"Whole Foods is a perfect fit for Belmar," says Tom Gougeon, Belmar's director. "Whole Foods is committed to healthy, high-quality food and lifestyles. It's on the forefront of environmentally responsible building, and it supports sustainable business practices and communities."

This is the company's 162 store and its sixth in Colorado. Other Colorado stores are located in Boulder, Denver, Highlands Ranch, Fort Collins and Colorado Springs. The store will break ground in November and will be located east of Wadsworth Boulevard between West Virginia Avenue and West Alaska Drive.

"This store will provide a large selection of quality products for which Whole Foods is known," says Peter Fair, partner in charge of leasing for Continuum Partners. "We think this store will be a destination for people from throughout west metro Denver."

Whole Foods Market started in 1980 in Austin, TX with one store and 19 employees. Today, it is the world's largest retailer of natural and organic foods.

Belmar is a 104-acre, mixed-use development located at Wadsworth Boulevard and West Alameda Avenue in Lakewood. It serves as the downtown for the city of Lakewood. The $750-million project is being developed through a public/private partnership between the City of Lakewood and Continuum Lakewood Development Co. LLC.