Whole Foods Nashua??

[rizzo0904]

Apparently their website says a Nashua store is under development...anyone know where it's going? I do know they had inquired about going in the plaza with Five Guys but never heard any more about it.

[Tedmom]

WF announced a number of new stores they are opening on twitter today, including one in Westford, MA.

I replied, asking about when they were coming to Nashua, telling them that we've been patiently waiting for them to come to NH. This was the reply:

"Thanks for your patience. Hopefully not too long!"

[cringle22]

WF is too busy taking a Dunkin'-like approach to oversaturating our neighbor to the immediate south.

[ctroutman]

The original spot that Whole Foods targeted quite a few years back was the South End/ Nashua, behind Best Buy, as part of a new shopping center, but when the economy took a dump, so did this development. It still would be a good spot for a large standalone, but nothing going on back there. That, and the fact that they say a lease has been signed means an existing building. Building 19 is disgusting and not sad to see that sh*thole go.

I'm sure the owner wanted to get them out for the fact they dont even keep the premises clean and well kept..Last time I went there was on a recommendation for cheap area rugs, and the place stunk like mold and well..stinky ass..and quickly made a run through and out. No thanks.

Anyways..The 5 guys plaza doesnt work. Sure, its adjacent to rte 3, but the lot is way too small...though the allure of 5Guys certainly seems to have worn off. last time i drove by there, was empty. If you like cheap, hit fat, overcooked beef, flattened, this is your place for sure!

I'd say the building 19 spot is probably the best spot, though wouldnt be surprised if they find something..lord knows there's plenty of empty businesses these days..

I really cant wait to see this open, with the only options are Hannafords (1st choice) , Ghetto Basket and the absurdly expensive Shaws. Not that anyone can afford to do all their shopping there, but at least their produce, hard to find ingredients, cheeses, and spices are better than anything within a 40 miles radius. No thanks to Trader Joes..outside of a few things, it's nothing but pretentiousness and frozen food. Last time in the Tyngsboro store, was overrun with douchbaggery, even with the help.

[rizzo0904]

thanks for the chuckle...i needed that after the night i've had. douchbaggery was my favorite word in the post...i need to use it more often.

there are so many open spots in town. building 19 would be a perfect spot. and what about the new outlet area in Merrimack...any chance it would go in there and they are just using Nashua since it's the largest city around?

[Msample]

The Merrimack location would be farther from MA; the Building 19 one is a few exits closer. I am glad the location on DW Highway fell through; that road is bad enough as it is traffic wise.

[ctroutman]

If they dont have plans already in place, they very well could wait for the Merrimack outlets, but the hot rumor all along has been Nashua. I wouldnt want it in the south end, but wouldnt surprise me either, as their are more empty large spaces available. I thought I read, 'a lease was in place' when the rumor first broke. I dont know..seemed pretty exciting, but keeping everyone guessing gets pretty lame.

I am very interested in the Peterborough based one moving in behind 5Guys on Amherst Street..I would rather support the small guy if i can..and if its good and the price is right, I dont need to go to WF

[qianning]

Support the small guy and you like WF?

Global Flavors in Nasua has better spices and a wider selection of grains and flours, Lanna Asian has a great range of hard to find east asian ingredients, Angela's in Manchester has a cheese selection (also oils & vinegars) to rival WF, Market Basket's Choice grade meats are at least as good as what WF offers at insane prices. Lull farm in season has much better produce, and even off season is in a league w/ what WF carries. That's just an abbreviated list, but all of these businesses are within 40 miles, and locally or near region based.

True nobody around here has a good fish/market counter, but then neither does WF (I gave up on the place entirely after a MISERABLE experience with some fish & oysters from them)

[SuperGrover]

Well some of us don't want to spend a whole weekend traveling to a dozen stores to do our shopping. If you do then have fun.

[rizzo0904]

I'll be checking out the one that's going in near 5 Guys and owned by the gentleman from Peterborough. If his products are good and the price is right, I'll gladly choose the local small guy over WF.

[ecwashere7]

A friend of mine has a son with severe food allergies and it is a struggle for her to find the foods that he can eat. She drives from Nashua to the Bedford WF for almost all her shopping. For her sake alone, I'm happy to see a WF come into town.

[southie_chick]

Don't know what the deal is with the old Building 19 location in Nashua - there's a for sale / lease sign up there now (which I don't think they would have put up if Whole Foods was going in there).

