whole foods? - Page 4 - PhillyBlog

buildhigh · #31 (**permalink**) 08-15-2008, 02:08 PM

I spoke with the PM from our building (640) this week and yes they are doing preliminary demo work in the Wilkie right now. As of now five stores are set to open including Taders Joe's and a Capogiro.

Quote:

Originally Posted by R8CHEL

It's rumor for right now. I heard it last year when a friend told me he spoke to someone at the suburu dealership who told him that there was a trader joes coming. I've also heard it was supposed to be a practice space for some sports team or something but we'll see. I looked on Trader Joe's website and they don't list it as a "Coming Soon" location yet so unless I see it there, I'll consider it rumor. But I'd be ecstatic if they opened one there.

Bryson662001 · #32 (**permalink**) 08-15-2008, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimharp

Does anyone know more about this? Is this a rumor or is a Trader Joe's at this location definitely happening? That would be totally awesome.

KIM

While it is true that every neighborhood want's, and could probably support a TJ, It would be completely against their business plan to have two stores so close together. You have a better chance of seeing Neiman Marcus on that spot. (thus my earlier joke)

R8CHEL · #33 (**permalink**) 08-15-2008, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buildhigh

I spoke with the PM from our building (640) this week and yes they are doing preliminary demo work in the Wilkie right now. As of now five stores are set to open including Taders Joe's and a Capogiro.

If that's true then that's fantastic news.

A while ago I read that the sandwich/coffee shop Academia was supposed to open in the 640 Lofts but I don't see any reference to it on their site. Is that true?

Titus · #34 (**permalink**) 08-15-2008, 05:51 PM

Like Bryson, I find it hard to believe that they'd have another store so close to 22nd & Market, though I'd be there every day.

Trader Joe's or not the location bears watching, but with Ben Franklin High next door, I wonder if it won't be more hoagie shops.

KByrd · #35 (**permalink**) 08-18-2008, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus

Like Bryson, I find it hard to believe that they'd have another store so close to 22nd & Market, though I'd be there every day.

Trader Joe's or not the location bears watching, but with Ben Franklin High next door, I wonder if it won't be more hoagie shops.

Well... let's hope whoever goes in that spot sees the point of catering to people who actually LIVE
in the immediate area instead of worrying about patronizing kids from the surrounding
schools who are, let's face it, transients.

We don't need more hoagie shops nearby!

KByrd · #36 (**permalink**) 08-18-2008, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niel

According to Illiniwek, who lives in the vicinity, they have been doing a fair amount of work in recent weeks moving utility lines from underneath the 16th & Vine lot into the street, presumably to make way for excavation for this building. But I agree that 2009 seems highly unlikely at this point.

I live in the vicinity too and the only construction I've see along 16th St is
on the SW corner of 16th and Spring Garden.

There was what looked like moves of utility lines about a year ago along
17th St at Franklintown Blvd. though but nothing since that I've seen.

Jayfar · #37 (**permalink**) 08-18-2008, 08:46 PM

also posted in Center City thread for 1601 Vine

On agenda for Planning Commission meeting, Tue 1pm

http://www.planphilly.com/node/3696

Quote:

An “information only” presentation for the proposed large-scale development for the north side of Vine Street between 16th and 17th Streets by Grasso Holdings is on the agenda. The $320 million endeavor, which has undergone various incarnations over the years, is to include a large Whole Foods supermarket and a Best Buy. There is also a 40-story, 268-room luxury hotel (Intercontinental), with apartments and condominiums on the upper floors.

A bill detailing encroachments needed for the Grasso development was passed by City Council on June 5 and signed by Mayor Nutter on June 18: http://webapps.phila.gov/council/attachments/5431.pdf