I've got a story this afternoon that looks at some of the reasons behind all the changes currently underway at the P Street Whole Foods. Regular shoppers at the store are already well aware that it's a bit of a maze of construction tarps and shifting display cases. Among the biggest of those changes still to be completed is the configuration of on-site seating:

The oft-fetishized produce section itself won't change much, but the experience of shopping in it will. Construction of a new mezzanine level indoor seating area will allow those who'd like to sit down for a quick meal to peer down from above. Got any peculiar melon-thumping or tomato-squeezing habits? The eyes of the lunch crowd will now be upon you.

D.C. has no shortage of fantastic spots for people watching, but once it's completed, this one strikes me as having truly amazing potential. It's just a completely different story than someplace like say, Tryst, which while a legendary spot to ogle others, at least keeps everyone on the same eye level. Here, anyone eating on the mezzanine will have the opportunity to watch their fellow customers as they browse through a pile of potatoes more or less without them knowing it. It's the retail equivalent of the upper deck of the 9:30 Club, only without the awesome music and the $6 Yuenglings.