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.

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. erin@sandyspringcsa.com or 301-438-3927. Their website is www.sandyspringcsa.com

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!

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

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?

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…)

“Dear PoPville,

What was originally supposed to be Joseph A. Banks, men’s clothier, will now be Yes! Market on the corner of 8th and Pennsylvania Ave. SE [514 8th Street, SE]. This was previously a Blockbuster. I wonder if the current Yes Market located between 6th and 7th and Pennsylvania Ave. will be closing. Any word on that?”

Wild. I spoke to an employee at the YES! store located at 658 Pennsylvania Ave SE and they say the Barracks Row location will be open in about six months. She also believes that the 658 Pennsylvania Ave SE store will remain open as well. Barrackrow.org now says:

“Yes! Organic Market announced today that they are relocating from their current Capitol Hill location at 658 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE to the former Blockbuster Video space on Barracks Row at 410 8th Street, Southeast.”

So if you live on Capitol Hill you’ll have lots of options to get your YES! Organic Market goods. Think the neighborhood can support the two stores?

Anyone disappointed that the Jos A Bank didn’t come through?

Ed. Note: Those interested in the history of the Erol’s video store can read about it here.

“Dear PoPville,

You may have already covered this with the SW Safeway, but the receipt checking has been rolled out at the L Street location too (Sexy Safeway, if one goes by the nicknames to identify the location). Ed. Note: CityVista Safeway

I’m through this location frequently, since I walk past it going home most nights and usually run in at least twice a week to pick up something random that I need for dinner that night or an item that I forgot. So usually 1-4 items picked up, and I’m usually quick to get in and get out so I can get home as early as possible. They just began their receipt checking in maybe the last week or so. The first time I smiled and said no thank you when she asked to see my receipt. She said–nicely–after me, “ok, next time then.” The second time, I did the same. Smiled and politely said no thank you, to which the checker snapped that it was store policy. I told her I wasn’t required to show her anything and kept walking. Seems they’re trying to get more aggressive at this point, but they still allow me to proceed no problem with just a quick, no thank you.

Last night I show up and it looks like a border crossing. They have at least 4 employees posted in the area between the starbucks and the elevators. There is a whole line of products that divide the area in two and people are being funneled into the narrower passage along the elevator wall so that it’s nearly impossible to exit without being physically blocked by the receipt checkers. I notice a distracted receipt checker on the side closest to the starbucks, the area they seemed to have designated as the entrance to the store, and walk right past. I glance out of the corner of my eye as I walk out the door to see the guy trying to wave me back and saying something although I’m out of ear shot at that point. I can see that they’re going to make it extremely difficult for anyone to pass without getting into an altercation, and they have no right to do so. They may ask me for my receipt, but I have every right to decline.

I’ve emailed the general customer service email and they’ve told me they’ve forwarded my complaint to the store manager and the district manager. I’ve also sent their twitter account a quick note since that method seems to get faster responses for other companies. I explained that it’s my personal property after I’ve paid, that I don’t need to stand in line for someone to glance at my receipt, and that I don’t appreciate being treated like a criminal whenever I shop at safeway.

If they’re concerned about shoplifting, then they need to redirect their resources in a way that will actually prevent shoplifting, not in a way that harasses every single customer who walks through their doors. I can see the situation escalating to the point where they block me (or anyone else who refuses this ‘policy’) or lay a hand on me to prevent me from leaving. It’s interesting that the instituted this policy here only after the Giant closed down. It’s gotten crowded enough in this location that I really don’t need to wait on yet another line for someone to search my bags before leaving the store. They’ll lose a customer fast (and I’m sure many others) if they continue this policy.”

Do you guys think the receipt checking is unreasonable? I think they do it at the Rhode Island Ave Home Depot as well. Would you stop shopping at a store that required you to show a receipt before leaving?

“Dear PoPville,

Credit where credit is due. As the author of the recent plea for better service at the CH Giant, I can say that this is exactly the sort of thing I’d hoped to see. Thanks to the manager and staff of the Giant for taking the community’s concerns seriously and responding. It’s good to see that they value their customers’ time and loyalty.”

Have you guys noticed smoother/faster lines now?

Ed. Note: Giant Consumer Affairs previously responded to neighborhood concerns here.

The wave of new openings in Foggy Bottom continues. The positive growth here is fantastic. Devon & Blakely, Roti, Sweet Green, Circa have all recently opened. Filter Coffeehouse, District Commons, Burger, Shake & Tap are all on the way and now Whole Foods opens Sept. 6th. Sweet.

For some reason many of us in PoPville are obsessed with grocery stores. And for those that are – this new Whole Foods will not disappoint. Ed. Note: Full Disclosure after the preview we all received gift bags including a liter of olive oil and sweet potato, potato chips – 2 known weaknesses of mine. The two level 36,000 square feet Whole Foods Foggy Bottom is located at 2201 Eye Street, NW. From a press release:

“The new store offers a host of exciting features, including a vast produce section with seasonal and local offerings; indulgent bakery section serving fresh-made cakes and pretzels, breads and gluten-free options; guaranteed fresh seafood bought straight from local boats and a meat department with over 80% of the meat sourced locally; and more.”

