Spoiler Alert: If you don’t already live in Boulder and you love food as much as I do, you may want to move to Boulder after reading this. Okay, maybe I’m giving my writing way too much credit, but seriously, this new store is insane. And I don’t use that word lightly.

During the renovation which lasted several months, I practically avoided this flagship store due to the fact that one day the bread was here, the next day it was on the complete other side of the store.  However, it was worth the wait.  I was able to do a tour last weekend, which was completely necessary due to the size of this place. They even gave me a map so I wouldn’t get lost! And since I don’t want you to get lost either, I’m providing you with the Top Ten Reasons to check out this store soon.

Top Ten Reasons I Love the new Whole Foods Boulder

1. They have their own version of “two-buck chuck” a la Trader Joes. Decent bottle of red (white, eh in my opinion) for $2.99 in the new Whole Foods Liquor store, previously Ace Liquor next door.

2. The Barking Lot. I don’t have a dog, but if I did, he’d be hanging out in the mini grass section complete with a water station, while I’m inside purchasing a $15 salad from the massive salad bar. (Disclaimer: I cannot control myself around that salad bar!)

Barking Lot

3. Splash Fountain outside next to the Barking Lot. Smaller version of the fountains on Pearl Street and perfect for kids to play in while you are consuming said $15 salad.

Splash Park

4. Their bulk section is EXTENSIVE.  I’ve never seen so many heirloom beans!

New and improved bulk section

So well displayed, I've never wanted to purchase beans more in my entire life!

5. They have a balsamic vinegar wall. That’s right – a wall. I tried Fig Balsamic Vinegar and it’s definitely going on my next salad. Next to “The Wall” they also have several kinds of bulk honey and agave and freshly ground nut butters.

"The Wall"

6. The Make Your Own Trail Mix station. Probably the same prices as the infamous Salad Bar, but a great idea nonetheless. Grab a cup and fill it up with things like dried fruit, dried sugared ginger, nuts…you get the idea.

Trail Mix Bar

7. Beth Pilar who resides over in the Bulk Section. She’s there to help you figure out what to do with all those heirloom beans. She has multiple cookbooks on hand, a digital kiosk where she can pull recipes from, as well as iPads set up throughout the store with recipes and cooking tips pulled in from Food52, which also links up to the great new site, Cooking Boulder.

Beth in action

Now how do I get a "desk" like Beth's?

8. Cheese by the chunk. Or rather, cut fancy cheeses in the size you want station. No more searching through the already cut sizes to find the size you want, just head on up to the cheese area in the prepared foods section of the store.

Ah, beautiful, stinky cheese

9.  The handsome boys at the fish counter. Oh wait, I mean the freshly caught “fish of the day” stand next to the seafood counter. Not only do they have the regular seafood counter, a smoked fish SECTION, they also have an entire counter dedicated to the “fish of the day” where they are happy to help you learn how to prepare the fish if necessary.

"Catch" of the Day

10. And last but not least, the fact that Whole Foods provides the opportunity for you to donate at every chance possible. Right now they allow you the opportunity to round up your total bill with the difference in change benefiting the BVSD School Food Project.  There’s also a benefit concert at Whole Foods this Friday, August 19th at 5pm (suggested $15 donation) featuring members of Big Head Todd and the Monsters, which also benefits the BVSD School Food Project.  And finally, there’s the Whole Planet Foundation, which provides microloans to those in developing countries. You can either donate on their website or buy any product at Whole Foods with the Whole Planet Foundation logo on it and a portion of that sale will be donated. So now you can feel good about buying your $15 salad next time.



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