The outlook seems bleak that we will soon see Whole Foods in the Interbay 15th Ave. W Mall. Topping the list of “America’s Healthiest Grocery Stores” by Health Magazine, Whole Foods certainly has experienced ups and downs this quarter.  Just after being given bragging rights by Health Magazine, the downturn in the economy brought a wilting of people’s appetites for organic foods.  Then Whole Foods tussled with the Federal Trade Commission over their purchase of Wild Oats Market, another organic foods retailer.

Now the Seattle PI has given us an update on the situation with Whole Foods and their current negotiations with mall developer Interbay Urban Center LLC.  While both sides are playing it coy, with neither party indicating what they plan to do next, it is clear that the plans to open Whole Foods are hostage to a flagging economy.  And the economic situation doesn’t look to improve anytime soon.