As Predicted, Whole Foods Bailing on Gowanus Site
Ten months ago we wrote a post saying that we had it on pretty good authority that Whole Foods was never going to happen in Gowanus. Yesterday, the blog Brooklyn the Borough reported—and the Brooklyn Paper later confirmed—that this was indeed the case. Whole Foods does not have immediate plans to open in Brooklyn, company…
Ten months ago we wrote a post saying that we had it on pretty good authority that Whole Foods was never going to happen in Gowanus. Yesterday, the blog Brooklyn the Borough reported—and the Brooklyn Paper later confirmed—that this was indeed the case. Whole Foods does not have immediate plans to open in Brooklyn, company spokeswoman Mara Engel Weleck said, suggesting to The Paper that the company would sell the land. What does this mean for the future of Gowanus?
Whole Foods Bows Out [Brooklyn the Borough]
Food Megastore Abandons Gowanus Site [Brooklyn Paper]
Curtains for Whole Foods? [Brownstoner]
More Delays and Changes at Whole Foods [Brownstoner]
Photo by moriah
This is sad. WF would’ve been a perfect addition to the neighborhood.
This is sad. WF would’ve been a perfect addition to the neighborhood.
The Brooklyn Paper article says the reason WholeFoods backed is because of a “toxic plume” with an “epicenter” at 175 Third Street. Propertyshark does not have any environmental damages for that address or nearby. Does anyone have a link to info about this?
Brenda, I read somewhere it’s also one of the very first all concrete buildings constructed in the 19th century. A bit of an ugly duckling and now marooned on that bleak corner, but worth saving I agree.
I believe that building (hopefully it is indeed landmarked and NOT slated for demo!) was originally the office bldg of Edwin Litchfield, who built Litchfield Villa in what then became Prospect Park; he could look all the way down the slope from his home to his office, I seem to recall reading. It would be a helluva shame to lose that little gem.
It’s landmarked!? The LPC better get crackin’ on those 25-year-old violations.
Vinca, I know there’s a Trader Joe’s on Court. I’m thinking of the big grocery store on Atlantic. It’s sumpin’ fancy.
Also, all of Greenpoint is a toxic dump. Still gentrifrying.
> The irony of building a store that sells organic produce on top of a
> toxic waste site has always cracked me up.
Amen, WonTon. The very notion broke the needle on my Irony Meter.
The quality of the product is beyond irrelevant. They wanted to build on a toxic dump. Didn’t happen. Anyone who says a company like WF, whose CEO sent out fraudulent anonymous forum posts lying about a rival company in order to drive down its stock and then buy it, even has the grouchy neighbors remotely on its radar when building a new store, is saying more about their own views than the issue.
Mr Joist, I PUT the walking time in my response to you! (ok I shaved off 8 minutes but I’m a fast walker . . . )
I still say it was a stupid project REGARDLESS of gowanus.