Whole Foods Market's organic and natural grocer will occupy approximately 32,000 square feet of retail space in Fashion Island, a popular shopping destination located in Newport Center in the heart of Newport Beach. Construction at the existing space will begin this fall and is expected to be completed for a store opening next summer.
The fabulous grocer's presence in Orange County, Calif., already includes stores in Tustin, Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach, with plans for an additional store opening in Laguna Niguel in early 2012. These new stores are part of a regional expansion, which includes additional store openings in Kailua, Hawaii and Del Mar, California in 2012.
“Fashion Island is a prime spot for us in Orange County,” said Patrick Bradley, president of Whole Foods Market’s Southern Pacific region. “Home to some of the biggest names in retail and central to the Newport area, we are excited to bring Whole Food Market’s unique organic and natural offerings to this vibrant coastal community, and in a convenient destination. We are pleased to work with the Irvine Company and look forward to our upcoming partnerships with the neighborhood.”
Irvine Company recently completed its $100 million reinvestment of Fashion Island, including the addition of Nordstrom and more than 30 new exclusive stores and restaurants, including Splendid, Vince, Jack Spade, Roberto Coin and Elie Tahari, with others opening later this year. The open-air center also boasts live entertainment, specialty food carts, beautiful new outdoor spaces with dramatic architecture and common area amenities, landscape, water fountains and expanded parking.
Irvine Company is also redeveloping the seven-screen Island Cinemas, which will bring to Fashion Island an upscale, state-of-the-art theater complex offering a premier movie-going experience. Island Cinemas will re-open in December offering spacious stadium seating, an enhanced food menu, crafted beer, champagne and wine service.
In another move to enhance customer service at Fashion Island, a complimentary trolley service will launch in August, which will transport guests from one destination to another throughout the center and in the surrounding parking lots. The design of the trolleys will be reminiscent of classic San Francisco cable cars. Two trolleys, each seating up to 12 people, will operate during most business hours.
Fashion Island’s design as an all-purpose center makes it an enjoyable place for Orange County’s coastal residents to visit frequently. Together, Whole Foods Market’s strong brand recognition and Fashion Island’s loyal customer base make this an ideal location for the grocer’s first Newport Beach store.
“Irvine Company is excited to welcome Whole Foods Market to Fashion Island,” said Keith Eyrich, president of Irvine Company Retail Properties.
“We believe Whole Foods Market will enhance the Center’s mix of eclectic, one-of-a-kind merchants who want their customers to experience more than the typical regional mall experience offers. We are confident they will be a great addition to the community and to the success of Fashion Island as the Entertainment, Shopping and Dining Center of Newport Beach.”
Combining the great-tasting food with outstanding customer service, Whole Foods Market features a fresh and enticing selection of natural foods, free of artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, preservatives and hydrogenated fats. Whole Foods Market offers shoppers the highest quality, best-tasting and freshest foods in an inviting setting that is uniquely designed to meet the needs of the neighborhoods for a pleasantly atypical grocery shopping experience.
Ahh! The new Whole Foods Market will be so close to our us. You know for lunches, dinners, and late night snackies!
