Whole Foods' Sudden Shutdown Shocks Shoppers
But newcomers are also moving into Fulham Broadway this summer
The closed up premises of the Whole Foods Market
June 24, 2024
Shoppers in Fulham Broadway were shocked to see the local branch of Whole Foods Market suddenly closed and shuttered earlier this month.
Though its parent company had announced in March that the Fulham store was earmarked for closure, its final shutdown came with little advance warning.
The quiet closure was in contrast to its launch, made with great fanfare in April 2014. Since then the “eco-minded” supermarket chain has been taken over by Amazon, but its high prices led to dwindling sales and the Fulham store had already reduced its trading space by closing its first floor.
Its store in Richmond has also closed this month, but the company insists it is still expanding elsewhere, with a new launch planned at the Chelsea end of Kings Road. It is also continuing to redevelop its flagship store in Kensington High Street.
The supermarket’s departure means another large empty space on Fulham Broadway, along with the former homes of the recently closed Barclays Bank, catering equipment store Nisbets and of course the much missed Wilko.
However, this summer does bring some positive news, with a number of newcomers set to move in. As we reported earlier this month, 49 Fulham Broadway, the former home of short lived Caribbean restaurant Mama’s Jerk, is soon to reopen as pizza restaurant Zia Lucia - its second in the borough alongside a branch in Hammersmith's Blythe Road.
It will be joined by Fish & Bubbles, a seafood restaurant and aperitivo bar which already has a branch in Notting Hill.
Run by brothers Peppe and Angelo Corsaro, the restaurant promises a unique Southern Italian experience with specialities including the"panino di mare", described as a traditional Italian rosetta bun, crunchy outside and soft inside, filled with classic homemade-style fish and seafood recipes, then creatively paired with gourmet ingredients such as the freshest tuna tartare with marinated courgette carpaccio, cacio e pepe basil cream and Apulian oozy stracciatella di Burrata.
Diners can also share the Aperifish, with"fritto misto al metro" , one metre of fried seafood & Italian delicacies served on a giant wooden board or "tagliere di mare", a two tier sharing board with many different fish tapas. From noon to 7 pm this will include a glass of Prosecco or the restaurant’s favourite Negroni.
Around the corner at 396 North End Road, close to Waitrose another imminent opening is Asian supermarket Starry Mart.
Starry Mart has been operating online for 15 years and has stores in Canterbury and Colchester, but this is its first foray into London.
With a range of products on offer from China, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, the company says: “ Committed to innovation, our Fulham location will introduce pioneering retail concepts such as NFC sake-tasting machines, Click and Collect services, and intelligent checkout systems.
“ Moreover, our stores will continue to offer an array of delectable options including lunch boxes, sushi, and specialty Asian bakery products.
“Our mission is to enrich London's cultural landscape by showcasing the diversity of Asian cuisine and traditions. Through food, we aim to foster cultural exchange and establish our branch as a hub for Asian culture.”
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