Whole Foods' Arrival In Islip 'An Exciting Milestone' In The Community, Islip Town Supervisor Says

HOLBROOK, NY — Customers flocked in droves to Whole Foods at The Shoppes at SunVet in Holbrook for its grand opening celebration on Thursday, in what Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter is calling "an exciting milestone in the community."

The 43,000-square-foot store is the eighth location of its kind on Long Island. Its decor is inspired by the island's culture, combining a unique blend of history, arts, and coastal lifestyle.

Subscribe

Customers enjoyed samples from NAVAD Bakers, and coffee from Sail Away Coffee Co. The first 300 customers in line received a limited-edition tote bag and a Secret Saver coupon, featuring savings of up to $100 off.

Other features of the store include a prepared foods department, an array of certified organic, conventional, and fresh produce and floral items, a specialty department dedicated to celebrating cheesemakers and artisan producers, and a curated grocery section filled with exclusive brand favorites and products from local suppliers.

It also includes a seafood counter with sustainable wild-caught or responsibly farmed fish, which provides expert fishmonger service, ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat meal solutions, and a variety of packaged smoked items.

There's a full-service meat counter, an extensive selection of 290 craft beers and ciders, 85 of which are local to the Northeast, and a bakery department offering bread baked fresh daily as well as everyday favorites.

The store also carries a wide variety of special diet items, a wellness and beauty department with a range of body care, beauty, lifestyle, and supplement products.Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter called welcoming the market to the town "an exciting milestone for our community."

"This investment not only expands healthy food options for our residents, but also brings new jobs, increased economic activity, and another vibrant destination for families and shoppers," she said. "We are proud that a nationally respected brand like Whole Foods has chosen to grow here, and we look forward to the positive impact it will have on our local economy and quality of life."

The store has more than 900 local items from the Northeast region, sourced with the help of John Lawson, forager for Local and Emerging Brands at the market, officials said.

The store's team leader, Carlos Osorio, said he has spent most of his 23-year career at the market's Jericho location, where he has "helped build a community" with customers and team members."

"I am honored to have the opportunity to build that same connection at this beautiful new store in Holbrook," he said. "We look forward to opening our doors to this wonderful community."

Prime members who shop at the store have access to a number of benefits year-round, including deep discounts on select popular products each week and an additional 10 percent off hundreds of in-store sale items.

Customers can also pay in-store with the Whole Foods Market or Amazon app. The store will accept Amazon returns, and grocery pickup will be available shortly after opening.

Other features of the store include hot food and salad bars with a rotating menu of comfort foods and seasonal options, such as fresh pizza by the slice, or by the whole pie, and gourmet sandwiches and sushi rolled fresh daily by Genji.

It also features organic food sourced from Good.

Its produce and floral items meet the market's Pollinator Health Policy to reduce the use of chemical pesticides.

There are also local items with packaged herbs from Goodness Gardens, Starling Purple Sweet Potato from Row 7 Seed Co., and SnapDragon apples from Hudson River Fruit.

The specialty department is dedicated to celebrating cheesemakers and artisan producers, and includes a cheese counter overseen by trained cheesemongers, including a Certified Cheese Professional, who can offer recommendations for any occasion and create custom boards.

Local options include fresh mozzarella from Lioni Latticini, Inc., specialty chocolate from Fine and Raw Chocolate, and pesto from Gotham Greens.

The curated grocery section filled with exclusive brand favorites and products from local suppliers, including Backyard Brine, The Hamptons Honey Company, Black Seed Bagels, and Loopini Protein Pizza.

Its meat counter features animal welfare-certified selections, expert butchers available to cut steaks and poultry to order, and in-house fresh sausage and marinated and seasoned meats for quick and easy meals.

The animals are not raised with antibiotics.

Local options include bacon from Wellshire, chicken sausage from Bilinski’s, and pork sausage from Brooklyn Cured.

There is also an extensive selection of 290 craft beers and ciders, 85 of which are local to the Northeast. Local options include Money IPA from Barrier Brewing Co., Wolf Hound Nitro Irish Stout from Flagship Brewing Co., and Dry Rose Cider from Wolffer Estateopens.

Bakery department carries favorites like Berry Chantilly Cake and brown butter cookies, and local offerings like Junior’Cheesecake from Brooklyn, mini muffins from Abe’s, and breads from Balthazar Bakery.