FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 29, 2003

Center on Halsted announces plans for Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market plans to be the retail tenant in Center on Halsted, the new Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community center under development in Chicago's East Lakeview neighborhood.

CHICAGO - September 29, 2003 - Center on Halsted is pleased to announce that Whole Foods Market plans to be the retail tenant in the new Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community center under development in Chicago's East Lakeview neighborhood. The store would be the 10th location in the Chicago area for Whole Foods Market, the world's largest retailer of natural and organic foods.

"We could not be happier than to have Whole Foods Market as our retail partner in this project. We are delighted to be able to attract a retail tenant of this caliber to the Center on Halsted and this neighborhood. We are especially pleased with the degree to which having one major retail tenant will allow us to focus our energy on building and operating the community center.
Additionally, they are well known for their corporate philanthropy and for being a company that is friendly to the LGBT community," said Modesto Tico Valle, Acting Executive Director Center on Halsted/Horizons.

Construction of the store at the southwest corner of North Halsted Street and Waveland Avenue could begin as early as this spring, with Whole Foods Market ready for a grand opening in early 2005. The Bond Companies of Chicago, which specializes in mixed-use projects that infuse energy into neighborhoods, is developing the Whole Foods Market store.

"This is the best of both worlds. This project not only would bring a highly desirable retailer to the neighborhood, but it would enhance the fabric of the neighborhood at the same time," said Rob Bond, president of the Bond Companies.

With an underground garage, Whole Foods Market will have sufficient parking to accommodate shoppers and employees. Parking for the Center will be provided at a new parking lot to be constructed at nearby LeMoyne School, under an agreement brokered by 44th Ward Ald. Tom Tunney between Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Park District and Center on Halsted. Installation of a new playground and extensive landscape improvements will accompany construction of the new parking lot at the school.

"As one of the Center's biggest supporters, I am enthusiastic about this development. Whole Foods is a top national retailer, and it will be great to have them in the Ward," Tunney said.

The retail anchor would provide enhanced financial stability to support the costs of operations and programs of the Center on Halsted, a non-profit organization. Center on Halsted has raised $11.5 million toward a $20 million goal for construction of the Center.

"This project would allow Whole Foods Market to enter East Lakeview in a way that also supports the community. We couldn't feel better about the opportunity to help the Center on Halsted become a reality," said Anthony Gilmore, regional president of Whole Foods Markets Midwest, Inc.

Whole Foods Markets and the Bond Companies expect a lease to be signed in the next 45 days.

Center on Halsted will be home to more than fifteen LGBT community organizations, providing recreational, cultural, and educational programs, as well as vital social and health services - including the youth, psychotherapy, antiviolence and other programs of Horizons Community Services. The city's oldest and largest social service provider for the LGBT community, Horizons Community Services is the developer of Center on Halsted. Plans for the three-story Center include meeting and office space, a theater, a gymnasium and a rooftop garden.

Merchants on North Halsted Street are also welcoming the news of their new neighbor. R. J. Chaffin, president of the Northalsted Area Merchants Association (NAMA) who owns Ragin' Raejeans and R.J.'s Video, commented, "This is one of the best things that could happen on Halsted Street." Gay Mart owner Shelly Rosenbaum, the NAMA board of directors liaison to the Center added, "The Whole Foods Market will be a very valuable retail anchor, bringing new life to the north end of the street." NAMA is a group of 80 businesses that works to maintain the North Halsted business community as a friendly, exciting and diverse shopping and entertainment area. Its annual street festival, Market Days, has become one of the city's most popular events.

Bonnie Leracz, president of the East Lakeview Neighbors, said, "Speaking personally, I am thrilled. Whole Foods will be a real asset to the neighborhood."

"We are confident that the Center's character as a hub for cultural, recreational and educational programming and a home for vital social services will be maintained and enhanced," said Valle. "There will be a large, very visible and inviting entry area on the corner of Waveland and Halsted, as we've planned all along. We will be sitting down over the next few weeks with the other organizations that will be part of the Center, and with other community and neighborhood groups, to be sure that they understand the tremendous opportunity this represents."

The Midwest’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender social service agency, Horizons Community Services, Inc., has provided a wide array of counseling, support, referral, advocacy and educational programs for more than 25 years, and is a United Way Member Agency.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 29, 2003

Center on Halsted announces plans for Whole Foods Market

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 29, 2003