Last Wednesday, a management group from Whole Foods Market visited the Los Gatos Boulevard site of their nearly-finished store to check on construction progress, just hours after Amazon Grocery Communications announced it would open April 15.
Around noon, one contractor sought sign-off on the location for safes. Another couple workers were in the middle of moving a sink.
“It’s coming along nicely,” Bob Gordon, a construction project manager for Whole Foods told the Los Gatan in a brief interview at the Los Gatos location. “We’re excited about finishing up and opening to the public.”
E2S Building Performance had good news for him. Their infrastructure efficiency review indicated the structure was coming along swimmingly, though the company officials hinted this had followed some earlier updates that were more negative.
Just a few months back, Tesla opened a dealership and service center next door. And there’s been plenty of speculation in recent months about the scope of the Jeff Bezos-owned neighboring facility.
Well, now we know.
According to a spokesperson, the Los Gatos location will feature a coffee and juice bar, and the store will offer more than 2,000 local items from 350+ California-based suppliers.
The Austin, Texas-based multinational will provide an all-electric refrigerated van and food donation to West Valley Community Services, part of the corporation’s Nourishing Our Neighborhoods program.
(Drew Penner / Los Gatan)
And on opening day the first 300 shoppers are to receive a limited-edition tote bag and a “Secret Saver” card—featuring offers of up to $100 off—when the store opens at 9am.
The building at 15650 Los Gatos Blvd. itself boasts 43,130 square feet of space—almost double the size of the previous location.
Don’t expect wooden tables for eating your lunch, like at the Santa Cruz location. But though the outdoor seating is plastic, the furniture can still fit four people comfortably.
The grocery items from California-based suppliers are being sourced with the help of “Forager for Local & Emerging Brands” Patrick Wyman (floral items have to meet Whole Foods’ Pollinator Health Policy meant to reduce the use of pesticides, the company says).
Produce will come from Tomatero Farms and Coke Farms; specialty department items will come from Andante Dairy, Charles Chocolates and Nicasio Valley Cheese; the “curated grocery section” will feature raw honey from Small Bees, light, medium and dark roasts from Coffee & Water Lab, and fermented almonds and cashews from Philosopher Foods; the seafood counter will offer ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat meals, and will get their array of items from partners such as The Santa Barbara Smokehouse and Tsar Nicoulai (HQ promises all offerings will either be “sustainable wild-caught” or “Responsibly Farmed.”)
The full-service meat counter is to feature “animal-welfare-certified selections,” with butchers there to cut beef and poultry to order. Consumers can expect made-in-house sausage, as well as marinated and seasoned meats. Suppliers include Eel River Organic Beef, Pozzi Ranch and Silva Sausage Coop. “Animals must be raised with no antibiotics ever,” the release states.
There will be 500+ wines and 330+ craft beers and a variety of spirits to choose from.
“The department will also feature product from more than 110 local wineries and 40 local breweries, including McBride Sisters Collection, Field Recordings Wine, Russian River Brewing Company, Original Pattern Brewing Coop and Cellarmaker Brewing Company,” the spokesperson said.
In February, the Los Gatan interviewed Morgan Bricca, the muralist who painted four bright birds in a series of murals on the side of the building. She explained that these correspond with the four seasons: a house finch for spring, an American goldfinch for summer, a scrub jay for fall and an eastern spotted towhee for winter.
(Drew Penner / Los Gatan)
Around the same time, the Wall Street Journal—another Bezos-owned company—announced it would cut a third of its staff. This came not long after Amazon pledged $1 million to Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration fund.
Back in Los Gatos, Whole Foods is readying its prepared foods department, which will serve-up hot food and salad bars, with a rotating menu of “comfort foods” and seasonal items. You will be able to purchase pizza by the slice, or order an entire pie. Sushi will be crafted daily by Genji.
Bread will be baked fresh daily and the department will also have items like strawberry cherry pistachio crumble pie and mango yuzu Chantilly cake. Expect merchandise from Sconehenge Bakery, Firebrand Artisan Breads and Acme Bread Company.
Over in the Wellness & Beauty aisle, company officials say you’ll be able to get moringa powder and gummies from Kuli Kuli Foods, soy wax scented candles from Viviana Luxury Candles and skincare from Cocokind.
“Opening morning, customers will enjoy coffee and pastry samples from local suppliers,” the spokesperson said.
Whole Foods Market will also provide monetary donations to Ma’alot Farms, which was featured in the Los Gatan in November, and Santa Clara-based River of Life Food Pantry.
