In honor of the former occupant of the space, Whole Foods in Danbury has incorporated a "Burgers and Shakes" section to its prepared foods section.
"It's our own personal riff on The Dairy Bar, which we know used to be here," said Michael Sinatra, regional Whole Foods public relations officer. "It's just a small way for us to tip our cap to what this location always was. We're really proud to be here at this location."
The new Whole Foods is the main attraction at the Shops at Marcus Dairy, a retail development built on the site of Marcus Dairy and its beloved lunch counter eatery.
There will also be four tables made from one of Danbury's Charter Oak saplings, all done to celebrate the heritage and history of this area, Sinatra said.
"Every store has the power to buy from its own local growers," he said, which helps to keep the store more connected with the region's farms and producers.
Also unique to the Danbury Whole Foods, he said, will be a coconut water dispenser. Customers will be able to fill up their own containers with the coconut water in a similar fashion to the bulk section. A Make Your Own Noodle Bar and Make Your Own Sandwich Bar will also be new additions in the Danbury store.
As with all the stores, the meat and seafood sections are held to exacting standards. All the seafood for the Danbury store will come direct from docks in Massachusetts and are ensured to be sustainable, Sinatra said. The meats are held to a grading system that Whole Foods partners with Global Animal Partnership to ensure that the animals are treated fairly, he said.
The store will open for a traditional bread breaking at 8:30 a.m. Friday before the official opening at 9 a.m.
In celebration of the fact that the Danbury location is the 350th Whole Foods store, the first 350 customers will receive a free pound of chicken and a free pound of shrimp. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. the "Whole Body" Department will be holding an early bird sale.
As a way to honor Danbury and the surrounding areas, 5 percent days will be held to benefit local organizations On Friday, the Danbury Historical Society will be the beneficiary of 5 percent of all the sales made on opening day.
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