CHICAGO, IL - Whole Foods is getting a new look.

The retailer is currently in the midst of a 6 store expansion plan in Chicago, featuring new stores that will offer a bit more than the company's usual fare. According to Crain's Chicago Business, these locations will be outfitted with a variety of popular in-store dining options, such as restaurants, bars, wine bars, coffee hubs and more. Michael Bashaw, President of Whole Foods' Midwest region, is excited about their potential.

“Simply put, we're looking for ways to make the places more appealing,” he shared. “If bricks-and-mortar [grocers] are going to survive, they must offer a compelling experience to customers.”

“Whole Foods Market loves Chicago, and we know that the community has been hungry for these stores to reopen for some time,” Michael continued. “We took the time to design and build a brand new store for each community that would offer not just a full-service grocery, but also a place to meet friends and share each other’s company. After the communities come to know these stores, I believe they’ll feel the wait was worth it!”

According to a press release, the Whole Foods' Streeterville location will be partnering with RAW in order to feature a branded, in-store restaurant complete with raw foods and vegan dishes, as well as a full-service bar, an expanded coffee stand, wine room, Ramen station, and an apothecary-style Whole Body department. Shoppers will be able to check out the fresh offerings for themselves when the store opens on January 28th.

The current projected opening dates for the full line of new stores are:

• Streeterville: January 28th
• DePaul (+29,000 sq. ft.): February 25th
• West Loop (+42,000 sq. ft.): March 25th
• Edgewater (+54,000 sq. ft.): April 29th
• Elmhurst: May
• Evanston: July
• (Relocated Willowbrook location: August)

Two additonal locations in Englewood and Hyde Park are planned for 2016.

As Crain's Chicago Business noted, it was Whole Foods' Lincoln Park mega location in Austin, Texas that paved the way for these new features. Complete with three full-service bars, it was a landmark location for Whole Foods when it opened five years ago. The reception for that location has been so strong, that Whole Foods has worked to incorporate aspects of the format into its stores in outside markets.

“Customer response has been very strong, and it's a rapidly growing category for us,” Bashaw says. “Our customers have told us what they want by strongly patronizing [these locations]. Given the response, we're going to do more of that...In any business, you constantly need to reinvent yourself. People would get bored if we do the same thing year after year. That's what's driving this, and I don't expect it to stop.”

“I think you'll see a lot more of this,” added David Livingston, Owner and President of Milwaukee-based DJL Research. “The new trend of the new age supermarkets is to have some sort of drinking and dining options in their stores. It's all part of the new movement in socialization. It's all about the experience.”

What's next for Whole Foods? You'll have to stay tuned to AndNowUKnow to find out.

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