Billing itself as "the world's leading natural and organic foods supermarket," Whole Foods is coming to Fair Lakes. It's opening next Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 10 a.m., in the East Market Shopping Center, off the Fair Lakes Parkway and next to Dick's Sporting Goods.
The new, 65,000-square-foot store will offer its trademark, high-quality meats, produce, cheese and fresh foods, as well as five restaurant areas where customers may dine on a variety of cuisines.
One restaurant venue will feature seafood dishes including fish and chips, ceviche and fish soups, and another will highlight barbecue dishes such as pulled-pork sandwiches, chicken, ribs and Southern side dishes.
The Asian restaurant will offer foods such as steamed dumplings, dim sum, noodle bowls and sushi, and the Italian venue will feature seasonal pastas, flatbreads, salads and antipasto. And the specialty venue will provide items including artisan grilled cheeses and sandwiches, French onion soup and crostini.
In addition, the new Whole Foods will have a wine-tasting room featuring 80 wines on tap. Shoppers will be able to purchase a wine "debit card" enabling them to sample an assortment of wines.
This marks Whole Foods' 15th store in the Washington Metropolitan area. Hours will be 8 a.m.-9 p.m. daily, and special events are slated for the store's first week.
On Thursday, Jan. 18, it will offer tortilla soup samples from 5-7 p.m. On Friday, Jan. 19, from 3-5 p.m., children and parents may decorate a terra cotta pot and plant basil seeds inside it. Then from 5-7 p.m., there'll be a wine and appetizers will be available for sampling.
On Saturday, Jan. 20, the store will give 5 percent of its profits that day to Habitat for Humanity. And on Sunday, Jan. 21, customers may enjoy tea and tea cakes from noon-3 p.m.
<1b> —Bonnie Hobbs