Whole Foods Looks at Fall 2013 for Opening in Port Chester

After getting through the Port Chester planning and building review process, Whole Foods is getting ready to open its new store in Port Chester.

Whole Foods is expected to open in the fall, said company spokesman Michael Sinatra on Tuesday.

The "natural and organic" grocery store plans to move to the site of a former A&P store just off Boston Post Road.

The news about the popular chain coming to Port Chester was revealed as the grocery chain released its first quarterly report for 2012. Since then, the company has been going through the approval process to open the store.

Village officials said that details for the site and the new store have been approved by the Port Chester Planning Commission. Although Whole Foods operates a business similar to the former A&P, Port Chester Planning Director Chris Gomez said modifications to the building, the site and the inclusion of a dining area with more than 100 seats required detailed review by the village.

The Austin, TX-based chain has more than 340 stores in 39 states, the UK and Canada. It styles itself as a socially responsible business, offering natural and organic foods. There are more than 2,400 natural and organic products under the Whole Foods Market, 365 Everyday Value and Whole Catch brands.

The company employs more than 73,000 people after a humble start in 1980 with a store in Austin and a staff of 19.