Whole Foods Breaks Ground on Chicago Distribution Center

The new facility will serve as many as 70 Whole Foods Market locations across the Midwest.

By Ioana Neamt

Whole Foods Market headquarters, Austin, Texas

Whole Foods Market headquarters, Austin, Texas

Chicago—Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined Whole Foods Market officials as the company broke ground on its new 150,000-square-foot Midwest distribution center in South Side Chicago last week. Whole Foods is relocating its current distribution center in Munster, Ind., to Chicago’s historic Pullman neighborhood. The facility is scheduled for completion in early 2018, and is set to initially employ 150 people and serve as many as 70 Whole Foods Market locations across the Midwest and Ontario, Canada.

“There is a renaissance happening in Pullman and this Whole Foods center will only make it stronger,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement. “By investing in our neighborhoods and supporting projects like this distribution center, we are creating economic opportunities for families throughout Chicago.”

Plans for the project were revealed in the spring. Whole Foods’ new facility will join two of its suppliers, Method and Gotham Green, in the bustling Pullman neighborhood. A number of developments are currently underway in the neighborhood, including the $135 million Pullman Park retail project and a $15 million community center.

“With major projects like this Whole Foods distribution center, the Pullman/Roseland area is reclaiming its history as a thriving hub for manufacturing and innovation,” said 9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale. “As this facility grows it will add even more jobs and have an even stronger impact in the 9th ward.”

Image courtesy of the Whole Foods Market Facebook page

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