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Silver Lake Whole Foods Spinoff Might Have Tattoo Parlor Inside
Last June, Whole Foods announced a new concept chain titled "365," targeted at cost-conscious millennials who can’t quite afford to drop $20 on a dozen organic raspberries, but still want to eat food that has a modicum of quality to it.
The first of the 365 stores is slated to open this coming May in Silver Lake, according to an investor relations press release, where it will help all those cash-strapped 20-somethings dropping $2,200 each month for their one-bedroom apartments ensure sure their quinoa is both locally sourced AND affordable.
Of course, the 365 establishment-to-be will include more than just an array of ethical eats. Along with groceries, Whole Foods plans to infuse a burst of consumable variety into its stores by partnering with other local businesses through a program dubbed "Friends of 365." Friends of 365 will enable other retailers to build pop-up style establishments inside the market, hawking goods and services they believe the market's identity-conscious patrons will be interested in.
What kind of businesses does Whole Foods consider its friends? Well, according to the Friends’ website, “Friends of 365 may be any type of business — from food and drinks to fashion, body care products, services, and more. (Record shop? Tattoo parlor? Maybe!) And each 365 store may have a different mix of friends. The more variety, the merrier!”
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Why not throw in a flea market too? What about a Doc Marten outlet? After all, the more the merrier.
From the outside looking in, putting a 365 market in Silver Lake may seem like a no-brainer for Whole Foods. The neighborhood certainly has a reputation for being young and hip, the alleged demographic targeted by the 365 brand.
Yet paradoxically, Whole Foods’ announcement that Silver Lake deserved budget store bothered enough people to prompt an online petition, titled “Whole Foods! We want the REAL thing and not some budget 365!!!!” Apparently, 202 people ardently believe Whole Foods is vastly underestimating the financial ability of Silver Lake residents.
From the petition’s comments: “We totally have the money to buy whatever we want, and we just don't get why you people think we want to shop in common people's stores. I thought you guys hired people to, like, research our wants and needs. Oh my God.”
Omg.
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