A New FL Whole Foods Store Is "In Development." Signs Point To An Empty Fresh Market Near A Publix

Photo byChadPerez49, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

All Floridians have to eat, which means that most of us will have to frequent Florida's many grocery store chains. And there are plenty of choices. The grocer you choose may depend on what you value the most. Floridians who live in Valrico and value healthy choices and fresh produce may be happy to know that a Whole Foods is reportedly "in development" in their city.

What's So Special About Whole Foods In Florida?: Unfortunately, not all Floridians who wish to shop at Whole Foods have access to one. There are only around 33 in the entire state.

Floridians who value organic and natural products may welcome a new Whole Foods. Some Floridians who have shopped there give it high reviews. A Tampa mid-town location earns 4 out of 5 stars on Yelp. Many describe high-quality choices and good customer service.

A reviewer named Keena writes, in part:

"...As a market, I can appreciate the variety of water, juice, veggies and non-GMO items I can choose from. One policy of Whole Foods was to ban hundreds of ingredients from the food they sell (high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, etc.) I feel as though I'm always eating fine quality even if I only purchase gourmet cookies and cheesecake. This store's dairy section is a top marker in my opinion. And the selection of poultry and beef is neat, clean, and well-displayed. (The cleanliness is what's important to me...)"

The New, Upcoming Whole Foods: A spokesperson for Whole Foods reportedly told the Tampa Business Journal that a Valrico store is "in development."

Additionally, plans recently filed with Hillsborough County show a 38,000-square-foot Whole Foods Market at Lithia Crossing, where a prior Fresh Market still sits empty.

And there's an additional clue. Kite Realty owns Lithia Crossing. The webpage for that shopping center indicates that a new anchor store is "opening soon." A map on the website also shows that the shopping center is next to a Publix, Chili's, and Cold Stone Creamery.

The author is not affiliated with Whole Foods, Publix, Chili's, Cold Stone Creamery, or any other grocers or retailers.