The grand opening of the new Whole Foods Market is not until next weekend, but you can get a sneak peek of the store this weekend.
On Saturday, August 30, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Whole Foods Market at Webb and 13th will give Wichita a preview of what to expect when the store opens for business on Wednesday. During the sneak peek they’ll have live music, entertainment for the kids, and tours for as many folks as they can accommodate. (All the reservations for free tours have been claimed, but they will try to make tours available for walk-ups too.)
Whether or not you make it inside for a tour, the party outside will offer entertainment for kids and adults. They’ll have a bouncy house and free face-painting, bands performing throughout the day, and food trucks for the lunch and dinner crowds from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and again from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Food Trucks:
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Flying Stove
Funky Monkey Munchies
Let ‘em Eat Brats
4-7 p.m.
Hopperoni Express
Brickhouse BBQ
BS Sandwich Press
Kona Ice
Musicians:
11am – 12pm: Micha Castillo
12:15 – 1:15pm: Tony Ngo
1:30 – 2:30pm: Jordan Minnis
2:45 – 3:45pm: Emily Deaver
4 – 5pm: Uche
5:15 – 7pm: Choro Cats
My Sneak Peek of Whole Foods Market in Wichita
I was one of several area bloggers invited to tour the store on Wednesday. (You can see my pictures below.) This is the first Whole Foods Market in Wichita, and the store is designed with Wichita in mind – so if you’ve been to a Whole Foods in another city, it won’t be exactly the same. Tour organizers explained that all of the products they carry have specific minimum requirements to meet; for example, none of the food contains artificial colors, artificial flavors, or high fructose corn syrup. They’ll sell local and regional produce, meat, packaged foods, coffee, and health and beauty products as well, and all of those will meet or surpass the same standards. The store has a deli area with a burrito bar, sandwich station, and freshly baked pizza, artisan cheeses, sushi trays, and an espresso and juice bar.
Ways to Save Money at Whole Foods Market in Wichita
Tour organizers pointed out plenty of opportunities for frugal people like us to save money:
- The Whole Foods store brand is 365 Everyday Value, which you’ll find throughout the store. These are reasonably priced natural or organic versions of the products you might be used to buying at a regular grocery store.
- From time to time Whole Foods will have percent-off sales, and not only will your discount come off the lowest price, but you can use coupons if you have them. Check out all the printable Whole Foods coupons.
- Bargain shoppers will want to look for Low Price tags throughout the store.
- Another way to save will be in the bulk foods and spices. Rather than buying an entire bottle of a particular spice, for example, you can get just the amount you need for a recipe. This is also where you’ll stock up on rice and beans.
- Show up for the deli specials like Chicken Wednesday or Pizza Friday, when you can take home a whole rotisserie chicken or freshly baked pizza at dollars-off the regular prices. ($8.99 gets you a rotisserie chicken for supper Wednesday and a large cheese pizza for Friday night.)
- If necessary, make use of the 100% refund policy, particularly on the beauty/body products. Try it, and if you don’t like it, you can return it. (Even if you lost your receipt.) I swear that’s what they said. I’m not making it up.
- Get a 10% case discount. Any time you buy a whole case of something at Whole Foods, you’ll get a 10% discount, and this includes smallish “cases” like a whole box of snack/energy bars that are normally sold individually. But if you’re really stocking up – for a school or team function, for instance – be sure you pre-order so they have enough of the products on hand.
- Look for the bargain cases in the seafood department. You can’t miss them.
- Register for free store events and classes. (But don’t take all the spots in the upcoming hummus class. I want in on that one.)
I may have missed some ways to stretch your dollar at Whole Foods. If you have experience shopping at Whole Foods in another city, please feel free to leave a comment here sharing your tips.
