I thought it. What will one more grocery store do? Ok, I'll also admit it...I was an idiot. The new Whole Foods Market nestled in the new Millworks building is a great store. Not because the food is exceptional. Not because the prices are better than I feared they might be. No. What makes the new Novato Whole Foods Market exceptional is the service provided by the people working there. Everyone I have passed by has had a big genuine smile ready to offer. The knowledge of everyone I have ever asked a question of there has astounded me. The willingness of every employee I have encountered to go that extra mile to make sure your shopping experience is satisfying and complete has blown me away.
Real Estate is a service industry. What we have to offer is our skill, service, and market knowledge. When we are provided with outstanding skill, service and knowledge in return, we stand up and take note. Trust me, I never thought I'd be singing the praises of Whole Foods...but the praise is well deserved.
If you have children, be sure to join the kids club, your kids will be treated to healthy snacks courtesy of Whole Foods. Since there are so many foods to sample as you go through the store (and if you have a question about something not available for sample, they will cut one open for you!), we usually decide to get the snack as we are checking out to snack on on the way home.
I welcome the addition of Whole Foods to Novato. I appreciate their service and kind attitude. Carl and I always strive to provide the same with our service to you in Real Estate...
Top rate skill, knowledge and attitude. It makes a huge difference!
We look forward to serving you as your Real Estate Resource, and we are never too busy for your referrals!
Extra info and related articles:
The 124 condominiums turned apartments in the Millworks mixed-use project were completed last year, but the Whole Foods Market grocery store is set to open on Earth Day, April 22.
The City Council approved the project, rated for green-building features by the GreenPoint standard, in 2006 and construction started in 2008.
The project is breathing new life into historical downtown Novato, according to Ron Gerber, who is in charge of city redevelopment and economic development. The store is doubling the amount of shop and restaurant space among the 84 properties in the seven blocks of Grant Avenue, and the store will be open 90 hours a week instead of the typical 40 at many existing shops.
“It will double the square footage and be open more than twice as many hours,” Mr. Gerber said.
The store will employ about 130 and is becoming actively involved with the Downtown Novato Business Association. There could be up to 300 residents in the units when fully leased.
The units were advertised for sale before the strategy shifted in July to leasing after only two units sold. So far 60 percent are leased, at a rate of about 15 a month, according to Signature Properties President Mike Ghielmetti.
