Real Estate

MINNEAPOLIS -- A Seattle developer has paved the way for a $180 million condo project that will feature a Whole Foods Market here.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Whole Foods Market, the country's leading organic and natural foods retailer, topped even its own expectations in 2005, as it saw a 22 percent sales increase for the year that totaled $4.7 billion. Based on its strong sales trend in the last few years and its outlook for future growth, the company is raising its 2010 sales goal from $10 billion to $12 billion.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- Earth Fare continues to spread its own version of supernatural marketing in the South. Just weeks after the debut of its first Charlotte location, the chain said yesterday it plans a second Charlotte location in the South Park section, and added it will also open a second store in its home town here.

JANESVILLE, Wis. -- Woodman's Food Markets Inc., an operator of giant supermarkets throughout that state of Wisconsin, is debuting in the Milwaukee area with a 237,000-square-foot, $15 million development in Oak Creek, according to published reports. An unused part of Delphi Corp.'s automotive parts manufacturing complex, which was sold this summer to developers, is being razed to make way for the store.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Valu Discount, Inc., based here, said it has signed an agreement with Buehler Foods Group, Jasper, Ind., to buy two of the grocer's stores. The stores are located in Louisville and in Mt. Washington. Valu Discount also said it will purchase all of the equipment and fixtures inside a recently closed Buehler's Market here.

MONTROVIA, Calif. -- Trader Joe's, the quirky limited assortment food retailer based here, is reportedly scouting for future sites in metro Atlanta, which would be the southernmost market yet for the chain.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Regional supermarket chain Harris Teeter here plans to open 19 new stores in fiscal 2006, representing a 12 percent increase in square footage. The chain said late last week that it owes its growth ambitions to its current financial position and improvements in operating performance over the last several years.

BOULDER, Colo. -- Natural and organic grocer Wild Oats Markets, Inc. saw increased sales and comps for the third quarter ended October 1, and broke even in the profit column.