Brooklyn's First Whole Foods: It's Really Happening!

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

According to Brownstoner, Whole Foods just confirmed that it is indeed going to open a Brooklyn location on the haunted-looking plot of land at 3rd Street and 3rd Avenue in Gowanus. The property doesn't just feel like it's harboring zombies—it's plagued with real environmental issues that have nearly killed the Whole Foods deal countless times since it was first suggested in 2005. But much like the mutant undead that may or may not occupy the site's neglected landmark building, Whole Foods couldn't be stopped, and now it's announced its triumph via a letter to Brooklyn Community Board 6.

Specifics from Crain's: The store will be 52,000 square feet, making it about 25% smaller than the original plan. Whole Foods also reduced the number of parking spaces from 430 to 248—worth noting since Gowanus isn't known for its public transportation. Instead of parking, the roof will feature a 20,000-square-foot greenhouse for organic produce. As for the Zombie Hut, Whole Foods plans to build around it, since they don't own it. They will, however, fix up the exterior, give it a new roof, and offer whatever unholy creatures dwell within a lifetime of kale if they promise not to eat anyone's brains.
· BREAKING: Gowanus Whole Foods Confirmed! [Brownstoner]
· NYC's Top 11 Frightening Buildings (Ghosts Not Included!) [Curbed NY]
· Tentative opening set for first Bklyn Whole Foods [Crain's]