Whole Foods in Mandarin is struggling

[thekillingwax]

Absolutely. I hate going back in there. When it is busy, it's a pain in the ass to get out because everyone else drives like an ass trying to scream out of the parking lot because they are pissed that they paid $140 for a bag of groceries.

I know we never went to the Publix when it was over there either.

[aaapolito]

I think the place they picked was a horrible location.

I agree.  Does anyone know why they did not open at SJTC?  I think that SJTC would be a perfect place for a YUP place like Whole Foods.

[Burn to Shine]

I agree...bad location.  It takes us at least a half an hour just to get there. 

Hey Whole Foods peeps, there's an empty Food Lion across from Wal-Mart on Beach (just in between downtown and Jax Beach)...just sayin'. 

[St. Auggie]

I think the place they picked was a horrible location.

I agree.  Does anyone know why they did not open at SJTC?  I think that SJTC would be a perfect place for a YUP place like Whole Foods.

When I first saw posted on here 3 is years ago that WF was coming before I even clicked on the link I was trying to figure out where at the SJTC it was going to be placed.  They made an "interesting" choice to say the least.

[billy]

Decision was probably made at peak of market.
maybe SJTC wanted too much $

[lewyn]

I live in Mandarin, and I think WF's biggest problem is simply competition: a very nice Publix almost across the street, Native Sun a mile or so away, and Winn Dixie and Fresh Market a bit further out.  Certainly much less competition closer in, and there are probably other suburban locations with less competition as well. 

[cayohueso]

I want Jewel-T back where I can buy "BEER", "CEREAL" and "CHEESE". Generic rocks!

[chipwich]

WF was originally slated to go where Best Buy and Toy R' Us are now located in Town Center.  In all fairness though, Ben Carter and crew drew out dozen site-palns from Phase II of Town Center that changed on an almost weekly basis, so it can be questionable as to how high WF's interest really was.

I wish I still had the site-plan to post.  From my understanding, they ended up choosing Mandarin because it provided to the densest concentration of higher income households in an established market.  I imagine they probably had good statistics from Fresh Market and Publix.

[jcjohnpaint]

It also seems like a central location from any of the neighborhoods that would shop there. 

[St. Auggie]

This thread was started a year ago. Any updates?

[ben says]

They seem to be doing OK...but who knows, I can only afford the trek once a week...

I know Grassroots in Five Points is expanding...I'll take them over Whole Foods any day.

[copperfiend]

This thread was started a year ago. Any updates?

I haven't heard anything recently, which could be a good thing for WF. The last few times I have been there, it seems like they have been a bit busier.

[KenFSU]

I love Whole Foods, but it's just such a pain to get out there. I maybe go once a month, but with a better location, I could see myself going a few times a week.

For what it's worth, the wine guy told me a few weeks ago that they are thinking about opening up a second location out at the beach somewhere. Who knows if there's any truth to it though.

[manasia]

Whole Foods bumped their heads by opening up their location in Mandarin, if they were closer to riverside, (which the thriving whole foods in Atlanta is in a similar area) they were be good to go.

[copperfiend]

The SJTC would seem to be a logical choice for a WF location but the Publix store there is one of their lower performing stores in the area.