PHOTOS: Whole Foods Opens In Harlem, Draws Large Crowds

HARLEM, NY — Add Harlem to the ever-growing list of New York City neighborhoods with a Whole Foods Market. The health-conscious grocery store opened its newest location Friday morning — a massive 40,000-square-foot store on the corner of West 125th Street and Lenox Avenue.

Large crowds of people were ready to shop when Whole Foods opened its doors at 9 a.m. Friday. Whole Foods has built a reputation for its fresh produce and its healthy pre-made offerings, but also for its high prices.

The promise of high-quality products brought Harlemites and out-of-neighborhood visitors alike to the new grocery store Friday to see what it has to offer. The Lenox Avenue store will feature Whole Foods' usual grocery options including fresh produce and prepared foods as well as an expansive salad bar and vendors dishing out products such as coffee, cuban sandwiches, pizzas and baked goods.

Harlem resident Herve Coeur told Patch that he thinks the Whole Foods will generate a lot of business from both local shoppers and people coming in from other neighborhoods. Coeur disagreed with the idea that the area is lacking grocery stores, but added that other area supermarkets don't have the established reputation of a Whole Foods, saying they don't match the "level of quality" of Whole Foods products.

The new grocery store received high marks from many shoppers impressed by the market's vast selection, the quality of produce and the overall look of the store.

Harlem resident Robert Goldberg said that he likes the Harlem Whole Foods' design more than other "bland" Whole Foods he has visited in the past.

Take a walk through the Harlem Whole Foods by watching this video:

Whole Foods has pledged to support local businesses and community organizations in Harlem.

The store has agreed to sell products from about 20 brands with Harlem roots including Sylvia’s, Egunsi Foods and the Harlem Pie Man. Whole Foods will also make donations to NYC Food Pantry's Harlem location three times a week and will feature a collage created by A. Philip Randolph High School students in its cafe.

"We are thrilled to serve the historic and vibrant Harlem community, where I personally have many fond childhood memories," Damon Young, a store team leader said in a statement.

Check out more photos of Harlem's Whole Foods Market below:

Photos by Patch