Whole Foods (10020 Regency Cir)

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 12:28 pm

In case you hadn't heard... Burlington Coat Factory moved into the closed Kmart on West Center Road.

Apparently Whole Foods... a large, national organic grocer chain will occupy the former Burlington location on Regency Parkway (for those old enough to remember... originally the Sheplers Western wear store). A competitor... Wild Oats Natural Marketplace ... is opening its second location at Village Pointe (I love their salad 'bar'... you 'pay by the pound').

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_np=0&u ... id=1022478

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 2:01 pm

I, for one, think this is great. When I lived in Austin Whole Foods was one of the grocery stores I would frequent. While I like Wild Oats, I think the selection of Whole Foods will be better - especially the 'artisan cheeses' - being a cheese monger. I'm surprised Omaha, the produce center it has always been, hasn't brought in more grocery stores of this like. Austin has an even better store than Whole Foods, Central Market, which I consider the prime shopping experience. If you are what you eat, you are where you shop, and I think this is a good image for Omaha to have a Whole Foods (to compete with Super Walmart).

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 2:31 pm

Fantastic!

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 12:24 am

Having a larger selection, Whole Foods is less expensive than Wild Oats. However, the plans I see for the Wild Oats at Village Pointe make it look larger than their other stores. Is there a square footage listed for the new Wild Oats? From most of their stores I have been to from Colorado to Texas they generally are not very large.

Sodak · Post by **Sodak** » Tue Sep 07, 2004 3:59 pm

I work near the proposed site for the Whole Foods grocery store (old Burlington Coats Factory) and absolutely nothing has been going on. Anyone seen anything re the status of this development?

omahaismyhomaha · Post by **omahaismyhomaha** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 3:41 pm

good question...

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 3:43 pm

Sometimes these projects can move at a snail pace.

lonnie · Post by **lonnie** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 12:03 pm

On the "Whole Foods" web site..

Nebraska

Omaha
Dodge Rd & Regency Pkwy
Omaha, NE
55,000 sq. ft.
Opening Summer 2005

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/ ... es.html#ne

They have a lot of work refitting that building.

CountOfMC · Post by **CountOfMC** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 12:18 pm

They seem fairly selective. Is this a surprise to anyone?

lonnie · Post by **lonnie** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 12:28 pm

CountOfMC wrote:They seem fairly selective. Is this a surprise to anyone?

Whole Foods announced the location some time ago ( a year or so), but the Omaha location was always labeled "Opening date to be announced."

The opening date is more firm now.

It looks like Whole Foods went on a real estate shopping spree around the country, and now they are getting the locations built.

jsheets · Post by **jsheets** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 2:47 pm

Is this pegged for the Burlington Coat Factory building then? I can't remember if anything has moved in there yet.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 5:58 pm

Yes this is at the former BCF. I have been wondering when they will begin this project. I has been some time since any news has come out.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 6:04 pm

Thanks for sharing that bit of intel lonnie.

Post by **nebugeater** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 7:44 pm

Wouldn't that be the former Sheplers building???

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 8:13 pm

Why yes it would.

lonnie · Post by **lonnie** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 12:32 pm

OWH - March 22
Work will begin this week on the Whole Foods supermarket at West Dodge Road and Regency Parkway, the company said. The former Burlington Coat Factory building will be "completely redone", though not torn down, said Construction Manageer Jeff Foris. He said the store's opening is now planned for September. Whole Foods focuses on natureal, organic and gormet foods.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 9:58 pm

It has a pretty unique look/roof line... I don't doubt that it'll have to be 'completely redone'.

Thanks for sharing that update Lonnie.

Post by **Brad** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 9:49 am

The paper said it won't totally be torn down, but if you saw the picture in yesterday's paper its doing to look nothing like the burlington coat building. It looked like it will now have a flat roof.

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 10:22 pm

It is nice to see that finally something is going to happen with the former Sheppler's building. I always liked the look (and smell) of that place. Kind of ironic that a building that used to have cowhide and leather ooze out of it's pores will become a whole foods site.

RockHarbor · Post by **RockHarbor** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 4:22 pm

I'm so glad Omaha is getting a Whole Foods! That, and a Dave & Busters, testifies to the fact that Omaha's image and climate is SO changing! Seriously, the "Big O" is becoming a stylish, mini-Denver or Dallas or Minny. FINALLY! No longer is Omaha in the ranks with places like Amarillo or Billings -- places that have bragging rights over only "Cracker Barrell" and "Old Country Buffett."

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 6:02 pm

GRID wrote:I'm so glad Omaha is getting a Whole Foods! That, and a Dave & Busters, testifies to the fact that Omaha's image and climate is SO changing! Seriously, the "Big O" is becoming a stylish, mini-Denver or Dallas or Minny. FINALLY! No longer is Omaha in the ranks with places like Amarillo or Billings -- places that have bragging rights over only "Cracker Barrell" and "Old Country Buffett."

