Long Lines Await Opening of Whole Foods in the Financial District

A line of eager Whole Foods customers stretched from Wall Street nearly to Morris Street Wednesday morning of the store's opening day. Photo: Elizabeth Williams

A supermarket desert. That’s been the long-running neighborhood complaint by Financial District residents. But on Wednesday, with the opening of a Whole Foods at 66 Broadway in the 1 Wall Street building, they got their wish—and responded in a big way for the 8 a.m. opening.

“The line is crazy long. It runs from the door to almost Morris Street,” Financial District resident Elizabeth Williams said in an email to the Trib. 

Customers were further enticed to the 42,000-square-foot store by the offer of a free tote bag and $10 gift card to the first 200 shoppers, plus other giveaways, free samples and live entertainment.

In a statement, Whole Foods said it is making donations to The Battery Conservancy, Rethink Food, Foodbank NYC, and City Hall Park Conservancy.

Below, photos a wide selection of produce, including some of the store's 1,000 locally sourced items, and a self-service bread cutting machine.