Whole Foods Affordable Spinoff to Celebrate Grand Opening in Fort Greene

As part of Whole Foods 365 opening day celebration, the store will donate 5 percent of the store's net sales to the Fort Greene Park Conservancy. And: The first 100 customers will receive a Whole Foods Market 365 gift card.

The wait is almost over! The first Whole Foods 365 location on the East Coast is slated to open its doors on Wednesday, January 31 in Fort Greene. The affordable offshoot of the upscale grocery chain will occupy  30,000 square foot in the 300 Ashland building, just steps away from the Atlantic Terminal, the Barclays Center and the recently opened Apple store.

"We're very excited to bring Whole Foods Market 365's easy, everyday shopping experience to the heart of Brooklyn in Fort Greene," said Jeff Turnas, president of Whole Foods Market 365. "Whether you're meeting a friend for a burger and shake, grabbing coffee along your commute, or looking for high-quality bargains to stock up the pantry at home, we will have something for everyone."

The 365 initiative, named after the '365 Everyday' value line of Whole Foods's house brands, launched in 2015; it has since grown to six stores around the country, bringing its first East Coast location now to Fort Greene. The grocery chain promises that all products will be free of artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, preservatives and hydrogenated fats, stating that, "all products sold in the store will meet Whole Foods Market's rigorous quality standards."

And just because it is the chain's lower-priced spinoff, that doesn't mean Whole Food shoppers will have to miss feats such as an antipasto bar; a butcher's corner including ready-to-cook marinated meat and seafood; a specialty cheese selection of nearly 30 artisanal cheeses; or a grab-and-go section featuring build-your-own salads and hot/cold food bars. Shoppers can also pick up ready-made foods such as sushi by Kikka, New Jersey bakery-style pizza, sandwiches, pastas, cakes, fruit and veggie trays.

Additionally, Whole Foods 365 will include a Café Level, which will be the new home to Next Level Burger, a 100 percent plant-based burger joint with stacked burgers, fries and hand-spun shakes; Orwashers Bakery & Coffee Bar, the 102-year-old New York City institution that specializes in hand-crafted breads, pastries, sandwiches and salads, along with a full coffee bar; Juice Press which offers a variety of fresh and organic grab-and-go health food and smoothies; and POURiT Authority, a self-serve beer, cider and wine venue  featuring Brooklyn-brewed beers from Threes Brewing, Other Half Brewing Company and others.

As part of Whole Foods 365 opening day celebration, the store will host a "5 Percent Day" where 5 percent of the store's net sales will be donated to the Fort Greene Park Conservancy. And: The first 100 customers in line will receive a Whole Foods Market 365 gift card ranging in value from $5 to $365.

Welcome to the neighborhood!