Rendering via Takoma DC listserve

Thanks to a reader for passing on word from the TakomaDC listserv. The plans are for Harris Teeter to open in 2016. The project would also include 220 residential units.

View Larger Map

3201 New Mexico Avenue, NW

I’m told via email that if all goes according to plan the new Wagshal’s going into the old Balducci’s space at 3201 New Mexico Avenue, NW near American University will open around May 15th.

This post is sponsored by Glen's Garden Market.

Glen’s Garden Market offers the Chesapeake Bay watershed’s finest environmentally sustainable, locally grown foods

Still time to enter folks!!!

Glen’s is generously giving away $500 OF GROCERIES (plus some extra goodies) to one lucky PoPville Reader!!! All you need to do is fill out the form below to opt-in to their newsletter… and you can earn additional entries by following Glen’s on Twitter, liking them on Facebook and sharing the contest with your friends.

At Glen’s Garden Market, neighbors enjoy ready access to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed’s finest produce, meat, poultry, dairy, beer, wine, coffee and grocery in a space that celebrates both locality and seasonality. A wide selection of offerings highlights the region’s finest farmers, ranchers, brewers, vintners, roasters and culinary artisans. Nearly 100 percent of the store is sourced locally and therefore minimizes its environmental impact through decreased transportation emissions (and maximizes freshness and nutritional value).

3rd and H St, NE

From a press release:

H Street Giant elements include:

· Full-service floral department conveniently located at the front of store.

· Expansive produce department featuring wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

· Large selection of natural and organic food items, including dairy products and frozen offerings in one dedicated aisle. Store features full line of Giant’s Nature’s Promise products and scores of gluten-free items.

· Bakery offering a full array of fresh baked goods including Giant’s exclusive line of Madelyn cakes, lattice pies, and artisan bread bar.

· Wide offering of international food items, including Asian, Hispanic, Irish, Italian, and Kosher cuisine, as well as a complete Hispanic offering and wide assortment of Goya products.

· Full-service seafood department featuring fresh and frozen items and a live lobster tank. Seafood department offers complimentary marinating and steaming services.

· Full-service meat department with expansive offering.

· Large service deli, featuring wide variety of prepared foods, gourmet cheese and olive bar, sandwiches, and soup and salad bar.

· Vast selection of beer and wine, including craft and domestic beers.

· Variety of general merchandise, seasonal items, health and beauty care products, and more. The store will also feature a Coinstar machine, ATM, and Redbox conveniences.

· H Street customers will benefit from new in-store technologies “SCAN IT!” hand-held devices, which allow customers to scan and bag their groceries while they shop and an “ORDER IT!” deli kiosk, where customers can digitally place deli orders, continue shopping, and pick up order when alert is received.

· Thirteen check-out lanes, four of which are belted self-check out. Two check-out lanes are reserved for “SCAN IT!” users.

· Customer service department located conveniently at the store’s entrance.

· Parking garage designated solely for Giant customers. Parking tickets can be validated in-store for up to two hours.

It took me a second to figure out why they had ping pong balls right next to the beer, though if you play with O’Douls you’re doing it wrong:

Here’s how the area looked during an art exhibit in 2010:

More photos of inside the Giant after the jump. (more…)

4th and M Street, SE

The building’s website, Twelve12, says:

COMING SPRING 2014

Convenience meets style
in one of DC’s most interesting urban districts. This newly-constructed signature building will offer its residents unique and exciting amenities, including upscale finishes and a sense of community in a vibrant, growing neighborhood. Additionally, we are proud to announce that a brand new Harris Teeter and a VIDA Fitness will provide unparalleled on-site conveniences for residents to enjoy.

1717 Connecticut Ave, NW

The Mediterranean Way Gourmet Market is coming to the former Ginza/Aaron Gallery space at 1717 Connecticut Ave, NW. Their Facebook page says:

“Opening soon….Gourmet Mediterranean Market with products such as olive oil and olives, vinegar, cheeses, honey, jams, preservatives, sauces, pastas, chocolates and sweets, beer, wine and beverages sourced from small artisan producers in Mediterranean countries.”

Stay tuned!

Sign Going Up at the Former Townhouse/Secret Safeway at 20th and S St, NW

Back in June 2012 we first learned Glen’s Garden Market would be opening up in the former Townhouse/Secret Safeway at 20th and S Street, NW.

In Oct. 2012 we also learned they’d be selling local wine and beer.

In Dec. 2012 we learned some cool history and that they’d be opening April 21st. The day has nearly arrived. I was able to stop by and snap a few photos while the store was getting finishing touches. I’m happy to say here’s another incredible transformation – especially  remarkable for those who remember what the old secret Safeway looked like.

For those not familiar with Glen’s – their website explains:

At Glen’s Garden Market, shoppers will select from the Chesapeake Bay Watershed’s finest produce, meats, poultry, dairy products and specialty foods in a space designed to celebrate seasonality and offer unprecedented access to environmentally sustainable, locally grown foods. The store will showcase foods grown or created by farmers and artisans in DC, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New York.

