DESTIN — The largest organic and natural grocery chain in the country is expected to open its first store in Northwest Florida in 2016.
Whole Foods Market announced Wednesday it is developing a store at Destin Commons. Legendary Inc. and Turnberry Associates, who partnered to develop Destin Commons more than 10 years ago, have again teamed up to bring Whole Foods Market to the popular shopping and lifestyle center on U.S. 98 about 28 miles west of the Bay County line.
“As Destin continues to grow, Destin Commons has continued to grow,” said Bob Perry, the center’s general manager. “We think this is just another feather in the cap of the area that shows we have rebounded from the economic recession and the oil spill. Everything seems to be moving up.”
Whole Foods Market will be built on the 4-acre parcel between Bass Pro Shops and Rooms To Go. Construction is expected to start in early January.
Perry said it will take Legendary and Turnberry nine months to build the shell of the building. Whole Foods then will have up to six months to outfit it.
Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market is the leading natural and organic food retailer United States. As America’s first nationally certified organic grocer, Whole Foods was named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” by Health magazine.
Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine for 15 consecutive years.
“We think it will help to bring an influx of people from the surrounding areas that want to enjoy their quality of food,” Perry said.
Whole Foods at Destin Commons will feature outdoor seating for people who purchase ready-made food, but want a place to eat on site. The store also will feature special parking for golf carts and charging stations for electric vehicles.
“It’s going to be a great-looking store,” Perry said. “It’s going to blend well with some of the design and construction elements that are popular here in Northwest Florida. They went out and did quite a bit of local research with what’s being built nowadays.”