Whole Foods Market opens first El Paso location

Whole Foods Market opened its first location Wednesday morning in West El Paso.

The national chain touts itself as an industry trend-setter and its grand opening proved it does things differently.

Instead of a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, the store broke an 8-foot loaf of bread to celebrate the new El Paso venture.

“El Paso asked for us and now we’re here,” said Victoria Gonzalez, marketing and community relations representative for the El Paso store.

Gonzalez said walking into Whole Foods is an “experience” and not your average trip to the grocery store.

The popular store owns and operates a chain of natural foods supermarkets with everything from meat and poultry to cereal and bread. The store also works with the community to sell local products.

Shoppers can find a cafe, an area to enjoy 24 assorted beers and wine in the Thunderbird Tap Room and goods made by local vendors like t-shirts, art and jewelry.

Last week, team members got a taste of products that will be sold in stores. Whole Foods held a local vendor fair with displays and and samples of local products.

Local honey supplier, Michael Duchouqette, will have two products sold in stores. He says the opening will have a huge impact on the community.

“It’s an eye-opener, it’s been really great for El Paso. Whole Foods has a history of reaching out in the community, asking the community what they want in their store, how they want their store, and I think they did a great job of that in El Paso with reaching out to the local producers and see what kind of products were available,” Duchouqette said.

A total of 28 vendors will have products sold in stores. Isabella Foods has sold Mexican food like gorditas in El Paso for 15 years. Now, the family-owned business will also operate a ‘taqueria’ inside Whole Foods and sell fresh tortillas.

“As a small business you kind of get looked over by bigger companies,” Omar Guerra, manager of Isabella Foods said.

“I think they did a great job of that in El Paso with reaching out to the local producers and see what kind of products were available,” Honey vendor of Zumbida Farms Michael Duchouquette said. He adds it’s unique for any store to look for local products to sell.

The relationship with the community and vendors is part of Whole Foods’ mission and something El Paso Store Team Leader Mark Heins says they’ve been successful in achieving.

“They’re representatives of our community of the people who live here, work here and visit here in many cases and it truly represents El Paso. That makes them unique,” Heins said.

Whole Foods Market is located at 100 Pitt Street.