Whole Foods Market Opens Wednesday in Evergreen Plaza

EVERGREEN PARK, IL -- If you crave fresh, locally sourced seasonal fruits and vegetables, healthy vegan and organic hot and cold foods, a bakery, on-site butcher, earth friendly beauty and body care products, and an expansive beer and wine department -- you’ll soon be able to find this and more in your own backyard.

Whole Foods Market will celebrate its grand opening this Wednesday, March 6, at the rebooted Evergreen Plaza. The new store located at 9600 S. Western Ave. will throw open its doors at 9 a.m.

The first 500 customers through the doors will receive a Whole Foods Market gift card of a mystery value ranging between $5 and $50. One lucky winner will receive a $500 gift card. To celebrate joining the community, five local schools will each receive one percent of the store’s net sales on designated days. Schools include Southwest Elementary School, Evergreen Park Community High School School, Sward Elementary School, Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School and Sutherland Elementary.

Grand opening activities include sampling and demos throughout the day. According to the company's website, all food at Whole Foods Market must meet rigorous quality standards, which prohibit hydrogenated fats, high-fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners. The store will offer a selection of locally sourced options, grab-and-go prepared foods and natural and organic grocery items.

Special features of the new 30,000-square-foot store include:

• Fresh produce department with seasonal fruits and vegetables, including selections from regional growers.
• Full-service butcher department featuring in-house made sausages in a variety of flavors, assorted marinated chicken breasts and steaks, and a seafood department with ready-to-bake seafood meal kits.
• Specialty foods section with extensive selection of cheeses and a self-serve olive bar.
• Bakery department offering fresh daily-baked breads and desserts, including vegan, gluten free and other special diet offerings.
• Hot and cold prepared food bars featuring seasonal dishes, as well as vegan and organic options. Department includes a salad bar, soup wells, self-serve pizza, sushi, a sandwich station with made-to-order sandwiches, and a build your own avocado toast bar.
• Specialty beauty and body care department featuring local products from Rebel Green, Ashley Lauren and Au Naturale.
• Expansive selection of beer and wine from local producers.
• 188 bins of bulk scoop items including candy, beans, grains, dried herbs and spices.

Following the grand opening on March 6, regular store hours at the Evergreen Park location will be from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.