Second Whole Foods

[Omaha1234]

Upper management is in town looking at real estate for a second Whole Foods in Omaha.

Current store has had sales skyrocket since the Amazon acquisition. Not sure if it’ll actually happen, but they’re looking.

[Busguy2010]

That's interesting. I wonder if they are looking for more of a suburban or urban environment. Like, maybe looking Downtown, or an even farther out west store out by Lakeside area. My bet would be the latter.

[Doctor Fate]

I know it's unlikely, but if they decide to build a second location and it goes downtown I hope it ends up like the one in Union Station in Denver. Takes up a surface lot and has residential on above it.

[Spice Johnson]

I know it's unlikely, but if they decide to build a second location and it goes downtown I hope it ends up like the one in Union Station in Denver. Takes up a surface lot and has residential on above it.

I was about to say this too. In relation to one of the rumors on the GLM and library lot threads, put the Whole Foods on the ground floor and then the mid-rise residential on top.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I have a rescheduled meeting in 2 weeks with the “Cryptic Rumor Department” so we could possibly have collaboration here..

And yes- An urban-design downtown core location would be fantastic…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[nebport5]

I think most of us here would prefer an urban location for a hypothetical second location. I also don't disagree that a further west location is more likely. Still, beyond population size the West O demographics do not particularly make sense to me. I have college educated family in Gretna who I don't think have ever stepped foot in a Whole Foods. I can't imagine a closer location, like Lakeside, would change the possibility of them wandering into one.

It can't hurt for the hungry urbanites on this forum to share a few opinions.

Here's a link to suggest a store location with some qualifying criteria.

Here is also the Master Broker for the area:

Scott Stefanik [email protected]

[Doctor Fate]

I think most of us here would prefer an urban location for a hypothetical second location. I also don't disagree that a further west location is more likely. Still, beyond population size the West O demographics do not particularly make sense to me. I have college educated family in Gretna who I don't think have ever stepped foot in a Whole Foods. I can't imagine a closer location, like Lakeside, would change the possibility of them wandering into one.

It can't hurt for the hungry urbanites on this forum to share a few opinions.

Here's a link to suggest a store location with some qualifying criteria.

Here is also the Master Broker for the area:

Scott Stefanik [email protected]

Thanks for this!

[nebugeater]

would the former Fresh Thyme on West Center be big enough for a conversion?

[Doctor Fate]

would the former Fresh Thyme on West Center be big enough for a conversion?

I think that would fit some of the criteria on Whole Foods site for new store locations. But it is also less than 5 miles away from the existing location.

- Typically, 200,000 people or more in a 20-minute drive time

- 25,000-50,000 Square Feet

- Large number of college-educated residents

- Abundant parking available for our exclusive use

- Stand alone preferred, would consider complementary

- Easy access from roadways, lighted intersection

- Excellent visibility, directly off of the street

Must be located in a high traffic area (foot and/or vehicle)

[iamjacobm]

AvenueOne feels like a natural fit there are plans for box retail right off Dodge. Great visibility great demographics out there far enough away from the existing Whole Foods. DT would be cool, not totally sure the demographics are there.

[NEDodger]

In addition to what Doctor Fate mentioned, there's also a LOT of current grocery options within two miles of that area. I think it's a bit saturated.

[Omaha1234]

I would normally agree that a second location seems like a bit much for a city the size of Omaha. However, the acquisition of Amazon and Prime deals has made it more approachable than it maybe has been in the past.

My gut feeling is they would go west, but I don’t have any actual info to back that up. The current store is pretty large, so I could see a second location being a bit smaller.

I should be able to get more information and updates soon.

Also my source: I work within Whole Foods.

[Mr.Nuke]

would the former Fresh Thyme on West Center be big enough for a conversion?

Assuming we're talking about the one on 131st and Center? That is becoming an Aldi.
https://omaha.com/business/local/aldi-t ... 0fc46.html

[Brad]

would the former Fresh Thyme on West Center be big enough for a conversion?

Assuming we're talking about the one on 131st and Center? That is becoming an Aldi.
https://omaha.com/business/local/aldi-t ... 0fc46.html

175th and Center, in the Big Circle.

