Store completes major remodel, adds poke bar, expanded craft beer, wine & spirits, all-day breakfast and more
TUSTIN, Calif., 2016-Nov-20 — /EPR Retail News/ — Whole Foods Market has partnered with Mendocino Farms to open a location inside its Tustin store at The District, opening Thursday, Nov. 17, at 2847 Park Avenue in Tustin. The restaurant opening coincides with the completion of a major remodel to the 60,500-square-foot store, with expanded product offerings and updates in almost every department.
Mendocino Farms is located in a new 140-seat dining area shared with the recently opened Hangar Bar. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., the location will offer its full menu of gourmet sandwiches and salads for lunch and dinner. Menu highlights include the Pork Belly Banh Mi, the Avocado & Quinoa Superfood Ensalada and the Not So Fried Chicken, a lighter version of a cold fried chicken sandwich with shaved free range chicken breast. All menu items are made on site and meet Whole Foods Market’s strict quality standards. From Nov. 17 through Dec. 4, sales from its limited edition short rib sandwich, created with local chef Yvon Goetz, will benefit the Tustin Public Schools Foundation. This is the first Mendocino Farms location within a Whole Foods Market store.
“It’s a great honor for us to anchor the prepared foods section of Whole Foods Market with a full-size Mendocino Farms,” said Mario Del Pero, co-founder of Mendocino Farms. “This newly remodeled location is now one of the best food halls in Orange County, and we are excited to be involved.”
Mendocino Farms and Hangar Bar anchor the store’s prepared foods and bakery departments, now offering in-house scratch bread made fresh daily, a taqueria, an all-day breakfast bar, self-serve pizza and vegan dishes, alongside the same wide selection of favorites and holiday items the store is known for.
“The store is designed to be a one-stop shop,” said Patrick Bradley, president of Whole Foods Market’s Southern Pacific Region. “From sushi and breakfast burritos, or even a full Thanksgiving meal and holiday gifts, to sandwiches from Mendocino and great craft beer from Hangar Bar – there are so many options, which was something we wanted for the community.”
Inspired by the blimp hangars in Tustin with a lattice ceiling and light fixtures that appear to be floating, Hangar Bar has 36 beers on tap, 12+ wines by the glass, signature craft cocktails, a Fall-inspired seasonal menu and daily specials. Offerings include jackfruit “crab” cakes, cauliflower nachos, an autumn squash and grilled apple salad, maple glazed pork belly, plus sushi, burgers and toasts like the “forest schroom” with almond ricotta sautéed baby kale, roasted garlic and Fresno chile. Hangar Bar offers a rotating selection of limited release local craft beers on draft and nitro served from a keg cooler enclosed by glass, so shoppers and diners can see the beers. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Additional store updates:
- Made-to-order-poke bar and expanded value pack in seafood
- Smoke & Fire wood fired grill experience – opening December 2017
- Huge beer and wine selection, featuring more than 850 types of beer, including local limited release offerings
- A dedicated pet food aisle
- Combined coffee and juice bar, with gelato and made-to-order Sambazon acai bowls
- Smokehouse menu in the meat department, plus expanded marinated and value section with expanded bacon, hot dogs and poultry
- Renovated beauty and body care department with a curated selection of premium body care items
- New bulk section for spices and teas
- Updated seating area in front of the store, with 80 additional seats
- Realigned aisles throughout the store for a more efficient shopping experience
Whole Foods Market Tustin will commemorate its grand reopening on Saturday, Dec. 3 at noon with a bread-breaking ceremony with team members, Mendocino Farms and the community. The store will host a “Family Fun Day” immediately following the ceremony and lasting until 3 p.m., with live music, games, food and beverage demos, sampling, a DJ and more.
For details on all upcoming events and activities, visit the store’s homepage, or follow the store on Facebook or @wfmorangecounty on Instagram.
Contact:
Beth Krauss
beth.krauss@wholefoods.com
510.428.7400
Source: Whole Foods Market