ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — After months of anticipation from shoppers across the Tampa Bay area, St. Petersburg's first Whole Foods Market is open.
The health food-focused grocery store opened its doors to shoppers at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28 — more than two years after news of the store first started swirling around the community.
Located at 201 38th Avenue North, just off of St. Pete's bustling 4th Street, the new Whole Foods spans 40,100 square feet.
Shoppers can look forward to strolling the aisle among "elements reminiscent of sunbeams and a warm, inviting color scheme" inspired by the city of St. Petersburg, according to a news release.
“As a Tampa-area native, opening a Whole Foods Market store in St. Petersburg feels like a personal milestone. This moment has been eagerly awaited, and I’m honored to be part of the team bringing our store to such a vibrant community,” Mario Torres, the store's team leader, said.
Echoing the locally inspired decor, the store offers more than 800 products from Florida.
Whole Foods Market opens on Feb. 28 in St. Petersburg
Local brands can be found in departments throughout the store, including:
- a full-service seafood counter
- organic greens, herbs and salads
- specialty department dedicated to celebrating cheesemakers and artisan producers
- cold pressed juices, kombucha and prebiotic drinks
- a full-service meat counter
- craft beers from local breweries like Green Bench Brewing
- bakery with local cakes, key lime pies and plant-based treats
Whole Foods Market says it will be contributing a refrigerated van to Good Neighbors, a local organization that collects surplus food and distributes it to people in need. The company will also be supporting the St. Pete Free Clinic with a donation aimed at supporting the food accessibility initiative.
Whole Foods Market St. Petersburg will be open 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily.