Done Deal: Whole Foods is Coming to Town

Mayor Joe Krovoza spoke with David Lannon, president of Whole Foods, yesterday about the grocery chain's plans in Davis:

"He gave me the official word that they are coming to town at Davis Commons. We had a good talk about how they can connect with the community for their arrival, and to coordinate on making the site work for Davis and Whole Foods. I assume that some sort of formal announcement will be placed on their company web site with more details."

Lannon told the Davis Enterprise that when , Whole Foods took a look at all of their locations and really liked the one in Davis. They don’t plan to modify the entrances or do much to the building’s exterior. It’ll be smaller than most Whole Foods store and, according to the Enterprise piece, their expectation is not necessarily to dominate the market.

In a news release yesterday, Whole Foods provided a list of nine stores slated for growth and development in 2012. Davis was among them:

"The Company recently signed nine new leases averaging 32,100 square feet in size in Phoenix, AZ; Tucson, AZ; Davis, CA; Littleton, CO; Tallahassee, FL; Tulsa, OK; Addison, TX; Katy, TX; and London, England. These stores currently are scheduled to open in fiscal year 2012 and beyond."

The response to the Whole Foods news in town has been fairly evenly divided, with both sides backing up their respective opinions somewhat passionately. In a on Davis Patch, we asked whether people want the Whole Foods in Davis or not. You can as well. Here are the current results:

• 50% Yes, please!
• 41% No way!
• 9% Not sure.

People who oppose the move have said that there is already an , parking will be terrible at that location and it’s a missed sales-tax opportunity for the city, because many grocery items don't have sales tax. Some also don't like the fact that it's a large chain that could affect the Farmer's Market and the Co-op. 

Others, however, are very excited about the Whole Foods. They say that more competition is healthy for the community, as is the food sold at the store. Read this Enterprise article to see what spokespeople for the , and had to say. 

and let us know what you think in the comments below. Like Davis Patch on Facebook to follow this story.