Whole Foods Uptown opens Wednesday at 9 a.m. — 6 quick things to know

Whole Foods Uptown, located at 400 E. Stonewall Street, officially opens at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 13.

The 36,000-square-foot store looks and feels like any Whole Foods you’ve ever been in, assuming you’re already familiar with the brand, but it’s a game changer in the Charlotte grocery game given the previous lack of options in the heart of the city.

That is, of course, unless you’re a fan of that soul-sucking Harris Teeter on W. 6th. Good riddance, sir.

As a fringe Uptown dweller, I’m thrilled for the new addition. Here’s what to know.

They’re giving away all kinds of free stuff on opening day.

They’ll have free pastries and coffee in line beginning at 8 a.m. until doors open at 9 a.m. The first 500 people in line will get gift cards loaded with $5 to $50 and one grand prize with $500. Inside, you can expect product demos and samples.

Lenny Boy created a custom beer on tap just for Whole Foods Uptown.

It’s called Stonewall Station and is available at the main bar at the front of the store. The white IPA is “a light, fruity ale that takes its bitter, hoppy character and combines it with Belgian notes of coriander and pepper.”

Other local beers on tap include NoDa Brewing, Southern Range, Salud Cerveceria and Birdsong. All pints are $5, and you can fill a growler ($4 deposit) for $7/32oz or $14/64oz.

They’ve got specialty food stations like a self-serve pizza bar, a taco and burrito bar and a sushi and stir-fry bowl station.

Tacos are 3 for $8, burritos and bowls are $8 and stir-fry bowls are $9.99. Pizza is $3.50/slice, 2 for $6, or get a whole pie for $14.

You’ll find all of that at the front of the store along with the coffee bar, gelato shop and sandwich station.

And, of course, there’s the signature hot bar and a sizable selection of prepared grab-and-go foods. Chicken-fried tofu for life.

The store will be equipped with Amazon Lockers.

It’s a secure, self-service kiosk where Amazon customers can pick up and return shipments in a convenient location without using a home address. They should be arriving at the store in the next two weeks.

The only other Amazon Lockers in Uptown are at the EpiCentre.

In addition to lockers, Amazon (which purchased Whole Foods around this time last year) will also roll out Prime Savings to Whole Foods stores in North Carolina on Wednesday. And the deals are substantial:

To use Prime Savings at Whole Foods, just download the Whole Foods app, sign in with your Amazon account and scan at the register.

It’s right on the light rail.

Access the store directly from Stonewall Station.

Parking is free.

But Charlotte sure does love its cars. Even in Uptown, you’re covered with free customer parking in the adjacent deck.

Find Whole Foods Uptown at 400 E. Stonewall Street. See grand opening details here.