The store itself was constructed using sustainable building materials as well as highly efficient lighting, refrigeration and cooking equipment. Additionally, doors have been installed on the service cases to avoid wasting refrigerant. The bar itself is made of recycled paper. Consistent with the store’s environmental focus, minimizing waste will be a priority at Glen’s Garden Market. No paper or plastic will be available at check out and used only as absolutely required in other areas of the store. The store will offer only reusable bags made from recycled content. Additionally, the store will separate out compostable materials from garbage and recycling and provide it back to local farmers to complete the composting process and use as fertile soil in their fields.

Glen’s Garden Market will be open from 8am until 10pm, seven days a week.

Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)

3068 Mt. Pleasant Street, NW

A few weeks ago we learned that Each Peach Market would be taking over the space formerly home to Nana in Mt. Pleasant. I stopped by earlier in the week to speak with owners Emily and Jeanlouise to learn a bit more about their plans for the space.

They see the market as a high quality neighborhood market that prides itself on exemplary customer service. They are bringing the type of grocery store that they would like to shop at. In addition to produce there will be a full service cheese and charcuterie counter, sandwiches, salads, soups, dips, and freshly prepared frozen foods as well. They also will be selling beer and wine. There will be a diverse product mix that will serve all members of the community (read – not a store only filled with $12 jars of pickles.)

Owners Emily Friedberg (left) and Jeanlouise Conaway

They hope the store will become a neighborhood hangout – where folks will swap recipes and cookbooks. And eventually they plan on hosting classes and practical workshops on things like backyard gardening, making your own cheese, jams etc. Stay tuned for a summer opening!

3rd and H Street, NE

@HStreetDC_ tweeted the news:

“The #hstdc Giant will open May 3! They were at 6c ABL committee tonite with details. Beer and wine.”

Looking west

3068 Mt. Pleasant Street, NW

Back in early Jan. we learned that Nana would be closing brick and mortar operations at 3068 Mt. Pleasant Street, NW. Now comes exciting news of their replacement – Each Peach Market:

A community-oriented grocery store showcasing ingredients from local producers and beyond. Coming soon in 2013!

Jeanlouise Conaway and Emily Friedberg, proprietors of Each Peach Market, are working away to get our shop open soon to bring fresh and delicious food to you.

We will be carrying a diverse range of produce, dairy, farm fresh eggs, meat, beer and wine, prepared foods and house-made items, and other inspirational ingredients!

Back in Nov. 2012 demo started on the stinky Safeway at 3830 Georgia Ave, NW. The hole has been dug and now the crane has just gone up. Thanks to Evan for sending the shot above and Claire for sending the shots below. And thanks to everyone else who sent emails.

Thanks to a reader for sending an update about the “upscale grocer” coming to the new Capitol View building at 14th and Belmont St, NW. The reader speculates that it could be David’s Natural Market or The Natural Market. More info as it becomes available.

A reader sends a great experience he shared with yelp about the Columbia Heights Giant:

Look, you’re not on yelp to look for a review of this grocery store, because you know what to expect when you go into any chain supermarket; that’s how these stores are designed. The effusive purple and yellow of Giant is ubiquitous; it permeates the aisles, the uniforms, and the signs throughout the store. You know where to find jelly, magazines, and the occasional rib-eye (but only if it’s on sale). You have your Giant card memorized and can probably find seven different means of egress in the event of a fire. Sure, each individual store is different: longer lines in some places, uninformed staff in another, but if you need groceries, and this joint is within walking distance, you’re going here, because the entire neighborhood does. Now, this isn’t the best stocked Giant I’ve ever been to, nor are the deli workers particularly fast about their meat slicing, but I am writing this post specifically to relay a story of customer service done right.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

806 H Street, NE

The former Z Mart located at 806 H St, NE will become Chez Hareg Organic Market. Elevation DC reports:

The 4,000-square-foot space should be open by the middle of April, she says, after a quarter of a million dollars in renovation expenses. The market will carry local produce, eggs, meat and more — many purchased from the same suppliers who serve the local farmer’s market, Messert says.

They also say the market comes from the same owner as Chez Hareg Gourmet Bakery.

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

A tasty bit of scuttlebutt this Friday morning – even though a brand new Giant is coming to 4th and H St, NE – I hear that Whole Foods is very close to signing a letter of intent for a property at 7th and H St, NE (either the Murry’s building or the drap dc government building). Another source confirms that they are looking but that this prospect is way way way in the future. Anyway, given our love for grocery stores – thought you’d want to hear as soon as possible.

Think H Street could support a Giant and a Whole Foods so close together?

Last week we spoke about our favorite grocery stores and Whole Foods came in a respectable third behind Trader Joe’s and Wegmans.