[Mr.Nuke]

would the former Fresh Thyme on West Center be big enough for a conversion?

Assuming we're talking about the one on 131st and Center? That is becoming an Aldi.
https://omaha.com/business/local/aldi-t ... 0fc46.html

175th and Center, in the Big Circle.

That is why I was confused, because re: Doctor Fate's reply that one is definitely more than 5 miles away from the existing location (roughly 6.5 as the crow flies and 8.5 driving). And re: that location I'm with NEDodger I don't see them going in when you've got the Baker's, Walmart, and Target right there; although Whole Foods definitely draws from a different crowd than the latter two.

[Omaha Cowboy]

would the former Fresh Thyme on West Center be big enough for a conversion?

Assuming we're talking about the one on 131st and Center? That is becoming an Aldi.
https://omaha.com/business/local/aldi-t ... 0fc46.html

175th and Center, in the Big Circle.

That is why I was confused, because re: Doctor Fate's reply that one is definitely more than 5 miles away from the existing location (roughly 6.5 as the crow flies and 8.5 driving). And re: that location I'm with NEDodger I don't see them going in when you've got the Baker's, Walmart, and Target right there; although Whole Foods definitely draws from a different crowd than the latter two.

The store at Baker’s Square (132nd and West Center) will become an Aldi..and there is a new Aldi opening at 175th and West Center..no Whole Foods in this neck of the woods imo..

If this rumor has legs, and I’ll try and substantiate its validity, my hope is a location in the downtown core…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Brad]

The store at Baker’s Square will become an Aldi..and there is a new Aldi opening at 175th and West Center..no Whole Foods in this neck of the woods imo..

192 & west Center, and its already open.

[Omaha Cowboy]

The store at Baker’s Square will become an Aldi..and there is a new Aldi opening at 175th and West Center..no Whole Foods in this neck of the woods imo..

192 & west Center, and its already open.

Right. I always get this mixed up, and I’ve driven by it a half a dozen times..It’s at 192nd not 175th and it’s a larger than the “usual” new Aldi that’s for sure…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Jins123]

I always thought and even posted it before on here, that the Supermercado in midtown would some day be a Whole Foods. I don’t think it’s there right now, but in 5-10 years it will be IMO

[Doctor Fate]

That is why I was confused, because re: Doctor Fate's reply that one is definitely more than 5 miles away from the existing location (roughly 6.5 as the crow flies and 8.5 driving). And re: that location I'm with NEDodger I don't see them going in when you've got the Baker's, Walmart, and Target right there; although Whole Foods definitely draws from a different crowd than the latter two.

I was thinking of the Fresh Thyme at 13215 W Center Rd which Google said was 4.6 miles from the Whole Foods on Regency Parkway.

[ita]

That is why I was confused, because re: Doctor Fate's reply that one is definitely more than 5 miles away from the existing location (roughly 6.5 as the crow flies and 8.5 driving). And re: that location I'm with NEDodger I don't see them going in when you've got the Baker's, Walmart, and Target right there; although Whole Foods definitely draws from a different crowd than the latter two.

I was thinking of the Fresh Thyme at 13215 W Center Rd which Google said was 4.6 miles from the Whole Foods on Regency Parkway.

Ah, that's an ALDI (well, not yet, but it's under construction right now).

[nebport5]

I know it's unlikely, but if they decide to build a second location and it goes downtown I hope it ends up like the one in Union Station in Denver. Takes up a surface lot and has residential on above it.

I love this idea in concept. The Denver Union Station store has underground parking. That would be problematic for the library site unless they were to integrate a garage into a tower. The Denver Union Station store also has well Union Station, a massive transit hub adjacent, as well as the neighboring tourist gutter known as 16th St. In my dream world of better city planning the old Civic site would be perfect for a transit hub. Creighton's next door. There's great freeway access. Another grip with the existing Civic "plan" is low-rise apartments on the north freeway side. If there is to be retail on this block the North side facing the freeway is an obvious spot. If only a late philanthropist left us streetcar I'd slightly amend the route to run through the Civic block. I digress..