[beerme]

Exactly what I was thinking, can someone who knows commercial real estate comment on this? Is it a set up for an electronis retailer to come in and lease or buy? Seems like a logical spot.

[Msample]

Don't know which electronics retailer you'd be thinking about. Too close to the existing Best Buy for them to move, and they are now struggling despite Circuit City going out of business.

[Msample]

Resurrecting this thread; based on this article I don't think the old Building 19 site will be a Whole Foods.

http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/9...

[beerme]

who knows at this point, but this stuff would not be going on if they had already struck a deal. Maybe south end again as they had originally planned.

[southie_chick]

What I found interesting is that the article mentioned they "talked with a lending institution about locating a branch at the top of the land" - not taking over the old spot where Building 19 was. Wonder if they'd put in BOTH a small bank / ATM & Whole Foods? You'd probably need to hit the bank first anyway before shopping there! ; )

[solargarlic]

The space seems large enough for both anyway. I wonder if part of the problem is with all the water waste from a WF? Not sure what kind of system is in place and they may not be able to make improvements bc of the land the building is on. Just trying to see how that part of the article fits the WF angle vs. a bank being ok there.

[SuperGrover]

Well it's definitely too large for just a bank. I wish they'd get on with it already! :)

[cringle22]

What I read from that article is that they're talking about putting a bank branch at the top of the property. "Top" of that particular lot to me means streetside, with the Bldg 19 building being at the 'bottom' of the property.
Besides, the Bldg 19 building is on the large side to be a WF only. I could see it being subdivided.

[SuperGrover]

That building is getting torn down no matter who winds up there. They will build fresh and hopefully build big. The WF in Bedford is so lacking compared to the nice big ones in Mass.

[ctroutman]

I dont shop at WF, mainly since their isnt one local. I like their spices and cheeses, specialty items..thats all. I dont need a 250.00 weekly shopping bill kthanks

I figured if there was indeed a smaller guy coming in, I'd support them first and foremost. I heard about the 5guys plaza one, and was supposed to open last Oct/Nov. and never did

[fluffyfoodie]

The Peterborough-based shop is Nature's Green Grocer and the most recent news was that they were hoping to open early summer. They have an extensive vitamins/supplements/etc/beauty care products section. The groceries are not plentiful - certainly not like Whole Foods or any other chain, but more than what you'd expect and what they do sell is good and pretty much on par price-wise with foods from other natural food shops. We get all of our meat from there and they do have some fresh seafood. They also have the de rigueur GF-CF-sometimes nut-free products there as well and if they don't have it, they will try to order it in for you. I'd think Peterborough is much closer to Nashua than Bedford, MA!

[tunamelt]

The cynic in me suspects some Whole Foods flack in Austin is chortling with glee over his unfailing ability to whip Nashua into a frenzy with these strategic tidbits. ;-)

I have experience with both Wegmans (for 6 years in Rochester) and Whole Foods (for 3 years in Philadelphia). I'd much rather have a Wegmans near me: It offers top-notch produce, cheeses, meats, etc., AND the more humdrum stuff we all need, like toilet paper and Cheerios.

We shopped at WF in Philly mostly out of necessity: Many areas inside the city limits are food ghettos, with sad excuses for fresh produce. But we *always* had to make a second stop elsewhere for household staples. The grocery-shopping two-step gets old quickly.

TM

[rizzo0904]

Agreed....I won't do the bulk of my shopping here, but will occasionally supplement. It's what I do with TJs right now. I basically use TJs for snacks for the kids, nuts, hot dogs, and appetizers...that's it.

[Morganna]

I've never been that impressed with the WFs I've been in when traveling. I usually prefer local supermarkets. If/when one comes to somewhere near me in VT, I probably won't stop. But then, I have a LOT of local produce options here. If TJs came, though.. I'd love the heck out of that. :)

[SuperGrover]

Building 19 is closing next month! Could it be?!?!?!?

[rizzo0904]

I'm kinda bummed about the closure...great place for kids' books and rugs. I've also gotten some pretty cool shoes there believe it or not! I just hope something worth while goes in, and not Walmart. Whole Foods still hasn't announced where in Nashua it's going and the article said no paperwork has been filed for the 19 spot yet.

[Msample]

Seeing as how Building 19 only just recently failed to get a lease renewal it will probably take time for Whole Foods to get any sort of paperwork filed.

I don't see Wal Mart going in when they have a super sized store right down 101.

