Why Whole Foods Can't Open in Rockville Centre

While profiling business around the village, some an interest in a Whole Foods opening in Rockville Centre.

Unfortunately for those residents, it won't be happening any time soon.

According to Michael Sinatra, a spokesman for Whole Foods, the world's leader in natural and organic foods has specific criteria for where it opens new locations. The criteria is:

• 200,000 people or more in a 20-minute drive time
• 25,000-50,000 square feet
• Large number of college-educated residents
• Abundant parking available for our exclusive use
• Stand alone preferred, would consider complementary
• Easy access from roadways, lighted intersection
• Excellent visibility, directly off of the street
• Must be located in a high traffic area (foot and/or vehicle)

Though Rockville Centre meets much of the organic supermarket chain's standards, the largest vacancies in the village are too small to open a Whole Foods.

The on Sunrise Highway is a 10,000 square-foot property, and the vacant Merrick Road is about 7,000 square-feet. The is smaller than both aforementioned properties.

Whole Foods needs 25,000 to 50,000 square feet to open a location.

Mayor Francis Murray he was "pretty sure" that Key Food will replace the on Ocean Avenue, but it is large enough to house a Whole Foods.

To submit a property for consideration, the chain's website directs those interested to follow these steps.