Whole Foods Market first store in the Buffalo area opened for business Friday morning, in Northtown Plaza, in Amherst.
Store Team Leader, Mark Wilkins says, they're getting a warm reception from the community and the aisles have been full of customers. Wilkins says Whole Foods is the nation's leading organic grocer.
"We also work with our own fish distribution center in Gloucester, Massachusetts. This store particularly has a good local accent. We have well over 30 local brands here. We have a bar 1818, which is named after the Town of Amherst was established in 1818, serving burgers, milkshakes, wines, beer," Wilkins said.
The company is known for it's high prices. But Wilkins says they offer many ways to save. And he points out, that Whole Foods is under new ownership.
"We have many prices that have been lowered through our acquisition with Amazon. If you're shopping on a budget as well, bulk buying, private label buying. [Shoppers] really need to come in and really compare our pricing," Wilkins said.
As part of the "company's commitment to the local community" 5% of Friday's net sales will benefit the Massachusetts Avenue Project's new Farmhouse on Buffalo's West Side. Whole Foods' entrance into the local market created about 165 new jobs.