Whole Foods Eyeing central Iowa

**Broodwich** · 08-12-2010, 12:07 PM

Whole Foods could be on the horizon for Des Moines | Des Moines Register Staff Blogs

FTA:

Whole Foods Market, a natural and organic food store, announced last week that it is kicking up an aggressive plan for new store openings in 2011 and 2012 and it sounds as if central Iowa might be a possible location.

The Austin, Texas, based company told the publication “Supermarket News” that it had recently signed six new leases, including in San Francisco; Boise, Idaho; Minneapolis; and Washington D.C.; plus two in Austin. I sent an e-mail to the company to ask if the company was considering central Iowa. The response from company spokeswoman Kate Klotz, was: “We have been actively looking in the Des Moines area for quite some time, but have not announced anything to the public yet.”

**jsmith86** · 08-12-2010, 12:20 PM

Getting a whole foods for Des Moines would be what I call a major win. I've got one a few blocks away from my apartment here in Tulsa and I love it. While it doesn't have everything I need, I really like the things that I get from there.

**Three4Cy** · 08-12-2010, 12:26 PM

They are a good retailer, I just wonder if DSM can support it. The Kansas City metro area has two in the entire area, and it's far bigger than DSM.

They have a great bakery, and a nice selection of groceries, but people have to realize it's not cheap.

**GaryJohnson** · 08-12-2010, 12:32 PM

WFM would make a killing in West DSM.

**drmwevr08** · 08-12-2010, 12:32 PM

Definitely a nice sign that the DSM market is pertty attractive. I like the store although I have only been there twice. Its nice to have as an option. Will be nice to get our Trader Joes in soon as well!

**tejasclone** · 08-12-2010, 12:33 PM

Whole Food is great but I certainly can't afford to do all my weekly grocery shopping there.

**Steve** · 08-12-2010, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by Three4Cy

They are a good retailer, I just wonder if DSM can support it. The Kansas City metro area has two in the entire area, and it's far bigger than DSM.

They have a great bakery, and a nice selection of groceries, but people have to realize it's not cheap.

They have a top quality produce section with some items that you do not normally find in the midwest. I can never get out of the store without a stop at the cheese department. Both of these departments are pricey, but worth it for special occasions. They have a good selection of high quality store brand (365) items at reasonable prices.

**Three4Cy** · 08-12-2010, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by Steve

They have a top quality produce section with some items that you do not normally find in the midwest. I can never get out of the store without a stop at the cheese department. Both of these departments are pricey, but worth it for special occasions. They have a good selection of high quality store brand (365) items at reasonable prices.

Not disagreeing with you at all, they run a great store, and many regular grocery retailers have tried to imitate them. People have to realize they can't go in and buy a package of Oreos and a case of Miller at WFH.

**Al_4_State** · 08-12-2010, 12:53 PM

So basically it's Gateway Market? What's the difference? Trader Joe's at least has lower prices.

I think this is good for Des Moines, but I doubt I'll shop there, if I can just swing by Gateway Market on the way home when I want some high end stuff, or go out to Trader Joe's, and save some $.

**alarson** · 08-12-2010, 12:54 PM

Guessing this would be in west des moines somewhere.

**simply1** · 08-12-2010, 12:55 PM

Gateway market in wdm stopped selling grocery items didn't it?

**dmclone** · 08-12-2010, 12:59 PM

I think Whole Foods would struggle in Des Moines. The idea sounds great but I don't think it would fly. You have 3 strong grocery stores in the metro. I can't think of the last time I walked out of a Dahls or Hy-Vee and thought "I wish they had ***". If it will sell then they will carry it. Trader Joes may do ok but that's a different model.

**Broodwich** · 08-12-2010, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by dmclone

I can't think of the last time I walked out of a Dahls or Hy-Vee and thought "I wish they had ***".

You must not watch the Food Network much.

**timhisu** · 08-12-2010, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by Al_4_State

So basically it's Gateway Market? What's the difference? Trader Joe's at least has lower prices.

I think this is good for Des Moines, but I doubt I'll shop there, if I can just swing by Gateway Market on the way home when I want some high end stuff, or go out to Trader Joe's, and save some $.

Whole Foods >>>>>>>>>>> Gateway Market.

**aeroclone** · 08-12-2010, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by Three4Cy

They are a good retailer, I just wonder if DSM can support it. The Kansas City metro area has two in the entire area, and it's far bigger than DSM.

They have a great bakery, and a nice selection of groceries, but people have to realize it's not cheap.

Yeah, that is correct, but the two stores in KC are within about 3 miles of each other in Overland Park. They certainly aren't capturing the entire metro market with those two stores.

I think a single Des Moines stores somewhere in the western burbs would probably fly.