Whole Foods Market Wichita - Sneak Peek Weekend

It's almost time, and the employees of Whole Foods Market are hard at work getting ready for the grand opening of the new store in Wichita.

The Bulk foods section

I got an exclusive first look at the much anticipated store last Wednesday. It is a beautiful store featuring decor that pays honor to our culture and perfectly captures the spirit of Wichita in the areas of aviation, nature, and carries on the feel of Wichita's retro, classic architecture.

At approximately 30,000 square feet, this is the first Whole Foods Market in Wichita. It is located on 1423 N. Webb Rd, at the intersection of 13th and Webb, across from the upscale Waterfront shopping, office, restaurant district.

Wichita has many choices for natural, organic food in Wichita but Whole Foods Market stands out not only in how they will make an impact on your health and wellness, but also on the impact they will have on the community.  "Win-win partnerships" with local suppliers, and numerous community partnerships, including YMCA, Bike Walk Wichita, United Methodist Open Door and Wichita Children's Home.  Goals are to donate approximately $20,000 back to the community. Providing 120 jobs in a healthy and sustainable building, the Wichita store is working with "Green Globes" (www.thegbi.org) to keep up with operating standards that are good for the environment and lives up to the meticulous care that goes into the products they sell.

The Deli and "New Food" Venue

Here's what you can expect to see at the Wichita store:

an in-house smoker that will smoke meats on a daily basis, as well as flavored sausages and monthly bacon flavors.

Fresh seafood flown in daily

Weekly cooking and education classes, kids' club events and tasting fairs (Thursdays 5-7pm).

Fresh deli, salad bar, Fresh Rolled Sushi, Bakery, Juice bar and coffee bar, Korean BBQ, Burrito Bar, Wood-fired pizza, and a huge selection of cheeses with a Cheese specialist on hand to answer all your cheese questions.

Fresh ground nut butter, bulk spices, and bulk nuts, candy, oats and beans/lentils.

Cheese glorious cheese!

Whole Body Section containing cosmetics, skin care, and supplements

Familiar, locally made products such as Chicken Poop Lip Junk, Sarah Jane Salsa, 4 Star Hydroponics and more!

The "Sneak peek" event is Saturday, August 30th. There will be community tours throughout the morning, but that is all I know at this point. Official Grand Opening is on Monday, September 3rd at 9am. Look for more info on all the festivities going on that day in a post to come. You definitely do not want to miss out on all the great things they are doing to celebrate!

Refurbished airplane pieces sourced here in Kansas for decor.

You can find up to date info for all the goings on at the new Wichita Store on Facebook here.

over at Twitter here, and search the twitter hashtag #wholefoodswichita all day long tomorrow and Monday for even more information.

UPDATE 8/30:  The sneak peek tour is from 9am - 8pm and is on a space-available basis. There will be live entertainment, food trucks, and bouncy houses for the kids in the parking lot! Get down there it's a gorgeous day for it!

The Food:

11-2pm

The Flying Stove 

Funky Monkey Munchies 

Let ‘em Eat Brats 

4-7pm

Hopperoni Express 

Brickhouse BBQ

BS Sandwich Press 

Kona Ice 

The music:

11am - 12pm: Micha Castillo

12:15 - 1:15pm: Tony Ngo

1:30 - 2:30pm:  Jordan Minnis

2:45 - 3:45pm:  Emily Deaver

4 - 5pm: Uche

5:15 - 7pm: Choro Cats