Whole Foods will open its doors in less than two weeks. In doing so, it will turn an already-bustling shopping center into an even more popular destination.
But will the arrival of Whole Foods result in a bump for surrounding Davis Commons businesses like Pluto's, Jamba Juice and Mikuni, or will it draw customers away from them? (Share your thoughts in the comments below).
On one hand, families and students who would not have otherwise passed through the shopping center will now go because of Whole Foods. That adds some potential customers neighboring businesses. Some of those shoppers may decide they want to grab a juice from Jamba or a salad from Pluto's, both of which are just a few feet away.
On the other hand, Whole Foods sells those same items in house. They squeeze juices, they have a salad bar, and they sell their own sushi. So you’d have to expect these customers to pass on the Whole Foods items in favor of those offered by neighboring establishments.
So, do you think surrounding businesses will benefit from the new Whole Foods after it opens on October 24, or do you think the new store will pull customers away?
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