New Whole Foods To Shake Up Local Economy

The Whole Foods in Rocky River is set to open in September. Lawsuits filed by a neighborhood resident over zoning issues are not expected to delay the opening. It will be the first Westside store for the international chain and the third in the Northeast Ohio region. While health-food enthusiasts across the West side are eagerly anticipating the opening, the store is also entering a marketplace of high-end grocery stores in an area that is already fairly congested.

EarthFare, Heinen's, and Nature's Bin all have stores in close proximity to the new Whole Foods location. While shoppers will have a wide variety of options to choose from, all of these stores will be competing harder than ever for business. Ultimately, the large Whole Foods chain may end up taking out one its smaller competitors and taking business away from all of them.

An EarthFare location in Solon was closed in March 2014 after being open for less than a year. When a Giant Eagle Market District opened nearby, it caused a store that was already struggling to lose a significant portion of its business. Now the EarthFare in Rocky River will have to compete with its bigger, more well-known competitor. While Heinen's and Nature's Bin may retain some loyal supporters due to their local roots, EarthFare will have to find other ways to differentiate itself from Whole Foods.

While the new store will add jobs to the local economy, some of that growth may eventually come at the expense of job losses to its rivals. In addition to competing for customers, these stores will also be competing for employees. Current employees of Whole Foods' competitors may see an opportunity to get a raise, better job title, or more stability by seeking work at the new Whole Foods Store.  

While shoppers and jobs seekers can look forward to more opportunities when the new store opens, local competitors must be prepared for some difficult financial decisions when yet another grocery store enters the crowded marketplace.