Grand Opening Celebration and Community Spirit
The grand opening of Whole Foods Market 3rd Street Brooklyn NY was a festive occasion, commencing with a traditional bread-breaking ceremony at 8:15 a.m., followed by the official store opening at 9 a.m. The first 250 eager shoppers received a special-edition Third and 3rd canvas tote bag as a memento of the day. Throughout the day, the store buzzed with activity, offering storewide tastings, vendor samples, special sales, exciting giveaways, and lively music, ensuring an engaging experience for visitors of all ages.
Reflecting Whole Foods Market’s dedication to the communities it serves, the 3rd Street Brooklyn location launched a “Fund a Fig” program in partnership with Whole Kids Foundation and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. This initiative directed proceeds from specially designed reusable bags towards planting fig trees throughout Brooklyn, honoring the fig tree’s historical and nourishing presence in the borough. Furthermore, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden was selected as the beneficiary of the store’s inaugural 5% community giving day on January 11th, where 5% of the day’s sales were donated to the non-profit organization.
Partnerships with Local Organizations
Whole Foods Market 3rd Street Brooklyn NY has forged meaningful partnerships with several local organizations, reinforcing its commitment to the Gowanus community and beyond.
The Gowanus Canal Conservancy (GCC), a non-profit dedicated to the environmental stewardship of the Gowanus Canal Watershed, was chosen as a 5% day recipient in Spring 2014. Beyond this, the store supported the GCC by offering bench sponsorships for the new neighborhood green space overlooking the canal, stretching from the 3rd Avenue bridge to the 3rd Street bridge. Proceeds from these sponsorships, priced at $500 or $1000, directly benefited the GCC’s canal education and community beautification projects.
Arts Gowanus, an organization supporting local artists and arts organizations, was selected as a Summer 2014 5% day recipient. Additionally, Whole Foods Market 3rd Street Brooklyn NY hosted monthly “Drink & Draw” art events at The Roof, the store’s rooftop tap room and restaurant, further integrating art and community engagement.
PS 118 The Maurice Sendak Community School, a neighborhood school, was designated as a Fall 2014 5% day recipient. The funds raised were allocated towards building a greenhouse on the school’s property, supporting the school’s curriculum to educate children about food origins and the importance of healthy eating habits.
Sustainable Design and Environmental Consciousness
The Whole Foods Market 3rd Street Brooklyn NY was designed with sustainability at its core, aiming to be one of the most environmentally advanced grocery stores nationwide. This commitment impressed the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), leading them to feature the store in a case study highlighting its innovative wind, solar, and water management programs. благодаря to its various eco-conscious design elements, the store is projected to be approximately 60% more energy-efficient compared to a typical grocery retail outlet in the United States.
Key sustainable features include:
- Rooftop Greenhouse: A 20,000 square-foot rooftop greenhouse, operated in partnership with Gotham Greens, marking the first integration of such a facility into a retail grocery store.
- Advanced Refrigeration and Power System: A state-of-the-art CO2 refrigeration system coupled with a combined heat and power plant. This system provides on-site electricity generation and captures exhaust heat to power an absorption chiller, which cools the store. This innovative approach eliminates the need for synthetic refrigerants like HFC and CFC.
- Reclaimed Materials: The store incorporated reclaimed and repurposed materials, including over 250,000 bricks from a deconstructed building in Newark, NJ, and wood from the Coney Island boardwalk, repurposed for paneling and product displays throughout the store.
Unique Offerings and Local Culinary Showcase
Whole Foods Market Third & 3rd pays homage to Brooklyn’s rich and diverse culinary scene with an open market layout showcasing an unmatched selection of local products from Brooklyn’s most celebrated epicurean artisans. Beyond the hundreds of locally sourced items, over 200 additional products were specially curated for this store.
Distinctive offerings include:
- YUJI Ramen: An in-store takeout venue by renowned ramen chef Yuji Haraguchi, featuring five signature mazemen-style ramen dishes.
- The Roof: A rooftop tap room and restaurant on the second floor, offering a relaxed indoor/outdoor space with local cuisine and 16 craft beers on tap.
- Juice Etc.: A made-to-order juice bar serving fresh-pressed fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies.
- Knife Sharpening Services: Services provided by Christopher Harth of NYCutlery, along with a selection of knives and exclusive Third & 3rd cutting boards.
- Vinyl Venue: A unique space featuring music and reclaimed vinyl jewelry and accessories from Wrecords by Monkey, a Brooklyn-based design and lifestyle brand.
Visit Whole Foods Market 3rd Street Brooklyn NY
Whole Foods Market 3rd Street Brooklyn NY quickly became a cornerstone of the community, offering not just groceries but a gathering place that reflects Brooklyn’s values and vibrant spirit.
Address: 214 3rd Street, Brooklyn, New York 11215
Regular Store Hours: Monday-Sunday, 8 AM – 11 PM
The Roof Hours: Monday-Sunday, 11 AM – 11 PM
Phone Number: (718) 907-3622
Online: For more information, visit the Whole Foods Market Brooklyn Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WholeFoodsBrooklyn, and follow them on Twitter and Instagram @wfmbrooklyn, and Tumblr at wfmbrooklyn.tumblr.com.