At the end of the day, it’s just a grocery store, but it’s an awesome grocery store.

Lots of photos after the jump. (more…)

Photo via Miguel from the MVSNA listserv

Thanks to all who’ve sent emails about the City Vista Safeway, located at 5th and L St, NW, now staying open 24 hours.

What other grocery stores are open 24 hrs?

Photo by PoPville flickr user rosiedawn

“Dear PoP,

I dropped a dime to Giant and linked your post about their continued crappy service at the Tivoli in Columbia Heights. I thought it was more than the standard response. I hope others did the same.
Stay high and dry”

Thank you for taking the time to contact us about our Tivoli Giant and the recent feedback being posted on one of the DC blogs. I am sorry to hear that you have stopped shopping with us as you also have become dissatisfied with this store. Your comments greatly concern us and we regret that we have disappointed you in so many areas.

I want to assure that we are as committed as ever to providing our customers with the best shopping experience. That includes clean stores, well-stocked shelves, a wide variety of products, quality produce, friendly, helpful staff and a speedy checkout. .

Please be assured that we take everyone’s observations and concerns most seriously and are diligently working to make improvements. I have shared your specific feedback as well as the feedback on the blog with the store’s district manager and appropriate supervision. They will follow up with the store manager to address the situation and take immediate steps to make improvements. We certainly want to make sure that this store measures up to our standards and our customers’ expectations.

We hope you will give us another chance. We would like to have the opportunity to serve you better in the future.

Sincerely,

Deborah Riley
Supervisor, Consumer Affairs

Photo by PoPville flickr user rosiedawn

“Dear PoPville,

On Friday night around 7:00 PM, I stopped into the Giant at Park and 14th St, NW to buy a couple of things for dinner. After 5 minutes of shopping, I hopped into the express aisle with about 5 people in front of me. 35 minutes later, I finally made it to the front of the line and got out of the store. As angry as this made me that night, it’s not remotely unusual. In fact, over two years I’ve probably booked hours in lines stretching halfway through the shopping aisles thinking about how ridiculously awful checkout is at this Giant. Is it that they always put underage checkers on the express aisles where beer and wine are often purchased? Is it that there’s no capacity to open the invariably closed lanes that are all too common during peak hours? Or more likely, is it that there’s no incentive provided to staff to quickly and accurately get people through the line?

Whatever the reason is, I’m more concerned about what it will take for things to improve. I admit I always say I’ll call the manager (whose number is listed on every receipt) when I leave, but I’m just so ready to get out and put the whole awful experience behind me that I never do. I’m curious about what the PoPville community thinks could be done to inspire some change. On Friday, I programmed the number into my phone so I can actually call him while waiting in one of his outlandish lines – maybe if more people did that and described exactly how bad the lines are, we could get things moving. Are there other ideas out there?

And just to be clear – there’s no question that there are actions the Giant management could take to have a positive impact on the lines; this isn’t an issue where there aren’t viable solutions available. I bet your readers (who, like me, have had a lot of time while they wait in line to think) have tons of ideas.”

Rendering via Roadside development

Thanks to all for sharing this big development. ANC rep Rachelle Nigro wrote yesterday:

“This afternoon I received information from Giant’s District manger that the Giant will be closing on September 8th. The pharmacy will close on August 22nd and the prescriptions will be transferred to the Safeway on L St. They are working on a shuttle bus schedule to the Giant on 14th and Park Rd.”

For those who haven’t been following these developments – it is part of the City Market at O project. You can learn about CityMarketatO here and here:

“Construction is slated to commence in February 2011 with the preservation and securing of the historic market structure. This will be succeeded in late Summer 2011 with the closing of the Giant Food storeand the razing of the grocery store and excavation of the site. The Giant will reopen in late summer 2013 with the 181-room limited service hotel and 400 units of market rate rental housing opening in early fall 2013. Completing the project, the 84-unit affordable senior housing building and 145-unit condominium will be delivered n fall 2014″

Photo by PoPville flickr user Nikoo’s Photos

“Dear PoPville,

I was wondering if you could do a survey of CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) programs in the area. We got a share this year for the first time from a guy out in West Virginia and have been super disappointed. The program was expensive and all we get each week is a sack of stevia, wilted/rotting lettuce, and some extra dirty potatoes. To boot, he follows up each delivery with emails whining about how hard it is for him to bring us the shares we’re paying for, and telling everyone that we should drive to his farm on the weekends to weed his (unproductive?) garden.

We’re going to ditch this guy next year, but we like the concept. We’ve heard that there are great CSAs out there, and wanted to know which ones your readers think have worked out well.”

Ed. Note: We spoke a bit about CSAs back in May ’10 here.