First Local Whole Foods to Open April 13

Whole Foods Markets has announced that its newest store in the Shore area will open April 13 in Wall Township.

The high-end supermarket chain also operates stores in Marlboro and Middletown, but until the Wall location, none in close proximity to the Brick area. Whole foods is opening in the former Brielle Sports Club and Blockbuster Video stores in the Allaire Plaza shopping center, 1933 Route 35.

Mainardi Management Company, manager of Allaire Plaza, said in a statement that the Whole Foods store would occupy 40,000 square feet of space.

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At one time, Brick officials were hoping a high-end supermarket chain would consider opening a location at the former Foodtown site on Route 70, however market analysts at the time said such a decision was unlikely due to income levels being lower in Ocean County compared to Monmouth, and a high senior citizen population in Brick that would be statistically less likely to patronize a specialty supermarket than a more affluent, younger demographic.