Whole Foods update: Construction begins after Memorial Day

Good news on the Whole Foods front: The grocer just released three watercolor renderings (click here to see them) showing what the rehabbed Minyard's store will look like when it opens in January 2009, according to WF spokesman Scott Simon. Interior demolition is scheduled to begin shortly after Memorial Day weekend later this month, he says, so we'll be seeing construction work there for most of the rest of year.

Even though it's possible that some "extremely minor adjustments may be made, these images are final," Simon says. "Keep in mind they are hand watercolor renderings, so the colors show as a bit washed-out."

Other news about the project: WF is "punching holes" in the existing exterior walls to bring in more natural light, along with adding "dozens" of skylights, all of which should brighten up the existing light-less hulk of a building quite a bit. Also, just to the left of the main entranceway (if you look very, very closely), you can see a water feature designed to enhance the store's walk-up appeal, Simon says.

The store will be "amazing" inside, but Simon says he can't share any specifics at this point "for competitive reasons." He did say the goal is to make the project a "LEED-certified remodel, and we're exploring all kinds of environmentally sensitive solutions for the interior remodel. We're also renovating the existing landscaping to enhance the neighborhood, among other nice surprises," he says.

All things considered (meaning that, as we all know, existing ownership and zoning issues presented a challenge to making any more significant changes), Whole Foods appears to be doing a great job of rehabbing the existing facility (pleasing environmentally active residents) while creating a space that sounds much more inviting than the dark Minyard's space ever was. Not to open an old wound again — I was fortunate enough to take a gander at the original plans for the site months ago during WF's original neighborhood meeting show-and-tell — this more-subdued plan serves as a reminder of what could have been. But I'm still excited about the project: This set of elevations shows a commitment to building a good-looking store that will be a welcome addition to upgrading the Lakewood Shopping Center neighborhood, and the inside sounds like a significant grocery-shopping upgrade for Whole Foods customers.

Comments

[Jeff Siegel]

Now, will everyone who was pouting about the new store (including the intrepid journalists at Jessica Simpson's favorite local magazine) stop holding their breath and come back to the dinner table?

[ali]

I noticed the spot for paciugo seems untouched. I also spotted a sign advertising the place is available. What gives?

[Rick Wamre]

I spoke with April, who along with her husband Shaun owns the Lakewood Paciugo franchise, and she says construction is scheduled to start on the store within a month, and they're shooting for a late July/early August opening. She says that unexpected construction issues took awhile to iron out, but everything looks to be a "go" now and a banner identifying the spot as Paciugo should be up soon. In the meantime, April says she'll be catering Paciugo at the Shakespeare Festival of Dallas events this summer.

[ali]

Thanks so much for the update!

[Chris]

Where is the Paciugo going to be?
I Haven't seen it.

[Ron]

Where is the outdoor seating? I don't see it in the drawings.

[Rick Wamre]

Three things:
1) Today, Whole Foods began installing a construction fence across one of the Gaston Avenue entrances to the parking lot, and I've seen a fair number of pickups in the lot and guys walking into and out of the building; presumably they're contractors assessing the project.
2) The Paciugo store will be located directly west of the WF parking lot in the building attached to Glo Cleaners, right next to the Professional Bank parking lot.
3) I don't know about the outdoor seating, but I'll try to find out.

[Rick Wamre]

An update on the outdoor seating at the Lakewood store from Whole Foods: The grocer's final plans are scheduled to be reviewed by the city in July, and there are still plans for outdoor seating, but they're dependent on city approval. So we'll know more later in the summer.