A site plan for the redevelopment of the Latham Circle Mall includes a Whole Foods, reports Chris Churchill. Earlier: What's the closest (chain store for which people have a remarkable longing)? [TU]
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Comments
This will make some people very happy, but I'm not clear why it's a good idea. Hope there are some WF fans out there who can explain.
... said LB on Jul 12, 2011 at 6:58 PM | link
You know it's funny. When I had convenient access to Whole Foods I didn't think much of the place. But the effect of going without for all these years caused me to swoon when walking through their doors again.
The place isn't God's gift to man, but for people who care about what goes into their food, and for those who like to eat especially delicious things, it's a real treat.
I'm not going to hold my breath based on this speculation. But it is always nice to dream.
... said Daniel B. on Jul 12, 2011 at 8:15 PM | link
Is it just me, or did WF not just (in the past 6 months) say that they didn't plan to come to this area in the next two years? then again... who said zoning and whatnot moves that fast ;)
Also, I for one will not be happy seeing yet another flat expanse of parking, and boring ugly big box stores... Am I the only one who thinks parking garages (maybe even underground!) are a better idea? Probably. I know I'm probably in a nominally vocal minority though... I do however hope the Whole Foods makes it here =D
... said Andy on Jul 12, 2011 at 11:00 PM | link
What is the opposite of a "food desert"? It would be the short stretch of Rt. 9 from Fresh Market to Price Chopper with Whole Foods wedged in. Surely Latham can find room for Trader Joe's, too, in that miracle mile of affluent eatin'.
... said chrisck on Jul 13, 2011 at 8:57 AM | link
Question is: Who is moving into the Fresh Market Plaza???
Redeveloping Latham Mall is long overdo. Could always use another updated movie theater in the area. How about a Rainforest Café?
... said Rich on Jul 13, 2011 at 10:37 AM | link
@Andy - It was Trader Joe's who said they wouldn't be here in the next two years. I seem to remember Whole Foods being on the record as suggesting the Capital Region was not affluent enough to support one of their stores. But I have no idea where that tidbit comes from, or if it was even an official communique.
Also I've been amazed at the lack of parking garages in the region. It rains in the spring, snows in the winter, and is brutally hot in summer. Why isn't there a greater demand for covered parking? It's nuts.
I guess the people around these parts are happy to just tough it out. But I've been known to make special trips to places solely because they have covered parking, like the Troy winter market.
... said Daniel B. on Jul 13, 2011 at 10:56 AM | link