Shoppers head to Wilmington Whole Foods for sneak peek

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — With the big opening of Whole Foods just a few days away many Wilmington grocery shoppers are ready to fill their carts.

Sunday and Monday over 1,500 people are paying $5 a piece to take a sneak peek tour of Wilmington’s newest organic grocery store.

“This town is a buzz right now,” said Sean Walsh, a Whole Foods Team Leader. “It is really hopping. I have strangers on the street who hear that I work for Whole Foods Market and they give me a hug and say how glad they are that we’re here in Wilmington.”

The money made from the tours, including a $3,000 matching donation from Whole Foods, will go to local non-profit organizations The Good Shepherd Center and Dreams of Wilmington.

“To make arts programming available for the youth of our community, to make our shelter and re-housing efforts for homeless individuals and families happen, I mean those are the things we want to invest in in our community,” said Katrina Knight from The Good Shepherd.

Many tour participants happily made donations to the non-profits as they enjoyed finger foods and eye candy of their new favorite store. Some say they know exactly what they are shopping for when they come back later this week.

“Probably have to be their bakery, their desserts,” said Joron Dawson. “I tasted their cupcakes and damn, it’s good.”

Shoppers say the sneak peek just raised their excitement level even further.

“I’ll be here at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday,” said Ana Dawson. “I want to be an early bird.”

You can sign up to take the sneak peek tour on Monday on the Whole Foods Wilmington facebook page. The grocery store will open this Wednesday with their unique ceremonial breaking of bread.