I don't disagree Avenue One is the most likely but at it's current stage of development I'd think it would still be a few years away. Time for a DT anchor project to steal it away?

[Doctor Fate]

That is why I was confused, because re: Doctor Fate's reply that one is definitely more than 5 miles away from the existing location (roughly 6.5 as the crow flies and 8.5 driving). And re: that location I'm with NEDodger I don't see them going in when you've got the Baker's, Walmart, and Target right there; although Whole Foods definitely draws from a different crowd than the latter two.

I was thinking of the Fresh Thyme at 13215 W Center Rd which Google said was 4.6 miles from the Whole Foods on Regency Parkway.

Ah, that's an ALDI (well, not yet, but it's under construction right now).

Oh ok. I was getting confused on the different closed Fresh Thyme locations lol.

[bbinks]

If so, good luck staffing it. Amazon will have a hard time for their warehouses as it is.

[GrandpaaSmucker]

If so, good luck staffing it. Amazon will have a hard time for their warehouses as it is.

Wrong again bud. Amazon is going to have people lining up to get those 15 dollar an hour jobs. The only reason many businesses are having trouble getting employees is because they are paying minimum wage or slightly higher. The businesses having trouble finding labor are bent on forcing people to work for low wages no matter what they have to do to get them to do it.

Where are these tight A$$ business owners going with this fake labor shortage hoax? Easy answer.....the same guys who have been crying about building the Wall and illegal immigrants are suddenly going to encourage the illegal immigrants to come in droves to give them a labor force willing to work for cheap.

[omahacacher]

If so, good luck staffing it. Amazon will have a hard time for their warehouses as it is.

Wrong again bud. Amazon is going to have people lining up to get those 15 dollar an hour jobs. The only reason many businesses are having trouble getting employees is because they are paying minimum wage or slightly higher. The businesses having trouble finding labor are bent on forcing people to work for low wages no matter what they have to do to get them to do it.

Where are these tight A$$ business owners going with this fake labor shortage hoax? Easy answer.....the same guys who have been crying about building the Wall and illegal immigrants are suddenly going to encourage the illegal immigrants to come in droves to give them a labor force willing to work for cheap.

[nebugeater]

If so, good luck staffing it. Amazon will have a hard time for their warehouses as it is.

Wrong again bud. Amazon is going to have people lining up to get those 15 dollar an hour jobs. The only reason many businesses are having trouble getting employees is because they are paying minimum wage or slightly higher. The businesses having trouble finding labor are bent on forcing people to work for low wages no matter what they have to do to get them to do it.

Where are these tight A$$ business owners going with this fake labor shortage hoax? Easy answer.....the same guys who have been crying about building the Wall and illegal immigrants are suddenly going to encourage the illegal immigrants to come in droves to give them a labor force willing to work for cheap.

It is OK for you to be wrong....
Where I work the very entry leave jobs start at 15.50 and most are much more than that. I cannot fill jobs in my department that are ranging from 20 - 28 an hour and that is a very competative wage for the skills and experience. along with this is a decent benefits package. Have not been fully staffed in over 1 1/2 years.

[GrandpaaSmucker]

It is OK for you to be wrong....
Where I work the very entry leave jobs start at 15.50 and most are much more than that. I cannot fill jobs in my department that are ranging from 20 - 28 an hour and that is a very competative wage for the skills and experience. along with this is a decent benefits package. Have not been fully staffed in over 1 1/2 years.

For the 9 out of 10 people who are reading this that do not make 25 to 28 dollars an hour........ all I can say is don't feel bad these guys on these forums can be something else.

[bbinks]

If so, good luck staffing it. Amazon will have a hard time for their warehouses as it is.

Wrong again bud. Amazon is going to have people lining up to get those 15 dollar an hour jobs. The only reason many businesses are having trouble getting employees is because they are paying minimum wage or slightly higher. The businesses having trouble finding labor are bent on forcing people to work for low wages no matter what they have to do to get them to do it.

Where are these tight A$$ business owners going with this fake labor shortage hoax? Easy answer.....the same guys who have been crying about building the Wall and illegal immigrants are suddenly going to encourage the illegal immigrants to come in droves to give them a labor force willing to work for cheap.

