According to USA Today, Whole Foods is opening bars that serve craft beer and local wine in more than a dozen stores nationally in a test before a wider roll-out. In the past 18 months, small, locally focused bars have opened inside five Whole Foods Markets in California, and two each in Arizona, Illinois and Texas, among others. Earlier this month, it opened one inside its flagship store in Austin.
By 2012, the 305-store chain plans to open at least seven more bars-even one in Hawaii, says co-CEO Walter Robb. “Coming out of the recession, people are looking for affordable luxuries and more intimate experiences,” he said.
Bars inside Whole Foods would be a relatively low-cost way to make a lot of money, according to grocery industry analysts. Not only will it bring in more customers, but it will keep them there longer and boost highly profitable sales of wine and beer. Veteran supermarket consultant Howard Solgnaik said, “It achieves everything Whole Foods is trying to achieve.”
The newest Whole Foods bar is in Austin, with about 20 seats, as part of a store remodel. It’s a semi-circle in the middle of the store. The bar offers beer and wine by the glass for $4 to $10, or growler jugs starting at $6.99.
