grocery stores

Clover Market Closes at 5014 Connecticut Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Dear PoPville,

Did you know that apparently Clover Market at 5014 Connecticut Ave. NW has closed . . . One of the last of the old fashioned, neighborhood grocery stores . . . I don’t know how long it was around – but I have lived in DC since 1982 and I certainly know that it was here since long before that . . .

Sad — as another, small independent goes out of business.

Clover Market was located across the street from Politics and Prose bookstore. Looks like a demo permit has been issued but it’s not clear who the new tenant will be:

Dear PoPville- Can We Talk About How Awesome the Columbia Heights’ Giant is Now?

By Prince Of Petworth

Dear PoPville,

I know the Park Road Giant gets a lot of smack on this website, particularly after the great-checkout-line-debacle, which led to a new store policy. But, I went to Giant today for the first time in a little while and I was floored, in a good way! It’s a million times cleaner, and although we’ve had to put up with a little confusion during the reorganization process, I noticed how much better the foot traffic flowed. They’ve also added some nice little finishing touches, such as individual yogurt holders instead of stacking the yogurts precariously. Anyway, now that they seem to be close to finishing the revamping process, I thought it was time for some much deserved props.

Dear PoPville – Anyone Know What Happened at the Columbia Heights Giant Last Night?

By Prince Of Petworth

Dear PoPville,

I took this picture with my phone around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. It’s at the Giant in Columbia Heights. There was a massive mess in one of the aisles, so big that at least three employees were cleaning it up. It also seemed like an entire set of shelves was removed to help get rid of the mess. Any idea what caused this?

Anyone happen to know what happened?

Judging Markets – Smucker Farms

By Prince Of Petworth


2118 14th St, NW

I was pretty excited when Smuckers Farms opened up at 2118 14th St, NW in Nov. 2011. For those not familiar with Smucker Farms their Website says:

Smucker Farms of Lancaster Co. was founded to make a direct connection between the producers of food and products in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and consumers in Washington, DC. We focus on small farmers and producers, stocking our shelves with the best that Southeast PA has to offer. Many of the small farmers in Lancaster, primarily Amish and Mennonite, have distanced themselves from the corporate food chain and are instead focusing on high quality artisan food and products.

The result is an explosion in the availability of grass fed beef, free range poultry and eggs, heirloom pork, European style cheeses, butters, and yogurts, and of course an abundance of organic leafy greens, root vegetables and fruit. Smucker Farms will also be carrying a wide variety of unique baked goods, canned products, dry goods, handmade soaps and beauty products. To best serve the busy urban dweller, we have prepared modern American take away meals made in Lancaster, PA for your home and office. For those who want a weekly variety of fresh produce and fruit, Smucker Farms is the pick-up point for a CSA program organized by a cooperative of Amish and Mennonite farmers in Lancaster Co. Examples of handmade furniture are scattered throughout the store to help you choose an item for pick up or delivery, and handmade toys can be put to the test in our Kid’s Corner.

Any fans?

The 5pm Post – Next DC Grey Market Sat. Jan. 28th

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Sarah Heydemann via Grey DC

From an email:

14th and Kennedy NW January 28 from 1 to 4pm.

Pay online ahead of time by going to greydc.com.
Tickets are $2 at the door, $2.37 for online. You don’t need a paypal
account.

Then show us the email confirmation on your phone or print your
receipt.

You can find participating vendors here. More about Grey DC Market:

Mission
Grey DC is an organization dedicated to building a stronger community in Washington DC. We are a small business incubator that provides opportunities for local entrepreneurs who lack the financial capital needed to test the market. We organize markets for food vendors who otherwise would not have a chance to sell their wares. Our events provide opportunities for local small businesses to connect directly to potential consumers.

Philosophy
Grey DC believes that all food can be locally and sustainably produced. All our vendors make or source their food from Washington DC, Maryland, or Virginia and are committed to bringing local, healthful, and sustainable alternatives to the marketplace.

The 5pm Post – Would you Like a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Site in your Neighborhood?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user hellomarkers!

