Whole Foods opens in Schererville Sept. 23

Texas-based Whole Foods Market plans to open its long-awaited Schererville location, the first in Northwest Indiana, on Sept. 23.

The organic supermarket will have a restaurant and grill that will offer customers hot meals all day.

The store will also feature more than 200 varieties of seasonal, organic and local produce, and more than 50 varieties of sustainably harvested seafood. Whole Foods will have a vast array of vegetarian and vegan choices, Whole Trade Guarantee fresh-cut flowers, natural vitamins and a "robust and exciting" selection of olives, antipasti and charcuterie.

"At Whole Foods Market, we have a deep passion for fresh, flavorful natural and organic foods and we are elated to open a store in Northwest Indiana," said Brent Strayer, Whole Foods Market Schererville Store team leader.

The store, which employs around 150, will feature restaurant-quality prepared foods, a salad bar, a hot food bar, and specialty sushi rolls, including those made with brown or whole grain rice. Pizza and paninis will also be available for a quick meal.

Whole Foods will have a bulk department; natural body-care items; foods from around the world; a catering service; and a bakery that will make croissants, cookies, muffins, pretzels, cakes and more.

Shoppers will be able to refer to educational information, such as Health Starts Here recommendations on how to eat healthy and the Global Animal Partnership's 5-Step Animal Welfare Rating system that offers detailed information about how the farm animals were raised.

"We hope our longtime and new shoppers will enjoy the conveniently located Schererville store, stocked with high-quality meats, poultry, seafood, everyday pantry staples and much more," Strayer said.

"This store is designed to appeal to the health enthusiasts, devoted foodies and shoppers looking for food in its purest state, with no artificial colors, sweeteners and preservatives."

The store will include 200 varieties of cheese, about 100 fewer than the newly renovated Schererville Strack & Van Til, which has added a hummus bar, a juice bar and high-end wines to compete.

Whole Foods is often derisively referred to as "Whole Paycheck" for its perceived high prices, after an investigation in New York City found it overcharged customers by overstating the weight of various pre-packaged products. Shareholders have since filed a class action lawsuit accusing the grocer of routinely overcharging, misrepresenting its value on the stock market.

Whole Foods said its new Schererville store will feature its lower-priced 365 Everyday Value line. The supermarket chain also is launching a cheaper spin-off called 365 in cities such as Portland.

The new 40,000-square-foot store at 199 U.S. 41 in Schererville will officially open at 9 a.m. Sept. 23.

The first 500 customers will get a mystery gift card valued between $5 and $50, while one will get one for $500.