Whole Foods employees were as cool as the cucumbers they shelved while customers went bananas over Long Beach’s newest grocery store.

About 1,000 people lined up outside the 45,000-square-foot shop, at 6400 E. Pacific Coast Highway, for its grand opening on Wednesday, Oct. 23. The turnout was so huge that Whole Foods opened the doors 30 minutes before its planned 9 a.m. opening.

The first 300 of that crowd were rewarded with a custom Whole Foods canvas tote bag and a savings card, all of which had values ranging from $5 to $100.

Customers receive a free reusable Long Beach Whole Foods tote bag during the grand opening of the new Whole Foods Market store at the 2ND & PCH Shopping Center in Long Beach on Wednesday, October 23, 2019. (Photo by Ana P. Garcia, Contributing Photographer)

January Bridge receives a free reusable Long Beach Whole Foods tote bag during the grand opening of the new Whole Foods Market store at the 2ND & PCH Shopping Center in Long Beach on Wednesday, October 23, 2019. (Photo by Ana P. Garcia, Contributing Photographer)

Lola Cei, 3, and Mila Cei, 5, receive a kids goodie bag as customers receive a free reusable Long Beach Whole Foods tote bag during the grand opening the new Whole Foods Market store at the 2ND & PCH Shopping Center in Long Beach on Wednesday, October 23, 2019. (Photo by Ana P. Garcia, Contributing Photographer)

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Customers line up as they receive a free reusable Long Beach Whole Foods tote bag during the grand opening of the new Whole Foods Market store at the 2ND & PCH Shopping Center in Long Beach on Wednesday, October 23, 2019. (Photo by Ana P. Garcia, Contributing Photographer)

Assistant Store Manager Gabriel Rodriguez gives a high-five to Mila Cei, 5, as the first few customers walk in during the grand opening of the new Whole Foods Market store at the 2ND & PCH Shopping Center in Long Beach on Wednesday, October 23, 2019. (Photo by Ana P. Garcia, Contributing Photographer)



The first hundred customers walk in during the grand opening of the new Whole Foods Market store at the 2ND & PCH Shopping Center in Long Beach on Wednesday, October 23, 2019. (Photo by Ana P. Garcia, Contributing Photographer)

Before the Butcher vendor Devin O’Malley gives customers free samples from of Uncut breakfast sausages during the grand opening of the new Whole Foods Market store at the 2ND & PCH Shopping Center in Long Beach on Wednesday, October 23, 2019. (Photo by Ana P. Garcia, Contributing Photographer)

Customers receive free samples from vendors as they line up to walk in the store during the grand opening of the new Whole Foods Market store at the 2ND & PCH Shopping Center in Long Beach on Wednesday, October 23, 2019. (Photo by Ana P. Garcia, Contributing Photographer)

Ashley Mullery applauds along with other team members as the first several customers walk in the store during the grand opening of the new Whole Foods Market store at the 2ND & PCH Shopping Center in Long Beach on Wednesday, October 23, 2019. (Photo by Ana P. Garcia, Contributing Photographer)

Bill and Holly Sims wave as team members applaud as the first several customers walk in the store during the grand opening of the new Whole Foods Market store at the 2ND & PCH Shopping Center in Long Beach on Wednesday, October 23, 2019. (Photo by Ana P. Garcia, Contributing Photographer)



Joseph Hamilton, director of operations with B Sweet, gives Liz Rayor with her son Frankie Rayor, 1, and Luz Rose free samples of coffee and teas along with other customers during the grand opening of the new Whole Foods Market store at the 2ND & PCH Shopping Center in Long Beach on Wednesday, October 23, 2019. (Photo by Ana P. Garcia, Contributing Photographer)

Customers are seen checking out at the registers during the grand opening of the new Whole Foods Market store at the 2ND & PCH Shopping Center in Long Beach on Wednesday, October 23, 2019. (Photo by Ana P. Garcia, Contributing Photographer)

Customers receive free samples from vendors as they line up to walk in the store during the grand opening of the new Whole Foods Market store at the 2ND & PCH Shopping Center in Long Beach on Wednesday, October 23, 2019. (Photo by Ana P. Garcia, Contributing Photographer)

To prepare for the throngs of people on Wednesday and beyond, the grocery giant hired 250 people — including 130 from the former location in East Long Beach — to staff the site, which anchors the 11-acre 2ND & PCH development.

“It’s a huge feat, and it’s all hands on deck,” the store’s team leader, Matthew Spohn, said Tuesday while preparing for the grand opening. “But, honestly, it’s been smooth, and the transition has gone really well.”

Wednesday’s celebration, which included free coffee, snacks and entertainment, kicked off five days of festivities at the shopping center.

The development as a whole will host a ribbon-cutting on Thursday, Oct. 24. Special events are scheduled through Sunday, Oct. 27.

Some of the most anticipated 2ND & PCH stores, which will open on a rolling basis through the end of the year and into 2020, include Urban Outfitters, lululemon, Sephora and Shake Shack.

“There’s no doubt customers are shopping differently these days,” Jean Paul Wardy, president of CenterCal Properties, said last week. “The online shopping is convenient. You need to offer something people can only find here, and offer a high-quality experience. With our list of retailers, restaurants and services, we’ve accomplished that.”