Whereby my prayers are answered
Oh mercy me. Today I'm cooking a "Bouillabaisse, Florida Style" for Terry Tomalin's Gulf & Bay section. For this, I need a bunch of Florida seafood--clams, shrimp, grouper, stone crab. I got up and made my grocery list. I thought to myself, "Where can I go for one-stop shopping? Dang, sure wish there were a Whole Foods around here."
I called Wild Oats. A lady answers and says, "Whole Foods, may I help you?"
What?!
I was flummoxed and sputtering. I think she thought it was a crank call, like I was going to ask her if she had Prince Albert in a can.
How has Wild Oats quietly, secretly, craftily become a Whole Foods right under my nose (alright, it's a big nose)? (Food editor Janet Keeler then told me that the business section had a story about this months ago. But still.)
I know Michael Pollan doesn't like Whole Foods. Fine, Michael, enjoy the Piggly Wiggly or whatever. For me, Whole Foods' cheese selection, meats and sausages, boutique produce (blood oranges, abundant wild mushrooms), dried pastas--it all makes me happy in my heart.
The change occurred two weeks ago and they are slowly sweeping out all the Wild Oats products and ushering in the Whole Foods ones.
I'm going shopping. If you need me, I'll be at 1548 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, FL 33607. (813) 874-9435.
"He who distinguishes the true savor of his food can never be a glutton; he who does not cannot be otherwise." 
Well, shuck my corn! Who knew? This is even in my "neighborhood" and I didn't realize ... of course, maybe I was more intent on the parking lot for Total Wine and More. Yes, that's where my priorities are!
Posted by: A. Smedley | October 24, 2007 at 10:29 AM
i knew this was all going down by reading the acquisition stories, but it has been very unclear what it would mean to individual stores. even recent visits to wild oats have left it unclear, as they had a sign at the checkout that basically said, "we don't know yet, either." but on my last visit, i started seeing some 365 organics products (whole foods' house brand) and all the employees were wearing whole foods baseball caps. so it seemed good news.
i don't know that that store is big enough to be a REAL whole foods, tho, so i remain skeptical. maybe they can take over petsmart.
Posted by: jim webster | October 24, 2007 at 03:28 PM
WHOLE PAYCHECK ... but, yes, my favorite store (next to Andronicos in San Anselmo, CA). You usually have to do some NFL style running back shoulders to weave through the yuppies! I save up some good flatus so I can clear my aisle as I go.
Posted by: Richard Guzinya | October 24, 2007 at 09:37 PM
I'm holding out for Trader Joe's
Posted by: kathy | October 25, 2007 at 11:40 AM
I'm with Kathy, I love Trader Joe's. On their website they have a place where you can suggest a location. I know I've suggested a few times, hopefully they'll start looking at Florida!
Posted by: Terri | October 25, 2007 at 12:59 PM
Laura, did they forward your calls to the homeopathic aisle?
Can't believe you didn't know about this. Much written about it...the only question was the exact timing of the local store's transition.
As a frequent visitor to the West Coast, I too am a member of the Trader Joe's fan club. They have less variety but their quality is just as good, prices are lower, and service much more efficient and friendlier (You will never see less than 3 lanes open).
Posted by: jimbo | October 26, 2007 at 02:46 PM