Despite petition, Whole Foods says real estate, population determine expansion

WILMINGTON – Despite pursuit by Wilmington’s centrally located, budding development, Autumn Hall, and a petition being circulated by real estate agents, a Whole Foods spokeswoman says the company has no current plans to locate a store here – reports the Greater Wilmington Business Journal.

According to Darrah Horgan, the media contact for Whole Foods, the company considers several factors when deciding a location for a new store – including availability and cost of real estate, population, education, population density, income and interest in natural and organic foods. The decision is not based on one factor but a combination of factors, Horgan said.

“In the Wilmington area, a key factor would be locating an appropriate real estate location,” Horgan said.

Nevertheless, Whole Foods currently does not have any plans for a store in Wilmington, said Horgan in an email to the Business Journal.

The petition, largely circulated by the Wilmington Regional Association of Realtors (WRAR), has about 3,000 signatures with a goal of more than 5,000 signatures. An email sent to supporters in December said that the petition is to support Autumn Hall’s request to Whole Foods for a store in Wilmington.

WRAR is supporting the petition after they heard that Whole Foods was being courted for an opening in Autumn Hall.

“We are definitely pursuing Whole Foods,” said Raiford Trask, vice president of development at Autumn Hall. “I think they are a great national brand that provides a lot to the communities they serve.”

Mary Martin, president of WRAR said, “WRAR volunteered to help distribute [the petition] to its members. We see the need for that type of store.”

Martin said that many of WRAR’s clients have said they would like a Whole Foods in Wilmington. She said that Autumn Hall would be a good location for a Whole Foods because it is a central location and it is close to UNCW.

Thanks, Greater Wilmington Business Journal!
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