[rizzo0904]

Walmart has tried to get in there and lost at their previous attempt. They want to be closer to Route 3 than Target is to grab customers is my understanding.

As for the space, I'm assuming the landlord already has someone that's interested. In this economy, with so many vacate lots around, why would you not agree to a lower rental rate to keep it occupied? He's gotta have someone lined up.

[whs]

Link to article in Nashua Telegraph:
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/9...

[Msample]

Not really much info there. They may not even have a location picked out yet and are just acknowledging that they are still looking. Then they have to get permits, construction, etc. Could be a while.

[solargarlic]

Apparently a lease has been signed, so I'd think they do have the location, just not disclosing it yet.

[ecwashere7]

this is amazing news. I hope it comes to fruition.

[rizzo0904]

They can also move into an empty Blockbuster or Borders.

[solargarlic]

The Blockbusters I think will be too small...Borders, I was thinking of as well. It seems like all the old WF are the smaller ones, when they build them now, they seem to have all the features available in them. I'm thinking this one is going to be really nice.

[Msample]

Ugh, last thing I need is another stop on the DW Highway. Agreed Blockbuster is too small. The Building 19 site is intriguing. Certainly big enough.

[rizzo0904]

Aw, I like Building 19 though....and yes, I actually buy stuff there occasionally!

[rizzo0904]

I learned about them looking at the 5 Guys place when I got my haircut over there. Some woman who makes chocolates out of her home was also looking at opening a store front there...no idea who she is. But all I see getting added right now is Sprint.

There are soooo many open places right now. I hope they move quickly!

[SuperGrover]

OMG I will just DIE! 5 guys is barely a mile from my house!

[Msample]

Several years ago they were set to move into a large new outdoor lifestyle center that was going to be built off DW Highway behind Best Buy. When the economy tanked, that project died with it, along with WF in Nashua. I am not sure there is enough space for a WF near Five Guys. Further down 101A perhaps, but I think they'd want something as close to Rt 3 as possible to draw in the same northern MA crowd that shops DW Highway. What would be nice is if Markey Basket closed one of their two stores within a mile of each other along 101A , that would open up some prime space. But WF tends to build stores from the ground up, not renovate.

I would think Bedford would be another good place for them to look.

On a related note, the first Wegmans in New England opens in Northborough MA this fall. I had heard a lot about them and after having been to one in PA recently, I can see the appeal. The prepared foods section/restaurant blows away WF. I'd love to see them beat WF to the punch in southern NH but I doubt it will happen.

[Tedmom]

I wish WF would also consider Keene since they could draw from not only all of southwestern NH, but Southern Vermont, Northwestern Mass, and the upper Connecticut River Valley. However, if they proceed with the store in Nashua, I'm sure I will make the trip there from time to time, even if I have to fight the traffic on DW.

[Msample]

I think Trader Joes could do well in Keene, as they have a smaller footprint and are lower priced. I don't think there is enough of the WF demographic in the Keene area unfortunately.

[SuperGrover]

My husband just brought up the Building 19 site. They just lease and the owners were going to punt them when Walmart was interested in buying.

[solargarlic]

That would be a great spot! I think I read that Wegman's is only going as far as Northampton.

MSample, don't know if you typed "Markey Basket" by accident, but it cracked me up bc my son calls it "Markey Baskey" and we always joke about that ;).

[JPR]

Keene is building a brand spankin new food coop in the center of town.

[elctrnc]

Can't say I agree with the comparison between Wegmans and Whole Foods *IF* they are building a large Whole Foods store with the bells and whistles. I have been to some small and crappy Wegmans that don't even have a bakery as good as Market Basket. However, I must admit that I come from Austin TX, home of the flagship Whole Foods. Now that I'm up in NH, the closest Whole Foods is in Andover and it isn't anything special.

[Msample]

The only 2 Wegmans I have been have been brand new and they are monstrous, dwarfing the WF I go to down in Bedford MA occasionally. I think for both chains, new locations are trending towards the biggest formats. I'd be happy to see either in southern NH really.

[solargarlic]

Nice work! Indeed, the listing in Stores in Development for Nashua is back! Apparently, they tweeted about it on May 5...I'm going to start following their tweets probably, hopefully catch some news that way! Can't find anything else on the topic anywhere...I'm worried that if it goes where 5 Guys is, that it will be a small store, there isn't much parking there. Maybe they will break ground on that new shopping center, or they'll go into one of the spots near the mall where there have been some closings.