125

A lot of people still don't know it's open and it all happened kind of quietly without any local marketing that I've seen anyway. Also the construction in/around the store has shielded it a bit from traffic passing by. Once that's all completed it's going to be a busy place I think.

Trader Joe's Winter Park was also the first store in the area. That probably explains why it was unbearably crowded the first few weeks.

[Pocker14]

VTGal I can't remember if there is a pizza oven or not. I want to say yes

[Arcenal813]

So how IS Whole Foods anyway?
Is it worth going to, considering my 2 normal grocery shopping destinations are Publix and Freshfield Farms?

[boy3365]

With you shopping at Freshfield Farms, I assume that you go to the Orange/Michigan.

I think you're good where you are unless you're big into the organic stuff. While Freshfields doesn't have a full line of organic produce, the organics it does offer are cheaper than conventional at Publix or other grocers. They usually have the SAME suppliers too such as Driscoll's berries, Cal-Organic greens (kale, chard, etc.), Organic Girl salad mixes, etc.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by Arcenal352

So how IS Whole Foods anyway?
Is it worth going to, considering my 2 normal grocery shopping destinations are Publix and Freshfield Farms?

Originally Posted by boy3365

With you shopping at Freshfield Farms, I assume that you go to the Orange/Michigan.

I think you're good where you are unless you're big into the organic stuff. While Freshfields doesn't have a full line of organic produce, the organics it does offer are cheaper than conventional at Publix or other grocers. They usually have the SAME suppliers too such as Driscoll's berries, Cal-Organic greens (kale, chard, etc.), Organic Girl salad mixes, etc.

I would think any savings garnered at Freshfield Farms are probably negated by the cost of gas (plus time and effort) driving there from Seminole County, also as mentioned the variety of organics offered at Whole Foods is considerably larger. If you're buying organics the cost differential from retailer to retailer is fairly similar despite how people love to unload on WF as overtly expensive. If one maintains the same type of shopping at Publix for instance (only organic produce for example) its pretty much spot on with Whole Foods in terms of cost.

[boy3365]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

I would think any savings garnered at Freshfield Farms are probably negated by the cost of gas (plus time and effort) driving there from Seminole County, also as mentioned the variety of organics offered at Whole Foods is considerably larger. If you're buying organics the cost differential from retailer to retailer is fairly similar despite how people love to unload on WF as overtly expensive. If one maintains the same type of shopping at Publix for instance (only organic produce for example) its pretty much spot on with Whole Foods in terms of cost.

Yeah. The commute does matter. I like The Fresh Market and aspects of Whole Foods, but they will only be one of those "when I'm in the area" stores as there are not any stores in my neighborhood or along my work commute. Meat aside, prices aren't bad at WFM. They have sales like every other store. Thankfully, Freshfields and Clemons are in my neck of the woods.