Whole Foods is raising the bar.
The upscale grocer, as well-known for its sensory-filled shopping as its often-pricey foods, is opening bars that serve craft beer and local wine in more than a dozen stores nationally in a test before a wider roll-out.
In the past 18 months, small, locally focused bars have opened inside five Whole Foods Markets in California, and two each in Arizona, Illinois and Texas, among others. Earlier this month, it opened one inside its chi-chi flagship store in Austin.
By 2012, the 305-store chain plans to open at least seven more bars — even one in Hawaii, says co-CEO Walter Robb.
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