Walmart, Target, McDonald's..

All $15. All can't fill open positions.

So, you are the one who is wrong, bud.

[GrandpaaSmucker]

Walmart, Target, McDonald's..

All $15. All can't fill open positions.

So, you are the one who is wrong, bud.

Tens of thousands.....in fact more then half of the kids that go to school in Omaha will be served free lunches tomorrow due to financial hardship of their families. That does not seem to jive with the narrative that 15 dollar and 20 dollar jobs are everywhere does it!

[Busguy2010]

Walmart, Target, McDonald's..

All $15. All can't fill open positions.

So, you are the one who is wrong, bud.

Thats $15 average. Many, and probably most make 11 something. I have no skin in this argument, I just wanted to make sure we are being correct here.

[nebport5]

At the risk of getting the thread back on topic I don't think Whole Foods will have as great of difficulty hiring as Amazon. Whole Foods employees at least have access to couple bathrooms as opposed to an empty bottle of gatorade. Plus if a new store gets the green light it likely won't get built for a year or two at which point the economic and labor climate may look a bit different.

Perhaps a new thread under "business" or "bar and grill" would be a better place to discuss the very real labor shortage. It's not the pay, it's that people don't want to work or work certain jobs anymore.

[bbinks]

At the risk of getting the thread back on topic I don't think Whole Foods will have as great of difficulty hiring as Amazon. Whole Foods employees at least have access to couple bathrooms as opposed to an empty bottle of gatorade. Plus if a new store gets the green light it likely won't get built for a year or two at which point the economic and labor climate may look a bit different.

Perhaps a new thread under "business" or "bar and grill" would be a better place to discuss the very real labor shortage. It's not the pay, it's that people don't want to work or work certain jobs anymore.

Nebraska's 1.6% unemployment rate is also a factor.

[Athomsfere]

I'll say it: Downtown would fit Whole Foods very nicely: I'd say guess the average income around here is well within line with who would shop there. It would fill a bit of a grocer dessert, and it's growing quickly. Not to mention the rapid growth.

Within 5 miles also includes most of Council Bluffs, but I'm guessing those demographics aren't great.

And finally, at least some percentage of the shoppers would not need parking, which might be a nice thing.

A whole foods like the one in Minneapolis would be perfect too, maybe even in North Downtown.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I'll say it: Downtown would fit Whole Foods very nicely: I'd say guess the average income around here is well within line with who would shop there. It would fill a bit of a grocer dessert, and it's growing quickly. Not to mention the rapid growth.

A whole foods like the one in Minneapolis would be perfect too, maybe even in North Downtown.

Like I’ve stated before, and for all those reasons, it would be a nice fit..

And I’ve contended on the forum, probably over the last year or so, North Downtown would make great sense as a landing spot for a full service, urban lifestyle grocery store…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Busguy2010]

And I’ve contended on the forum, probably over the last year or so, North Downtown would make great sense as a landing spot for a full service, urban lifestyle grocery store…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I agree, but I'd rather see a Hy-Vee. Whole Foods is too special for me. I go there like once every couple years just to get some bulk brazil nuts. I'll give 'em that much. They have some stuff that I want rarely, but at least they have it. I would rarely go to Whole Foods for anything other than a specific item. So I definitely wouldn't be doing weekly shopping there.

I think North Downtown would make a great location for a grocer, but I personally doubt Whole Foods is seriously considering that area. I bet if there is a second location, it will be out west.

[Omaha Cowboy]

And I’ve contended on the forum, probably over the last year or so, North Downtown would make great sense as a landing spot for a full service, urban lifestyle grocery store…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I agree, but I'd rather see a Hy-Vee. Whole Foods is too special for me. I go there like once every couple years just to get some bulk brazil nuts. I'll give 'em that much. They have some stuff that I want rarely, but at least they have it. I would rarely go to Whole Foods for anything other than a specific item. So I definitely wouldn't be doing weekly shopping there.

I think North Downtown would make a great location for a grocer, but I personally doubt Whole Foods is seriously considering that area. I bet if there is a second location, it will be out west.

