A new 35,000-s.f. Whole Foods Market store will open Dec. 10 at 777 The Alameda (at Stockton) in San Jose, Calif. This is the second Whole Foods Market location in San Jose, and the 42nd in Northern California. The store will bring an estimated 150 new jobs to San Jose and feature the Austin, Texas-based grocer’s first in-store microbrewery and tap room in California.
The two-story, 5,600-s.f. brewery building also will house a coffee and fresh juice venue, as well as offer plenty of seating and a restaurant-style menu. An in-house brewmaster will create signature beers for the tap room, and a total of 15 taps will offer a variety of seasonal and local brews as well as some nationally-available favorites.
Whole Foods Market San Jose says it also is innovating with this store via environmental initiatives.The company is pursuing LEED certification for the store, and the project is one of the company’s most environmentally efficient. Locally manufactured, reclaimed, recycled and low- to non-emitting materials are being used in construction— including reclaimed western red cedar siding, high recycled content tile from Fireclay (based locally), Forest Stewardship Council certified decking, and high recycled content bricks made in Sacramento. An on-site combined heat and power plant will provide continuous electric and thermal power, reducing the store’s dependence on the public grid by about 90 percent. This also is one of only a few grocery stores in the nation that will use nearly 100 percent natural refrigerants by relying on a state-of-the-art CO2 refrigeration system, according to the grocer.
Additional environmental features include: 38 new trees planted on the street and in the parking lot and plaza; street light upgrade to energy-efficient fixtures; bio-filtration/retention for on-site storm water management; four electric vehicle charging stations; native grasses and wildflowers support local habitat; and low water plantings and drip irrigation reduce water usage.
Jeff Giardinelli, who formerly ran Whole Foods Market’s Fresno store, has been hired as the new store’s team leader. Michelle Hohmeier will oversee local partnerships, sponsorships and charitable giving as the store’s marketing and community relations team leader.
“We believe that, while more and more people may be shopping online for groceries, there’s nothing that can replace the experience of sharing a great food destination with your friends. That’s why this new San Jose store is truly designed as a community gathering space,” said Giardinelli. “We’re hoping folks will stop by for a beer or a pizza on the way to or from a Sharks game, or that they’ll enjoy lunch in the breezeway. We’ve got plenty of space and are looking forward to serving this community with the highest quality foods.”
As it brings redevelopment to the abandoned site within the Diridon Station area plan, the store will help create a dense, more walkable neighborhood. Whole Foods says Five Percent Days, Nickels for Nonprofits, and food and fund drives will add to the store’s community support initiatives. Customers will find many local products on the shelves, too, as part of the grocer’s commitment to supporting local makers and growers.