Um...I'm happy for another large natural foods store, too. And while I've never been to Amarillo or Billings I'm sure they are great towns in their own way...just like Omaha is a great CITY in its own way. I would be willing to bet a buck that most Omahans who dine out frequently don't consider Old Country or Cracker Barrell as something to brag about on the dining scene...and I say that with all due respect, as my brother is manager of one of the Cracker Barrells!

We're already a great city, food/dining wise. I doubt the two places you mention that will be opening soon in Omaha will really expand our dining horizons by very much. We already have Wild Oats.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 6:32 pm

two wild oats and a whole foods. a dave and busters and in-play.

RockHarbor · Post by **RockHarbor** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 7:19 pm

NativeOmahan: I totally agree; Omaha is great with or without a natural health food store(s). I'm just happy to see Omaha gain some of the more progressive, "yuppy", stylish chains, that's all. It is a sort of a validation in a way. I mean, if Omaha were never luring those kinds of businesses and stores to town, it would be kind of a shun, the city couldn't ignore. I have to say, it was kind of that way while I grew up, and you always had to go to Minneapolis or KC to hit some of the better stores. However, the retail scene in Omaha has been changing for the better -- much better!

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 9:20 pm

GRID wrote:NativeOmahan: I totally agree; Omaha is great with or without a natural health food store(s). I'm just happy to see Omaha gain some of the more progressive, "yuppy", stylish chains, that's all. It is a sort of a validation in a way. I mean, if Omaha were never luring those kinds of businesses and stores to town, it would be kind of a shun, the city couldn't ignore. I have to say, it was kind of that way while I grew up, and you always had to go to Minneapolis or KC to hit some of the better stores. However, the retail scene in Omaha has been changing for the better -- much better!

Agreed. The city's offerings have expanded vastly in the past 20 years, both in terms of retail as well as dining and entertainment. Twenty years ago a Chinese restaurant would have been considered a bit exotic. Same with authentic Mexican. No one here heard of fish tacos or tapas or micro-breweries. To be fair, most other cities have seen a similar explosion in dining and entertainment offerings. It comes with an increasingly diverse population and more people traveling to other cultures.

By the way, GRID, welcome aboard. You have hit the ground running, I see. Have you lived here long?

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Fri Mar 25, 2005 10:38 am

Attracting Whole Foods can be attributed to one individual. He is a real estate leasing broker that contacted Whole Foods and got them interested in the former BCF building. I read about it in a real estate journal over one year ago. A Whole Foods representative said they would not have chosen Omaha if this guy hadn't done the legwork and shown them the niche market in Omaha. I cannot remember his name but he is a one-man shop. His wife missed the natural food stores found in bigger cities and he thought Omaha could support one so he began luring Whole Foods. I'll try and find the article. This is a big catch since they would not be coming if not for this individual and attracting them may open the eyes of other retailers.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Fri Mar 25, 2005 11:10 am

Wow, very interesting! Yes, try to find that article.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Fri Mar 25, 2005 12:00 pm

Is anything else going in this building? I think it's quite a bit larger than 55,000 sq. feet.

Greg

RockHarbor · Post by **RockHarbor** » Sat Mar 26, 2005 10:05 pm

nativeomahan wrote:
GRID wrote:NativeOmahan: I totally agree; Omaha is great with or without a natural health food store(s). I'm just happy to see Omaha gain some of the more progressive, "yuppy", stylish chains, that's all. It is a sort of a validation in a way. I mean, if Omaha were never luring those kinds of businesses and stores to town, it would be kind of a shun, the city couldn't ignore. I have to say, it was kind of that way while I grew up, and you always had to go to Minneapolis or KC to hit some of the better stores. However, the retail scene in Omaha has been changing for the better -- much better!
Agreed. The city's offerings have expanded vastly in the past 20 years, both in terms of retail as well as dining and entertainment. Twenty years ago a Chinese restaurant would have been considered a bit exotic. Same with authentic Mexican. No one here heard of fish tacos or tapas or micro-breweries. To be fair, most other cities have seen a similar explosion in dining and entertainment offerings. It comes with an increasingly diverse population and more people traveling to other cultures.

By the way, GRID, welcome aboard. You have hit the ground running, I see. Have you lived here long?

