Whole Foods Englewood

Product Description

Whole Foods Englewood was part of a company-wide initiative based on the idea that everyone should have the opportunity to eat whole, healthy, and organic foods if they choose to do so. So when Whole Foods called us with the opportunity to design and build the store, we jumped at the opportunity. Not only is Englewood 555’s neighbor here on the South Side, but it’s an area in need of spaces where the local community to come together as one. 

Our main objective was finding ways to connect with the community through design. To begin, we dove deep into the history of Englewood, which was once the main entertainment district of Chicago. We began by creating an identity and brand guidelines for the store inspired by their flapper era roots, when Art Deco architectural styles reigned king.

From there we took guests on a visual journey through the area’s history, starting with a timeline painted on wood in the fresh produce section, peppered with bold typography and vibrant illustrations of fruits and veggies throughout. The store hosts several mini-shops within, each featuring a different tone of voice. We designed funky retro graphics and architectural details in the dairy section and a custom striped awning and signage at the butcher. We also infused the theme of entertainment throughout, which can be seen on marquee signage in the bakery.

To bring in the community, we hired local artists to assist with the painting of several murals within the store, which hosts events frequently for the surrounding neighborhood. Since Whole Foods Englewood opened, we believe that it’s bringing something unique to this evolving area of Chicago and look forward to what comes next.