Dear PoPville,

My family is currently participating in Sandy Spring CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and enjoying it. We have an opportunity to start a CSA site here in DC neighborhoods for the 2012 season, working with Sandy Spring CSA, which has been in operation for ten years. Here is how it works. You sign up in the winter for a subscription to organic vegetables and fruits that you recieve May through Oct in a weekly share box, delivered to a specific location near you. The site host provides a place for the weekly produce boxes to be delivered for pick up by members and, in return, the host receives a free veggie and fruit share worth $950. It is a growing part of the local food system. Good for the earth, the eaters and the farmers. If you are interested in being a site host, please contact Erin to explore. [email protected] or 301-438-3927. Their website is www.sandyspringcsa.com

Trader Joe’s Coming to 14th and U St, NW?

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in June ’10 we spoke about some scuttlebutt regarding a Trader Joe’s coming to 14th and U St, NW. At the time the Washington City Paper said “this particular bit of rumor is almost certainly baseless.” This afternoon the City Paper writes:

“Well, I’ve since heard from a very good source that Trader Joe’s is, in fact, headed for the massive new development just getting underway on the intersection’s [14th and U] southwest corner”

Sweet!

If You’re Gonna Grocery Shop this Week, Do it Tomorrow (Wed.) at Whole Foods

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Lauren PM

From an email:

Please help us double our food stamp and WIC programs at the farmers’ markets for 2012.

On Wednesday December 14th the P St and Georgetown Whole Foods will donate 5% of ALL Sales to double food stamps and WIC at BFM, Mount Pleasant, NoMa, Glover Park and 14&U FM for the 2012 season.

We will then be able to match the value of food stamps and WiC so our low income customers can double their purchasing power for fruits and vegetables.

Please spread the word.. We are trying to raise 20,000 dollars. So we are asking people to do some holiday shopping on Wednesday so that we can double food stamps at markets in 2012.. Everything counts from Amaryllis bulbs to wine, sandwiches to flour and eggs.

Thank you. There will be great chef demos at WF in support of this event: from Blue Duck Tavern, Brasserie Beck , Ris, and PS7. As well as Loulies and Company’s Coming Cooking School.

You can find out more at:DCGREENS.ORG

Dear PoPville – vegetarian/vegan stores?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Lauren PM

“Dear PoPville,

A friend of mine is moving to DC and has asked me about vegetarian or vegan stores in DC. He lives in Boston and I guess there are a couple of small shops there that he frequents and wonders if there are such places in DC or surrounding areas. I am clueless and wanted to ask if you knew of a couple of vegan/vegetarian stores (Wholefoods excluded). Thank you in advance for your help.”

You should def. check out Sticky Fingers located at 1370 Park Rd NW in Columbia Heights. There is also Everlasting Life, located at 2928 Georgia Ave, NW. There is also Java Green ( for now) and Cafe Green. And Soul Vegetarian of course. Can you guys think of others spots?

PoP Preview – Smucker Farms Coming to 2118 14th St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth


2118 14th St, NW – November 2011

Back in April we learned that Smucker Farms was coming to 2118 14th St, NW (between V and W.)


2118 14th St, NW – April 2011

Their Web site explains:

“Smucker Farms of Lancaster Co. makes a direct connection between the producers of food and products in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and consumers in Washington, DC. We focus on small farmers and producers, stocking our shelves with the best that Southeast Pennsylvania has to offer. Many of the small farmers in Lancaster, who are primarily Amish and Mennonite, have distanced themselves from the corporate food chain and are, instead, focusing on high quality artisan food and products.

The result is an explosion in the availability of grass fed beef, free range poultry and eggs, heirloom pork, European style cheeses, butters, and yogurts, and, of course, an abundance of organic leafy greens, root vegetables, and fruit. Smucker Farms also carries a wide variety of unique baked goods, canned products, dry goods, and handmade soaps. To best serve busy urbanites, we have prepared modern American take-away meals made in Lancaster for your home and office. For those who want a weekly variety of fresh produce and fruit, Smucker Farms is the pick-up point for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program organized by a cooperative of Amish and Mennonite farmers in Lancaster. Handmade Amish furniture is scattered throughout the store to help you choose an item for pick up or delivery. Handmade toys can be put to the test in our Kids’ Corner.”

While they were still finishing stocking their shelves – it sorta gave me the feel of a much bigger Seasonal Pantry located by the Convention Center. Which is absolutely phenomenal news for U Street.

They’ll be soft opening this weekend and starting Monday will be open from 8am-8pm (though if folks request it, they can tweak those hours.) A sample of some of the goods after the jump. (more…)

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