WHOLE FOODS MAUI EXPECTED TO CREATE 140 NEW JOBS

Maui’s first Whole Foods Market is expected to create 140 new jobs within the community when it opens in Kahului next year.

The Whole Foods Market on Maui is under construction and is slated to open at The Maui Mall in the spring of 2010. Photo by Wendy Osher.

The 26,266 square foot store at the Maui Mall is set to open on schedule in the Spring of 2010, becoming the brand’s second Hawaii location.

The company opened its first Hawaii store at the Kahala Mall in September 2008 and has plans for two additional Oahu Stores in the future.  The Ward Centers location is scheduled to open next year, and the Kailua store is scheduled to open in the fall of 2010.

Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market is recognized for its natural and organic selection.  It became America’s first national certified organic grocer, and was named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” in 2008 by Health magazine.

The company also announced today the selection of Ray Stockton as the Maui store’s team leader.

Stockton, who has overseen operations at Whole Foods Market’s Kahala Mall store since its opening in September 2008, will transition to Maui and be responsible for managing daily operations, purchasing and customer service.

Prior to joining Whole Foods Market, Stockton worked at Gelsons Market in Pacific Palisades, California. He has been with Whole Foods Market for four years.

“I look forward to working with the Maui community and introducing them to Whole Foods Market’s natural and organic selection and variety of great local products,” said Stockton.

In fiscal year 2008, the company had sales of $8 billion and currently has more than 275 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

(Story and Photos by Wendy Osher © 2009)