Is Whole Foods Taking Over The Lenox Hill Food Emporium?

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — The Whole Food rumors are true...probably.

Upper East Siders for months have been gossiping that Whole Foods was set to take over the former home of Food Emporium on East 68th Street and Third Avenue.

The Jeff Bezos-owned enterprise remains tight-lipped about any plans for 1175 Third Ave., and workers at other Manhattan Whole Foods told Patch they had heard nada.

One person went as far as to call it "fake news."

But Upper East Site reported Wednesday that Whole Foods would indeed open another Upper East Side location 20 blocks downtown from the one on East 88th Street.

The Site reports renderings showing the Amazon-affiliate's signage, but it's not clear if that means a lease has been officially signed.

The property's leasing agency told Patch that while there were no updates, he hoped to share some news soon.

Permits to clear and prepare the space for future clients have been filed, according to Buildings department records.

A nearby doorman told Patch that all he's heard about at the site is Whole Foods, "for sure," he said.

But as if to offer another twist — he said he also heard that discount store Five Below might also share the commercial space.

A worker at a Manhattan Five Below store said that the shop would be opening at the address, and was eying a March 2024 opening date.