grocery stores

MOM’s Organic Market Coming to Former Hecht’s Warehouse in Ivy City

By Prince Of Petworth

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1401 New York Avenue, NE via @MOMsOrganicMrkt

“Dear PoPville,

I was in the Alexandria MOM’s Organic Market a couple of days ago. The pretty dated strip mall where they’re located is renovating, and eventually MOM’s will be relocated to a new adjacent building. Still not completely clear on the details, but we started talking about other future locations.

They said they’ll also have a store near Union Market in an old Sears building – I think they meant Hechts. MOMs has a FB entry on the January groundbreaking and tells a commenter they’ll be open in the fall.”

Last Thursday they tweeted the rendering pictured above:

“Can’t believe this is happening! Can’t wait! @douglasdevdc #DCMOMs #NYAve #IvyCity #Hechts”

Another reader sends some photos of how the site looks today:

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Douglas Development’s website says:

“This property was originally built in 1937 and expanded in 1948 as the central warehouse for the Hecht’s Company Department Stores. The six story building was constructed in a Streamline Modern style featuring glass block extensively, culminating in a twelve-point star shaped cupola at the corner that is illuminated at night. Douglas Development purchased the building in 2011 and is currently redeveloping the property into mixed-use retail and office complex. Construction has began on a new seven story attached garage with 900+ parking spaces.

The new Hecht’s Warehouse District will be a dynamic mixed used development featuring shopping, dining and offices.”

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Dear PoPville – Why Does the New Trader Joe’s Open at 9am and not 8am Like all the other Locations?

By Prince Of Petworth

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1916 14th Street, NW

“Dear PoPville,

Why does the Trader Joe’s on 14th Street open at 9AM instead of 8AM? There are so many people who live near by who could stop by on the way to work for fruit, prepared lunch items, etc.

A review of their website shows that every other Trader Joe’s in the Washington, DC area opens at 8AM.

I had hoped these hours might be temporary, however the sign on the window seems pretty permanent.”

World Market Coming to Bed Bath and Beyond in Chinatown

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

A friend mentioned that she saw a sign at the Chinatown Bed, Bath and Beyond that said something about a World Market coming to the downtown area. Any info on that??”

I spoke with an employee at Bed Bath and Beyond (709 7th Street NW) who said they are going to remodel a section inside of the store that should open in about a month or so. World Market’s website says:

“In the late 1950s, a San Francisco businessman turned traveler and importer began selling shiploads of hand-woven wicker from one of the city’s piers. As crates were unloaded, locals lined up and loaded up. Even curious tourists were drawn to the unique and unusual.

With such a receptive audience eagerly awaiting his return, it only made sense to open a store. And in 1958 he opened the first store in San Francisco’s famed Fisherman’s Wharf and called it Cost Plus World Market. The store quickly became a destination for those who craved original and handmade items from around the world. Items were sold at cost, plus ten percent – hence the name Cost Plus World Market!

More than fifty years later it’s still our passion to discover extraordinary finds from all over the world and make them accessible to all.

Our everyday low prices and high-quality, original items are a great value. Choose from eye-catching, trend-setting home accents, an awe-inspiring array of international foods and wines, and much more.

We bring the beauty and excitement of global bazaars to you. Our selection is always changing, and, like favorite mementos from your life, each item has a story worth sharing. From Balinese baskets, pottery from Portugal and collectibles from Africa to scrolled artwork inspired by Spanish artifacts – each store is a treasure trove.

Gifts galore fill our floors – you’ll find something for everyone, from children to parents. And when you need entertaining essentials, we’re your one-stop shop – whether you’re hosting a holiday or a very personal special occasion.”

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“Instacart covers 8 wards in DC and delivers groceries from four major stores: Costco, Harris Teeter, Safeway and Whole Foods”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr.TinDC

From a press release:

“Instacart (www.Instacart.com), the only service that can deliver groceries from multiple local stores within an hour, announced today that it is adding delivery service from Safeway for the Washington, DC area.

Instacart also expanded its delivery area to include neighborhoods Seven Corners and Bailey’s Crossroads in Falls Church, VA. These new areas have been added to Instacart’s existing delivery area which includes all of D.C., nearby areas of Virginia (Arlington, Alexandria, and McLean), as well as neighborhoods of MD (Takoma Park, Chevy Chase, Bethesda, and Silver Spring).

In the roughly six weeks since the same-day grocery delivery service launched in the DC area, Instacart has grown its user base by 15 times, now covers 8 wards in DC and 7 neighborhoods in VA and MD, and delivers groceries from four major stores: Costco, Harris Teeter, Safeway and Whole Foods.

Originally launched in San Francisco and later expanded to Chicago and Boston, Instacart has disrupted the traditional grocery delivery space with its crowdsourced labor force dubbed “Personal Shoppers” who shop for and deliver grocery orders using their own vehicles in as little as one hour. This eliminates the need for costly infrastructure such as warehouses, trucks and full-time drivers. Instacart is not affiliated with the stores; its model is to connect customers with Personal Shoppers who shop on their behalf.

Customers can open an account at www.Instacart.com, and get free delivery on their first order of $35 or more.

“Safeway was a very popular request from our DC area customers and gives them a great range of options for groceries; it was a logical choice for a new store addition,” said Instacart founder and CEO Apoorva Mehta. “We are very happy with the enormous growth we’ve had for our same-day grocery delivery service in the DC area; clearly the convenience of grocery delivery has resonated with this community of busy, hard-working people who are thrilled to do their grocery shopping online from their favorite stores and have everything delivered quickly, right to their doorstep.”

What Neighborhood Will Trader Joe’s Open in Next?

By Prince Of Petworth

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4455 Connecticut Avenue, NW

A few weeks ago we noted the former Van Ness Square buildings had been completely demoed on Connecticut Avenue. A couple of readers have sent word that they heard rumors of a possible future Trader Joe’s. We first heard rumors back in August 2013. Anyone else still hearing this rumor? Saul Centers says that the new Park Van Ness development will include around “9,000 square feet of street-level retail and below street-level structured parking” – in August some doubted that was big enough for a Trader Joe’s. Anyone know the square footage of the 14th and U Street Trader Joe’s? I guess we’ve got a few years to find out… If they don’t come to Van Ness, what neighborhood do you think realistically has a good shot at getting the next one?

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Rendering via Saul Centers

T-90 to 120 Days Until Petworth’s New Safeway – The Swift Safeway

By Prince Of Petworth

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3830 Georgia Avenue, NW

Now that the Trader Joe’s countdown has finished it’s on to The Swift Safeway – coming to Georgia and Randolph St, NW in Petworth. According to spokesman, Craig Muckle, we’ve got 90-120 more days to go. Though they’ll hopefully be able to narrow down the date next month. As for the apartments above they’ll start to be “ready by early summer, with an additional floor available every two-three weeks, so completely done end of summer.” And one more piece of info about the safeway – they’ve applied for a beer/wine license with hours of operation for the store listed as Sunday through Saturday 5 am – 12 am.

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