The names of several possible tenants for the space now occupied by the Giant grocery store on East Monroe Avenue emerged last week, including ALDI, a 1,300-store national grocery store chain that specializes in selling its own private-label brands.
Kin Properties of Boca Raton, Florida, the property owner, has begun actively marketing the 16,000-square-foot space and is seriously considering a grocery store tenant, Robert Crum, senior leasing officer for the company, told me last week.
Crum said one national retailer is a possibility, but wouldn’t confirm that it is ALDI. Christina Mindrup, vice president of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, the city’s economic development agency, said, however, that ALDI has been mentioned. ALDI has been expanding in the Washington, DC area, and was featured in a story in the Food section of the February 26 Washington Post.
Another possibility is the Richmond-based organic grocer Ellwood Thompson’s, which also has a store in Rockville, Maryland, called Dawson’s.
Previously, the grocery chain Fresh Market, which recently opened a store at the Bradlee Shopping Center in Alexandria, and Trader Joe’s have been mentioned as possibilities. Fresh Market is expanding, and is aware of the Giant site, Mindrup said. Trader Joe’s told Mindrup it has no expansion plans at this time.
Another possibility brought up by Mindrup is Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Café, an expanding chain that includes under one roof an upscale casual restaurant, a full-service bar, a private barrel-aging room, and a Napa-style tasting room and retail store. Cooper’s Hawk produces the grapes that are then turned into wine at its restaurants. Cooper’s Hawk, however, would probably require more parking than is available at the East Monroe Avenue property.
Giant’s lease runs out on January 31, 2016, but Crum said he is looking to sign a new tenant in the near term.
I wish the My Organic Market (MOM’s) in Arlandria would move there.
A regular grocery store would be great. Although Giant is a little dated, I love having a smaller-scale grocery store in the neighborhood. We have all sorts of specialized options in Del Ray – there is no need for a Trader Joe’s or another organic market – we have all of those in a small radius of Mt. Vernon Ave. If we lose our Giant, we will need to go to one of the much larger grocery stores for staple items.
Oh, I definitely agree. And many people that use that Giant are walkers and do not have other transportation. I myself much prefer a small grocery store for my every day items. Why isn’t Giant going to continue if other grocery stores are being considered? Do they want to close the smaller store? A shame I say. I shop there almost every other day.
This may be an unpopular position, but I’m going to miss the Giant. It’s nice to have a small, affordable grocery in the neighborhood that you can walk to without braving a larger store, particularly for small trips. So — I like the idea of having another grocery. Don’t know much about Aldi.
I don’t think it’s an unpopular idea at all–I’d love Giant to stay, just a bit more updated!
I wish MOM’s would move there too. Small Grocery store would be the best for our neighborhood
I hate to see Giant go. Del Ray definitely needs a grocery store like Giant there. Not a trendy, expensive one, but a go-to, familiar grocery store for those of us who have small children and jobs, and who do not want to make shopping part of some trek up and down a highway. Please consider a regular, decently priced grocery store as a tenant.
I would LOVE it if My Organic Market (MOM’s) would move into this location from Arlandria. It would get so much more business and be close so people & kids could ‘walk’ to the Organic grocery store. It would also give them a little more needed space – maybe they could add a cafe area, similar to Whole Foods. The new, larger Giant that will open on Route 1 will also be walkable for most in Del Ray although it will be a little farther for some. The new dedicated transit line down Route 1 will fill that need though for those without cars.
Keeping Giant or similar grocery store would be my preference. I shop there at least twice a week and think a trendy, upscale or specialty store would not meet the needs of the neighborhood. A lot of people walk in Del Ray so having a grocery store we can get to for the essentials is what we need.
Another grocery store please! Having Giant at that location is so convenient. I hope we can keep a neighborhood grocer, I love having one nearby that I can walk to.
Another vote to keep the Giant or something similar. We need a regular, affordable, non-trendy grocery for everyday items.
Yes to another grocery store! Or keep Giant! Think of how nice it was to be able to walk there while we were stuck in all that snow this winter. So Albertson’s just bought Safeway. Could we have an Albertson’s there?
Has anyone ever been to an ALDI? I have, and it is the farthest thing from a “neighborhood grocer” or “MOM’s” that you could imagine. The store specializes in selling its own cheap selection of off-brand products at bargain basement prices. ALDI (i.e. “Albrecht Discount”) is quite literally the low-end version of Trader Joe’s – they are owned by the same Albrecht family trust. I would hope the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership would be able to attract some better alternatives to the thriving Del Ray neighborhood.
Why can we not keep Giant? Anyone know?
Would be an excellent spot for MOM’s!
It would be nice to just renovate and expand the current building some if possible to keep a grocery store of the same quality. However, if that isn’t possible a MOM’s or other higher-end grocery store would be perfect and preferred. From what I know about Aldi’s this is the last time of store Del Ray residents would want in their community after having a Walgreens open on Mt. Vernon Ave.
A Busboys and Poets would be absolutely amazing!
Another vote for an updated Giant or similar-style grocery store that serves the entire community. I walk there and shop a few a week for basic items and have really appreciated the improvements in the produce department over the past few years. I agree with the earlier comment that we have specialized options already in close proximity.
An updated Giant or a Fresh Market would be great, and a Trader Joe’s would be wonderful! However, MOM’s, PLEASE do not move the MOM’s from Arlandria. MOM’s is such a great asset to that community AND to Del Ray from its current location, and it is key to planned shopping center improvements that will improve conditions in that neighborhood for everyone. We love our MOM’s right where it is!!
I would love for Giant, or a similar style store, to stay! We so appreciate being able to walk to get what we need for dinner, a bbq or baking! ALDI is not a similar substitute. It is a very much a low quality scene, with boxes on pallets forming the aisles. It is not like Trader Joe’s, or Giant, at all. An updated Giant, or similar store, so fits a need and desire of our neighborhood and community!
Car dealership or strip club, please.
That Giant is my go to store when I’m walking or need to just get something quick without dealing with crowds. Aldis is not a good alternative. Updating the Giant store or putting in a Trader Joe’s would be the best alternatives.
I share the others views that this site MUST be the home of a reasonably priced grocery store for walkers who want to go there for their every day shopping needs or last minute grocery items. I am not opposed to Trader Joe’s or MOMs – both are great. But I agree that something affordable, but more updated than the current store, would be fantastic. I’m not familiar with ALDI, but it doesn’t sound like the right fit for our neighborhood based on other comments. I LOVE LOVE LOVE being able to walk over to this grocery store and get my basic needs. Please keep the spirit of our walking neighborhood alive and bring in a fitting neighborhood grocery store. Also, I want to agree with others that we have a lot of high-priced boutiques in the neighborhood. We need a family oriented store that is a sensitive to the family budget (which Giant certainly is right now).