Whole Foods Market Opens Bigger, Better Location in Reston

By Ellyn Wexler, Staff Writer

Photo by Benjamin Burgess.

Hundreds of eager shoppers lined up along Fountain Drive to welcome the opening of Whole Foods Market’s brand-new Reston location on the morning of Aug. 6. The 46,711-square-foot store—nearly double the size of its predecessor on Plaza America Drive—ushers in a new era of grocery shopping with expanded offerings, smart technology, and a renewed commitment to local producers and community giving.

Shoppers who arrived early were rewarded for their enthusiasm. The first 300 received a reusable tote and a surprise discount worth up to $100. Another 500 customers got a limited-edition Dash Cart tote, celebrating the debut of Amazon’s smart cart technology that allows customers to scan items and skip the checkout line.

Inside, the store feels both vibrant and welcoming. Natural light floods wide aisles stocked with a curated selection of more than 400 local products—everything from produce and baked goods to beer and body care. Daniela D’Ambrosio, Whole Foods’ Local Forager for the Mid-Atlantic region, played a key role in bringing these local finds to the shelves. Through the grocer’s Local and Emerging Accelerator Program (LEAP), she helps small producers like Bon AppeSweet, Myles Comfort Foods, and One Trick Pony develop and scale up to meet Whole Foods’ high standards.

In the produce section, shoppers will find tomatoes, cucumbers, and zucchini from Lancaster Farms, eggplants from Superfood, and assorted vegetables from Color Orchids—all certified organic, conventional, or Sourced for Good. A full-service seafood counter features Ivy City Smokehouse’s smoked salmon and crabmeat from JM Clayton, while the butcher counter serves custom cuts and grass-fed beef from Grayson Farms.

The new store boasts a full-service coffee bar and expanded bakery stocked with vegan cakes from Sweet and Natural and pies and cookies from Whisked by Jenna. More than 220 craft beers and 530 wines line the beverage section, including selections from The Veil, Aslin Brewing, and Potter’s Cider.

Whole Foods Market continues to give back to its community. The Reston store supports Northern Virginia Food Rescue through its Nourishing Our Neighborhoods program and partners locally with Cornerstones and Anna Sudha Community Kitchens.

As D’Ambrosio reflects, “Growing our local selection means giving emerging producers a real shot—this new store allows us to do that in an even more meaningful way.”

At 1861 Fountain Drive, the new Reston Whole Foods Market is more than just a place to shop. It’s a community hub, a showcase for innovation, and a proud celebration of all things local.