Whole Foods Market plans to open its first Chesterfield County store at 8 a.m. on Thursday, November 19, 2026, at 1051 Steam Avenue in Midlothian. The 37,636-square-foot grocery anchors Midlothian Depot, the new retail and residential development at Midlothian Turnpike and Alverser Drive.
The opening puts a date on a project that has been drawing national brands to the Route 60 corridor. Whole Foods says the store will carry more than 390 local items from Virginia and neighboring states, which gives regional food and beverage producers a new shelf in Chesterfield County. It will be the company's third store in greater Richmond and its 17th in Virginia.
At a glance
What: Whole Foods Market's first store in Chesterfield County
Where: 1051 Steam Avenue, Midlothian, in Midlothian Depot at Midlothian Turnpike and Alverser Drive
When: Thursday, November 19, 2026, at 8 a.m.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Size: 37,636 square feet
Who: India Lawal, Store Team Leader
Developer: SJC Ventures of Atlanta, led by principal Jeff Garrison
Leasing: Bryan Davis and Ray Schupp of H&R Retail
Local products on the shelves
Whole Foods worked with Lillian Huber, its Forager for Local and Emerging Brands, to build the store's local selection. Named suppliers include Blanchard's Coffee Roasting Co., Don Sebastián salsas, Blue Ridge Bucha kombucha, Whisked by Jenna cookies, Ivy City Smokehouse, Jimmy's Famous Seafood and LaBelle Patrimoine Heritage Chicken. The beverage department plans to offer about 350 wines and more than 270 craft beers and ciders, including Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, The Virginia Beer Co. and Potter's Craft Cider.
The company says the store's design draws on Virginia's Colonial architecture, using locally sourced wood, stone and brick.
Opening morning
Whole Foods plans samples from local and national suppliers on opening morning. The first 300 customers in line are set to receive a limited-edition Midlothian tote bag and a Secret Saver coupon worth up to $100 off. The company also plans food and monetary donations to Community Access & Supportive Services (CASS). Grocery Pickup is expected shortly after the store opens.
The rest of Midlothian Depot
The project includes 87,500 square feet of retail on a 13-acre site, with about $100 million in total estimated cost. Richmond BizSense reported in October 2026 that Cheba Hut and an AT&T location were already open. Garrison told BizSense that many more businesses should open around the same time as Whole Foods.
Expected before the end of 2026: Dave's Hot Chicken, Turning Point, Pure Green, J.Crew, Warby Parker, Petfolk and Lovesac
Also planned: VIO med spa, Inspire nail salon, Wonder, Paris Baguette, Blue Fish Grill, Bibibop and Woof Gang
Of the demand from tenants, Garrison told BizSense: "It's a great corridor, it's only getting better."
Eastwood Homes is building 60 for-sale townhomes on the site. Seven were finished as of October 2026, including the model. The homes run 1,900 to 2,300 square feet on three to four stories, with prices starting in the high $500,000s.
What to watch
Opening day. November 19 is the first test of how the store draws shoppers to this stretch of Midlothian Turnpike.
Neighboring openings. The tenants expected by year end will show how much of the center is open during the 2026 holiday season.
Local suppliers. The shelves will show which area producers gain a new outlet in Chesterfield County.
Townhome sales. Progress beyond the first seven finished homes will show how the residential side of the project is moving.
Read more
Whole Foods sets opening date for first Chesterfield store, Richmond BizSense, October 23, 2026
New Whole Foods Market in Midlothian, Virginia, to open November 19, Whole Foods Market news release, October 21, 2026
Midlothian Depot: Chesterfield's First Whole Foods Is Coming to Alverser Drive, MBA News, background on the site and its zoning
Sourcing note: The opening date, hours, address, square footage, Store Team Leader, local products, design, opening-morning plans, donations and store count are from Whole Foods Market's October 21, 2026 news release. The first-in-Chesterfield status, tenant list, leasing brokers, developer comments and townhome details are from Richmond BizSense, October 23, 2026. Project cost and site size are from Richmond BizSense, January 6, 2025. Earlier reports described the store as about 36,000 square feet; this post uses the 37,636-square-foot figure from Whole Foods. Neither source gave a job count for the store or opening dates for individual tenants, and those details have not yet been determined.
Last updated November 6, 2026.