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.
Looking east
Dear PoPville,
Does anyone know when the Giant on H Street NE between 3rd & 4th is opening?
I’m moving to that area soon and was wondering if anyone has information on when it’s set to open? I’ve heard rumors of May, but just wanted to see if anyone in PoPville had any real information about that. While there is the Harris Teeter on 3rd & M it would be nice to have a cheaper alternative nearby too (Safeway and Giant produce is much more affordable).
I’ve also heard the Giant will be opening in May. The building’s website has said spring 2013.
And while we’re on the subject – You guys like the way the building has turned out so far?
Looking west
Photo by PoPville flickr user jleathers
For this week’s Friday Question of the Day let’s talk grocery stores. If you could have Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Wegmans, Safeway, Giant, YES! Organic Market, H Mart, Harris Teeter or Target move into your neighborhood – which would you be most excited to get?
20th and S St, NW
Speaking of grocery stores, a few folks have written in asking for updates on Glen’s Garden Market coming to the former Townhouse/Secret Safeway space at 20th and S St, NW. I’m happy to report that construction just started and if all goes well they are planning on opening Earth Day weekend, specifically April 21st.
Owner Danielle Vogel shares some cool photos and writes:
“Instead of standard construction paper, we blew up this old photo of my maternal grandfather’s first grocery in Scotch Plains, NJ.”
“My paternal great grandfather’s first store in Manhattan. My great grandfather grew up in the apartment right above the grocery.”
Awesome!
Photo by PoPville flickr user Max Resnick
A commercial real estate broker has a client who is planning on opening an upscale grocery store (approximately 2000 square feet) with a very similar set up to a Marverlous Market. They are committed to opening up the store in DC but they haven’t yet decided exactly where they’d like to open. So I offered to poll PoPville. The neighborhoods they are considering are Hill East, Columbia Heights, Petworth, Logan Circle/Shaw, Navy Yard, and H Street, NE.
Which neighborhood do you think would most support this type of store?
2118 14th Street, NW
Smucker Farms has applied for a liquor license to sell beer and wine at 14th and W Street, NW. I’m eager to see what type of beer they’ll stock. I def. have high hopes. Smucker Farms opened up back in Nov. 2011 and we judged them in April 2012.
3201 New Mexico Avenue, NW
Thanks to a reader for sending word that the coming soon signs have gone up in the old old Balducci’s space at 3201 New Mexico Avenue, NW near American University. Their Website says they’ll be open in early 2013. We judged Wagshal’s deli at 4855 Massachusetts Ave NW here.