Texan-based retailer Whole Foods will anchor a 74,326-square-foot shopping destination set to open in October 2012.
Developer Edens & Avant announced Friday that in January 2012 it would begin construction on Cross Hill Market to be anchored by Columbia’s first Whole Foods Market. The natural and organic food chain will occupy about 37,876-square-feet, over half, of the retail space in the new district.
The $23 million project will renovate the now defunct Kroger building as well as the space around it near the intersection of Devine Street and Fort Jackson Boulevard. In addition to Whole Foods, the developers plan to add 12 to 15 retail spaces, some of which will be national shops, brought by leveraging on the part of Whole Foods, and others that will be local and regional shops.
During the construction phase, which is slated to last from January until October, the project is expected to bring 100 temporary construction jobs. In addition, 180 full-time and 120 part-time jobs are expected to be brought to the area.
Whole Foods will provide direct competition to other organic food stores like EarthFare, but aims to form relationships with local organic farmers.