Federal Meats, an original tenant in the plaza, has a month-to-month lease but hasn't had much communication with WS Development. It's not easy to move a butcher shop, because of all of the coolers and the display cases, said Patrick Patterson, the store manager. But he said he knows that day is coming as Whole Foods gets closer to opening. "That's the last thing they want is any competition," said Patterson.

As other tenants left the plaza over the past two years, business became "extremely challenging" for Riverside Men's Shop, said Neumann.

"The bright side? Plenty of parking," quipped Tom Lanighan, the store's sales manager.

Whole Foods plans

Plans filed with the town for Whole Foods show typical features, such as a bakery and extensive space for prepared foods. But the Amherst Whole Foods also would boast a casual restaurant serving food and beer, a bocce ball court and a "living wall" of plants on the roof.

Whole Foods and WS have said the store will be ready to open this summer. Representatives of both companies declined last week to provide an update on the construction.