Plenty of gays love Whole Foods – and now the mega grocery’s showing it’s love for the gays. The chain will open a 40,000 square foot location to anchor Chicago’s new Center on Halsted: a gay epicenter.
While some companies, such as Wal-Mart and the repentant Kroger, eschew the bent boys and girls, Whole Foods looks forward to being a big name – and humble – advocate. Store manager Tom Marciniak says, “It’s not that big a deal. We’re going to really promote the center. We’ll be one of their greatest marketing vehicles.” A grocery with fruits on the menu? Now that’s fresh.
Matt
One interesting thing about this new store is that it includes an entrance from Whole Foods directly into the community center lobby — specifically designed to accomodate folks who may not yet be comfortable with walking through the very public front door of the center. There’s a level of sensitivity there to the still-closeted that is kinda thoughtful.
Jack Jett
Whole Foods has always been gay friendly.
I have friends who work there and LOVE it.
It is just an awesome store. I want to live there.
Jack Jett
nycstudman
I don’t want to take away from Whole Foods, because this is great, but it’s possible that their retail scouts simply found this to be a location & price that fit their needs.