Progress Made At Wayne Whole Foods, But No Opening Date Yet

WAYNE, NJ — Progress is being made at the Whole Foods Market under construction on Valley Road, but there still is no word about when the store might open.

The store is one of the most anticipated projects to come to Wayne since Mayor Chris Vergano announced the project on April 18, 2018.

Vergano said the township approved work the property landlord requested shortly after the Planning Board approved the application for the store. The Board of Adjustment issued a demolition permit and approved the construction plan shortly before Vergano's announcement. Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. owns the Valley Ridge Shopping Center.

It looks as though the inside of the building has been cleared out and waiting for construction crews to begin renovations, Vergano said. The back of the building has been knocked out and a small addition is being worked on.

"Whole Foods is now owned by Amazon, a billion dollar corporation," Vergano said. "They obviously have a construction plan for this store and that plan is certainly taking a while to complete."

The store will be bigger than initially anticipated. It will not only take over the former A&P it is replacing, but the former Subway restaurant next to it.

A Whole Foods Market Inc. spokesperson did not return a request for comment.

A Whole Foods spokesperson said in April that new store projects typically take a few years to develop as they "design each one to fit within its community."

Vergano addressed rumors circulating around town earlier this year that Whole Foods was pulling out of its lease because of too much red tape associated with the project.

"I can assure you that the township has done nothing to slow down the project, and we look forward to the grand opening someday in the future," Vergano said.

Related:

• Whole Foods Opening In Wayne
• Wayne Whole Foods Will Be Bigger Than Old A&P
• Wayne Whole Foods Store May Be 'Years' Away From Opening
• Mayor Addresses Rumors That Whole Foods Is Pulling Out Of Wayne

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com