Photos: Noe Valley Whole Foods Grand Opening

Bread Breaking Ceremony

Parking Lot Stencil

More Reasons to Feel Good for Shopping at WF

Allegro Coffee

The Hoards Hordes Enter

The Ruckus

Across the Street: Real Foods as Anti-Whole Foods Billboard

Room For Double-Wides

There were about 100 people in attendance this morning at the Whole Foods bread breaking ceremony at 9:45. Bevan Dufty put in an appearance although he arrived late - and shortly after 10:00 cars were already rolling into the parking lot.

T Minus ...

Announced: Pixie Hall Studios

Andiamo's Deli has "gone fishing" and a new sign proclaims Pixie Hall Studios, Art Classes for Children is "coming soon." No more information available at this time. But the real question: where are you going to get your meatballs?

District 8 Supervisor Candidate Scott Wiener Discovers Noe Valley

"I’ve always spent a lot of time in Noe Valley, since I live just a few blocks away from it, but in the past few years I’ve come to appreciate more and more how culturally rich and vibrant a place it is and how tight knit it is." Read: OMG there are a lot of voters on the other side of the hill! Welcome to the neighborhood, Scott! Thanks for stopping by during your bid for Supervisor.

[SW2010: Noe Valley — great weekend in a great neighborhood]

Friday Night Surprises on 24th Street

Whole Foods: Big surprise party in the parking lot this evening – tons of food/snacks, a band and a tapas truck. No booze, just kombucha. There were store tours for people with the right pass, and freebie bags full of healthy junk food (more than a few people left the bags on 24th Street benches and ledges for scavengers).

Green11: An early opening tonight to catch some of the Whole Foods festival foot traffic. It's cute (and tiny).

Starbucks: Workers were still toiling away on the design refresh; they’re going to be there all night. Contractor overheard out front: "We will be opening on time tomorrow AM."

Coming Soon: Mystery Store: New store opening in the Simply Chic space. The hipster dude inside says the name is still a secret but will be revealed next week. Opening mid October-ish, the store will be selling “unique gifts” and “unusual cool things” in time for the holidays. Update (9/27): They told us today they'll feature "spiritual items" by local artists, giving us the impression they meant "crystals." But then maybe we're a bit skeptical anywhere near a psychic.

Urban Cellars: Open for business again.

[NVSF: Whole Foods Secret Pre-Opening Celebration]
[NVSF: Coming Soon: Green 11]
[NVSF: Urban Cellars: Closed By ABC]

Moving: Noe Valley's Most Famous D-Bag

Except for the occasional hate mail for daring to mention his name, we haven't heard anything of Stephen Fowler since his notorious stint on Wife Swap. Now he's moving on - his 6 bedroom, 4.5 bath, 4400sf home at 4218 25th St is for sale for a little under $3M. Check out The Front Steps for details.

[TFS: Wife House Swap San Francisco, Stephen Fowler Moving On…]
[NVSF: Fowling Noe Valley]

Blue church: Slated For Demo

Word from Felicia is that the Blue Church's days are numbered:

Yesterday the "Blue Church" (Church at San Francisco) located at 28th and Church was boarded up by the sheriff's department and an eviction notice posted. Folks living at the church were given notice several weeks beforehand, however a number refused to leave. The Sheriff's department were to allow them to reenter the building today to gather their belongings. The word is that demolition should begin in 2-3 weeks time.

Longtime residents will recall that this project has been in limbo since the current tenant accused neighbors of racism, sold to the current developer and then sued the developer for fraud. A permit for condo development has been on hold since then, and neighbors have complained about illegal construction and lodging (of homeless) within the church. And that lock on the bathroom door at Martha & Bros? Residents of the Blue Church were 'showering' in the bathroom.

[NVV: Fed-Up Pastor Sells Church to Condo Developer]
[NVV: Rumors: That Blue Church]

Whole Foods Secret Pre-Opening Celebration

We've received a copy of this email from about a dozen people already, so we're passing it on. Many of you have had some strong opinions about Whole Foods opening and have made it to various community meetings.

We are eagerly awaiting our opening next week on Wednesday, September 30th ! We have been working hard and are so delighted that we’re almost there! Further, we feel incredibly grateful for the support, well wishes, humor, smiles and hospitality that our new community has shown us! As a very small token of our thanks, we’d like to invite you to join us at our very own “Whole Foods Market Tapas Truck” on Saturday, September 26th from 11a-2p (really it’s a Taco Truck, but we’ll be serving Spanish Tapas—but you can’t miss it in our parking lot.)

This is a special invitation ONLY event for our neighbors in the associations that we have been working with.

Have a look at the attached & either print a copy of this to bring with you or contact me so that I can get you printed copies that I have here at the store.

Any question, please ask—we’ll see you very soon!

Best regards,

Jennifer Dobrowolski
Marketing Team Leader
Whole Foods Market, Noe Valley

Click the image for a full-size invitation.