I was in the Upper Haight over the weekend, and the new WHOLE FOODS MARKET on Stanyan Street (formerly a Cala Foods) was looking ready to open. I know, a Whole Foods in the Haight—times, they are a changin’. And it’s quite a green build-out, with locally reclaimed redwood used throughout the store and a reused gym floor reclaimed from De Anza High School in Richmond, plus a glycol refrigeration system, a reflective roof, and glass dairy doors with LED lights.
One very interesting component: the store will carry a wide range of products from more than 250 local Bay Area vendors (within 100 miles or less of San Francisco), including products from San Francisco street food vendors (Magic Curry Kart, The Chai Cart, King of Cürrywurst, Bicycle Coffee Co., Empanadas de mi Pueblo, El Porteño empanadas, and HapaSF), Paulie’s Pickling, Scream Sorbet from Oakland, Rancho Gordo beans, sauces and jams from Azalina, frozen fruit pies from Duarte’s in Pescadero, Papalote salsa, wine and vermouth from Sutton Cellars, coffee and tea from Ritual Roasters, Four Barrel Coffee, Bicycle Coffee, Philz Coffee, Mighty Leaf Tea, and much more.
But before the opening happens on Wednesday February 16th (at 8am), they’re hosting a “Good Food Celebration” on Sunday February 13th from 12pm-4pm in the parking lot. Ethnic foods from La Cocina members and an assortment of specialty beers from Magnolia Brewery will be there, among others. Admission is free and all food items are priced under $5. All profits made from beer sales will go directly back to La Cocina to support its incubator programs for low-income food entrepreneurs. Daily store hours: 8am-10pm. 690 Stanyan St. at Haight, 415-876-6740.