I honestly don’t see how Whole Foods wouldn’t give North Downtown or the general Downtown core area serious consideration.. The population in this area is poised to double before the end of this decade..economically it would make sense for an urban concept Whole Foods..

That said, I’d like HyVee as well..but I get the sense they’re not interested in downtown Omaha for whatever reason.. I’ll be meeting with the Cryptic Rumor Dept later in this week..and one of my questions will be the prospect of a Downtown grocer..I’ll hopefully get some Intel I can share…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[riceweb]

I think both a Hy-Vee and a Whole Foods could be successful, especially if they are both anchors to large residential and/or commercial projects.

[nebport5]

And I’ve contended on the forum, probably over the last year or so, North Downtown would make great sense as a landing spot for a full service, urban lifestyle grocery store…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I agree, but I'd rather see a Hy-Vee. Whole Foods is too special for me. I go there like once every couple years just to get some bulk brazil nuts. I'll give 'em that much. They have some stuff that I want rarely, but at least they have it. I would rarely go to Whole Foods for anything other than a specific item. So I definitely wouldn't be doing weekly shopping there.

I think North Downtown would make a great location for a grocer, but I personally doubt Whole Foods is seriously considering that area. I bet if there is a second location, it will be out west.

I honestly don’t see how Whole Foods wouldn’t give North Downtown or the general Downtown core area serious consideration.. The population in this area is poised to double before the end of this decade..economically it would make sense for an urban concept Whole Foods..

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I don't think DTO is big enough to differentiate demographically between Downtown and North Downtown. Even so the Downtown demographic as a whole makes the most sense to me for a second Whole Foods.

It's not particularly Busguy's jam, cool. I'm guessing you don't live downtown. Point being I suspect more current DTO residents would be in favor of a Whole Foods than any other part of the city. As Cowboy delineated, "urban lifestyle grocery store", which I'd say is embraced more by Whole Foods than any national grocer that comes to mind. True, DTO residents would at this point choose about anything full service(Hy-Vee, etc). I'd be curious to see a poll of what most DTO residents would prefer given the choice. I imagine a good many would also advocate for a Trader Joe's too(which also has a decent nut selection). However, if the Trader Joe's brand were to expand in Omaha, the Benson area is a no brainer.

[Doctor Fate]

And I’ve contended on the forum, probably over the last year or so, North Downtown would make great sense as a landing spot for a full service, urban lifestyle grocery store…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I agree, but I'd rather see a Hy-Vee. Whole Foods is too special for me. I go there like once every couple years just to get some bulk brazil nuts. I'll give 'em that much. They have some stuff that I want rarely, but at least they have it. I would rarely go to Whole Foods for anything other than a specific item. So I definitely wouldn't be doing weekly shopping there.

I think North Downtown would make a great location for a grocer, but I personally doubt Whole Foods is seriously considering that area. I bet if there is a second location, it will be out west.

I honestly don’t see how Whole Foods wouldn’t give North Downtown or the general Downtown core area serious consideration.. The population in this area is poised to double before the end of this decade..economically it would make sense for an urban concept Whole Foods..

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I don't think DTO is big enough to differentiate demographically between Downtown and North Downtown. Even so the Downtown demographic as a whole makes the most sense to me for a second Whole Foods.

It's not particularly Busguy's jam, cool. I'm guessing you don't live downtown. Point being I suspect more current DTO residents would be in favor of a Whole Foods than any other part of the city. As Cowboy delineated, "urban lifestyle grocery store", which I'd say is embraced more by Whole Foods than any national grocer that comes to mind. True, DTO residents would at this point choose about anything full service(Hy-Vee, etc). I'd be curious to see a poll of what most DTO residents would prefer given the choice. I imagine a good many would also advocate for a Trader Joe's too(which also has a decent nut selection). However, if the Trader Joe's brand were to expand in Omaha, the Benson area is a no brainer.

I also know many people who go to Whole Foods to eat. They have a great selection of food to order and in many I've been in, they have premade meals you can buy and take home to use during the week. I think Whole Foods would do well downtown now, and even more so in the future as the population downtown is set to make a big jump.