The Whole Foods Experience
I’ve been several times already to the new Whole Foods market in Short Pump. I love a lot about what I see. But the store also needs to work on some issues.
First the bad.
- Customer service. While the checkout folks have been friendly, etc., the folks serving food are less so. They can act like they could care less to serve you.
- Cleanliness. I ate in their “cafe” area and every free table was filthy from the last diner. The garbage areas were overflowing with refuse. One man started to empty the bin, but never came back after seeing it was full.
- Supplies. Gotta have enough trays, salad bins, and salad tops available for customers.
- Parking. Will there be more parking spots? Because right now, it’s pathetic, and I think we may have another “Downtown Short Pump Parking Debacle” on our hands.
- Prices. Yes, some things are expensive. I realize they are using organic ingredients, but… this isn’t your “I’ll do all my shopping here every week” type of store.
Next, pictures.
I had a chocolate chip cookie which was… wonderful. Never have I had a cookie that had such depth of flavor. It was not a crispy and chewing style cookie (my favorite), but the quality of chocolate and brown sugar used made up for that.
The pizza was tasty. Too bad it went cold again (after being put back into the oven) with such a long wait at the checkout. But, where else can you get pear, blue cheese, and bacon on a pizza in Richmond? It cost $3.30 a slice. Ouch.
Delicious looking fruit, and so much of it.
Pre-packaged for a healthy snack, or breakfast.
More of the same.
This place is overflowing with great-looking produce. From stone fruits, to tomatoes, to figs, it was all there.
There’s something to be said for abundance; it sells, and you tend to want more of what you see.
I have to hunt for a good fig recipe.
Thank you! An excellent selection of wines at all price points. So many inspiring options.
The meat case looks good; not as “spread out” or carrying as much variety as the Fresh Market, but some areas are self-serve which Fresh Market does not have. Whole Foods also beats FM on the seafood section.
Lots to find, lots of unique beverages.
Yummy selections of pre-packged, to-go foods.
Their minestrone was delicious, and the solids were not mushy! Yeah!
Enough parmesan to make me cry.
Their croissants were delicious.
A few more views:
Checkout:
I did say, checkout:
I love the checkout for two reasons: they’ve got a lot of lines, they take PayPass MasterCard (no swipe, just present the card and it beeps!), and the readouts are cool. They even print double-sided receipts to save money.
My advice: visit hungry (it’s wrong, but it feels so good), don’t carry a budget (you’ll go beyond it), and go at non-peak times. You’ll certainly find something delicious at Whole Foods.
Next time, hopefully Trader Joe’s down a few hundred feet on West Broad Street will be open, too!
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