Whole Foods opens in foodie Williamsburg

Grand opening

Whole Foods Market opened Tuesday in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood, bringing along a host of local food vendors and establishing another destination for foodies in one of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods.

It is the second Whole Foods store to open in Brooklyn and the first in Williamsburg, which draws food enthusiasts from around the city to the weekly Smorgasburg food festival a few blocks away. A neighboring Apple Store also opened Tuesday.

The 51,000-square-foot, two-level store offers Whole Foods’ typical array of natural and organic foods and service departments, in addition to a variety of unique dining and first-to-market store innovations, the Austin, Texas-based retailer said.

Coffee to go

A coffee and juice bar is the first thing shoppers encounter when entering the store from its entrance at Bedford and N. 4th streets.

WFM Food Hall

Pizza makers and other prepared food vendors populate the WFM Food Hall. Grab-and-go foods, a café and checkout are also on the street level.

Roll call

Sushi chefs at work in the WFM Food Hall.

This way

An escalator leads shoppers down to the market level. On opening morning, some shoppers found it difficult to locate the way back up (psst, it’s in the corner by the bakery). And in the produce department, a sign highlights value pricing of 365 private brands.

Breaking bread

A blue map icon identifies local items in the bakery, and in various departments throughout the store.

On tap

The N4 Taproom, referring to the address on North Fourth St., includes a variety of beers and a menu inspired by a Jewish delicatessen in a nod to Williamsburg’s heritage.

Flour power

A bulk flour department highlights artisan recipes.

Chop chop

A butcher works on fresh cuts of meat while his next task is hanging around.

Food to go

An Instacart shopper was busy preparing orders only minutes after the new store opened.

Kale yeah

Once downtrodden, Williamsburg today draws wealthy young families creatives and foodies Wegmans has announced plans to build about a mile away.

Living color

A variety of produce and strategic lighting makes for a colorful presentation in produce.

Whole Body

Cosmetics merchandised along a backlit brick wall in the Whole Body section.

Today’s catch

Fishmongers in flannel shirts staff a service seafood department.

Local hero

Brooklyn Brewery, which brews some of its product only blocks away, is highlighted in this display. If you want it cold there’s a 16-door cooler devoted to beer.

Say cheese

The cheese department also highlights local varieties.

Meat counter

The service meat counter highlights regional protein suppliers and value-added products.

Daily grind

A customer grinds her own almond butter.

Going Greek

Greek-style yogurt in multiple pack sizes was among the special offers.

What’s my line

Anticipating crowds similar to those that inhabit the Union Square Whole Foods a few L train stops away, the store uses a color-coded queuing system to aid a faster checkout.

Check it out

Cashiers at checkout. From here shoppers can ride an escalator to a parking garage or visit the café.