Yeah, I grew up in Omaha, but after highschool, I moved away in the mid-90's to explore more of the world. However, I've been back to Omaha often for Holidays and to visit family since then. I'm actually not living in Omaha right now, as I'm living with my parents. My family is currently living in the KC area (job transfer), but we come up to our hometown at least once a month (including right now, I'm in town for Easter). My parents, and many of my relatives, are also Omaha natives. I wouldn't mind living back in Omaha while I finish college (I'm so excited about how the city has changed for the better, and I certainly find a certain comfort in my hometown). However, honestly, when I try to picture my whole life, I just don't see it lived out in Omaha all my years. I'll always love Omaha, though, and always pay attention to the city's development. I'm always rooting for it! It's in my blood; I grew up looking intensely at the city, and always imagining great things for it. I'm very happy with what I am seeing. The town has so much to offer, and I feel the secret is finally getting out.

Asten · Post by **Asten** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 12:07 pm

Coyote wrote:Yes this is at the former BCF. I have been wondering when they will begin this project. I has been some time since any news has come out.

I happened to drive past this yesterday, and they have basically torn a big hole in the front wall and you could see into the building. I was just waiting at the light at the top of the hill next to it, so that's about all I could see.

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 6:40 pm

Thanks for the repy, GRID. KC is certainly a nice place as well. I will be down their next weekend to soak up some of the local doings.

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 8:02 am

I bank at the Wells Fargo at Regency and was there yesterday and snapped this pic of the former BCF. I'd say its getting a bit of an overhaul.

The Whole Foods store is a nice pickup for the metro.

flyOMA · Post by **flyOMA** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 11:42 pm

[quote="the1wags"]I bank at the Wells Fargo at Regency and was there yesterday and snapped this pic of the former BCF. I'd say its getting a bit of an overhaul.

The Whole Foods store is a nice pickup for the metro.

I agree. I admit I am somewhat of an organic junkie and do a lot of grocery shopping at Wild Oats. It will be nice to have an alternative, since Wild Oats can be very overpriced at times.

Speaking of Wild Oats, they will be building a 3rd and 4th metro-area store. Probably look for them in Papillion and N. 72nd. ;)

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 12:32 am

Whoa, four of them? Where did you hear that?

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 12:57 am

Actually if they build 2 more Wild Oats Markets in the Omaha metro, that will bring the number to 4 as there are 2 already..

Hope they build 'em..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

OmahaDevelopmentMan · Post by **OmahaDevelopmentMan** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 3:04 pm

I think I heard a while ago about a organic grocery store going in the Learner Building as a part of the remodeling. Anyone else heard that?

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 1:32 am

Attracting Whole Foods can be attributed to one individual. He is a real estate leasing broker that contacted Whole Foods and got them interested in the former BCF building. I read about it in a real estate journal over one year ago. A Whole Foods representative said they would not have chosen Omaha if this guy hadn't done the legwork and shown them the niche market in Omaha. I cannot remember his name but he is a one-man shop. His wife missed the natural food stores found in bigger cities and he thought Omaha could support one so he began luring Whole Foods. I'll try and find the article. This is a big catch since they would not be coming if not for this individual and attracting them may open the eyes of other retailers.

Wow, very interesting! Yes, try to find that article.

Woo, hoo. I found it. Wow, that was quick!

The article, "The Power of One," was published in Midewest Real Estate News last fall. A few quotes:

"The 61-year-old Hornish single-handedly introduced Whole Foods market to Omaha; likely much sooner than the company would have considered expansion into Nebraska."

"'She's from Florida (wife), where they have many stores, and she kidded me one day that I should try toi get them out here,' Hornish says.

He took her challenge seriously."

"Contacting Chris Pine, vice president of real estate and development for Whole Foods, Hornish kept up regular contact via e-mail."

"'He was very instrumental in getting our location established there in Omaha, ' Gilmore says. 'Hornish was always keeping in touch with us, and was very thorough and reliable.'"

"'It was great to get their attention, we probably brought them here a good eight to ten years before they had planned to get here. When they got here, they couldn't believe the demographics.'"

"He's leased more than 1 million square feet in Omaha for his clients."

"His most recent large project was finalizing the lease to defense contractor Northrup Grumman Corp. in Bellevue,"

omahapropertymanager · Mon Jun 20, 2005 9:08 pm

Has anyone seen any renderings of what the remodeled building is going to look like? I drive by it every day on my way to work, and it's starting to take shape.

Harpoon · Post by **Harpoon** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 10:09 pm

A friend of mine is putting in the AC/refrigeration for the new store. He was telling me that they are wanting to open in late August, but seeing how far they are right now he doesn't see that being a reality.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 10:59 pm

Thanks for the update Harpoon.

Harpoon · Post by **Harpoon** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 8:47 pm

Harpoon wrote:A friend of mine is putting in the AC/refrigeration for the new store. He was telling me that they are wanting to open in late August, but seeing how far they are right now he doesn't see that being a reality.

To update my previous post, the latest news is that they will be done by September 1st, and opening on September 15th... but they still have plenty of work left to make that date.