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AUSTIN, TEXAS - From the iced wild salmon tossed back and forth among seafood specialists to the chef-prepared gourmet entrées and organic apparel boutique, nothing about the largest Whole Foods Market store, opened earlier this month, could be called ordinary.
The new landmark store and headquarters for the nation's largest natural-foods supermarket chain that opened March 3 debuted with high drama as shoppers were wowed by the vastly expanded gourmet, natural and organic-food offerings, multiple restaurant concepts and rooftop outdoor seating area featuring an event stage and playground.
"I believe this is the finest food store in the world," Whole Foods ceo John Mackey said at the grand opening. "This store is our love message to Austin, Texas."
At 80,000 square feet, the new landmark store is the chain's largest, more than twice the average store size of 32,000 square feet. With so much space, the retailer significantly expanded selections, added more restaurant concepts and new features such as Whole Body home, apparel and baby departments, international foods sections and a tea bar.
One of the most dramatic enhancements was in prepared foods. Six different restaurant concepts were placed around the store's perimeter at which patrons could sit on barstools and...