"We mean healthy food for all," Robb said, describing Whole Foods' philosophy. "Personally, I'm sort tired of this framing of the (debate), where there is a league and not a league, and this food is only for certain people. (Photo by HB Meeks/Tell Us Detroit)

Whole Foods breaks ground on new Midtown Detroit location

By Abenaah Ezrah/Tell Us Detroit

DETROIT (Tell Us Det) - Detroit residents, community partners, Whole Food Market Team Members and media joined to commemorate the start of construction on Whole Foods Market's new Detroit location. Mayor Dave Bing, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Whole Foods Market Inc.'s co-chief executive Walter Robb took part in the ceremony.

The Austin, Texas-based retailer plans to open a 20,000-square-foot supermarket with about 75 employees next year. The company began looking at Midtown in 2010.

The new location will be on the corner of Mack and John R. adjacent to Detroit's Medical Center. Community and National leaders celebrated as news anchor, Rhonda Walker hosted the ceremony acknowledging Co- CEO, Walter Robb for his interest and insurance in Detroit's future.

Senator and Chair of the U.S. Agriculture Committee, Debbi Stabenow is ecstatic about Whole Foods new location, which is projected to be open Spring 2013. "I am so excited and very pleased to have such a wonderful corporation that's committed to the community, they've made a 100% commitment to Detroit," says Stabenow.

The new location will be in walking distance from Wayne State University's main campus, Midtown's cultural and Museum district and The DMC Midtown Detroit Campus.

Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (wholefoodsmarket.com, NASDAQ: WFM), is the leading natural and organic food retailer. As America’s first national certified organic grocer, Whole Foods Market was named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” by Health magazine. The company's motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures its mission to ensure customer satisfaction and health, Team Member excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to the company’s more than 64,000 Team Members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine.