Extensive green efforts power Calif. Whole Foods store

Whole Foods‘ store in San Jose, Calif., was the first to include a microbrewery and taproom, but that is not the only thing that sets the location apart from other food retailers. The store also features several investments in sustainability, including its pedestrian-friendly design incorporating salvaged and locally-sourced materials, heavy use of skylights and other natural light features, use of only natural refrigerants and its ability to operate almost completely off the grid through on-site heat and power plants that run a generator and an emphasis on cutting unnecessary power consumption. Read the Inhabitat story here