Curtains for Whole Foods?

The Whole Foods superstore that's been planned for the corner of 3rd Street and 3rd Avenue in Gowanus will never happen, according to a source with close connections to the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the government agency that needs to sign off on the clean-up of the polluted site before any building can begin. Environmental concerns aside, evidently the trend in the supermarket biz has swung away from superstores, our source notes; in addition, in the wake of poor earnings this summer, Whole Foods announced that it would be cutting back on the number of new stores next year. The likely upshot? Even if Whole Foods decided to open a smaller store in Brooklyn, says our source, it's unlikely it would want to use this site. You buying it?
More Delays and Changes at Whole Foods [Brownstoner]

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Hopefully Whole Foods will find a new spot, maybe on 4th Avenue to open. I have really been looking forward to the gowanus whole foods.

Posted by: ebklyn at September 29, 2008 10:40 AM

This is a severe bummer and a real set-back for the neighborhood.

Every time I get excited about Gowanus (Toll Brothers development, canal clean-up, Whole Foods, new music venues) ... there is some bad news. With the economy in crisis, development plans for this 'hood could be set-back a few years, if not more.

oh well ... Gowanus, I'll catch you on the next R/E upswing.

Posted by: Mr Joist at September 29, 2008 10:45 AM

It's been so long, I've forgotten the details. Is this public or private land? If private, did WF buy it already, or was that sale conditional upon cleanup?

Posted by: Montrose Morris at September 29, 2008 10:48 AM

In other shocking news, the sun rose this morning.

Posted by: SnarkSlope at September 29, 2008 10:54 AM

IF they do a Brooklyn Location, it WILL be in the City Point building

Posted by: FtGreeneCorey at September 29, 2008 10:59 AM

Navy Yard, Navy Yard, Navy Yard!!

Posted by: la di da di at September 29, 2008 11:04 AM

I'm gonna go with City Point based on the subway proximity. Fairway does OK, but would probably do even better if they were more easily accessible.

Posted by: SnarkSlope at September 29, 2008 11:09 AM

City Point would be perfect.

Posted by: bklynite at September 29, 2008 11:28 AM

Actually, Snark, between the last few days of (actual) weather, and the gales of creative destruction that have been blowing in lower Manhattan these last few weeks, I found this morning's sun quite a pleasant surprise. But point taken.

Posted by: slopefarm at September 29, 2008 11:33 AM

Wow!!! who predicted this 2 YEARS ago....why it was ME!

Posted by: fsrg at September 29, 2008 11:35 AM

I think they should install a motor cross course on this site. Wouldn't that be fun?

Posted by: tybur6 at September 29, 2008 1:51 PM

tybur6 - now your talking!

Posted by: troll at September 29, 2008 1:58 PM

WF overpriced, overrated, good riddance.

Posted by: Xander Crews at September 29, 2008 2:31 PM

Perhaps, ESDC, ahem I mean FCRC would entertain offering a real alternative to Pathmark that would really be a community benefit by making overtures to Whole Foods?

Posted by: BrooklynIsHome at September 29, 2008 3:51 PM

This is too bad, I hope they can pick another spot in Brooklyn. I also vote for the Navy Yard. I know some people don't like WF, but it would be nice for those of us who want to shop there to have a closer to home option than going to the city. Fingers Crossed....

Posted by: greenebee at September 29, 2008 4:00 PM

Too bad! Now where will all of the newly transplanted d-bags get their artichoke, pecan-encrusted salmon ricotta dip for $47.99/lb?

Posted by: Manitoba at July 8, 2009 10:22 PM

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September 29, 2008

Curtains for Whole Foods?

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