Opening its first North Orange County location, Whole Foods Market in Brea had a parking lot packed with cars and a line that stretched over a mile long on Wednesday, Feb. 17.
Eager shoppers began to gather outside around 8 a.m. to get a first look at the new store which would open at 9 a.m. Whole Foods employees handed out coffee and cookies while the shoppers waited anxiously.
A DJ played music to keep the antsy shoppers in good spirits. Many customers chatted about what they were hoping to see in the store and why they were excited for a Whole Foods Market to be in Brea.
Chelse Kenny said she was, “excited for all the options of food they carry.”
Whole Foods is known to offer a wide variety of food options such as allergy friendly, health-conscious alternatives and items that bring out your inner foodie. The Brea location spotlights all locally-sourced products throughout the store, along with organic and allergy-friendly labels. The on-sight bakery has gluten-free options.
Located in the new Village at La Floresta, Whole Foods Market has brought over 120 jobs to Brea.
Ryan, a member of the Whole Foods family discussed the great length him and his co-workers went to prepare for opening day.
“There was a lot of preparation for this including orientations,” said Ryan.
Along with a groceries, Whole Foods Brea features a bar open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., featuring made-to-order poke from the seafood department and a coffee, juice and smoothie bar.
“That’s the goal, for every Whole Foods to have a bar,” said Sara the Whole Foods Market bartender.
Shoppers can now order poke from the stores extensive seafood department as they shop. This is just one of the many choices Whole Foods offers for grab-and-go meals.
The coffee bar offers local Bodhi Leaf blend on cold brew and organic fair trade coffee as well. The smoothie and juice bar offers fresh smoothies with many options of toppings.There are plenty of items to choose from to add a boost to your drink, such as turmeric, ginger and wheatgrass.
This two-story Whole Foods Market is equipped with an upstairs community seating area and a more private lounge area. Here you can watch cooking demonstrations and cake decorating.
This space will have events taking place almost everyday, from how to make sushi, to a kids sugar cookie decorating class, to a three-course dinner with beverage pairings.
As the area of the Village at La Florest continues to grow, Whole Foods Market Brea continues to get foot traffic and bring positive and healthy food choices to the city of Brea.
