It’s Official: Balducci’s Is Reconsidering Penn Quarter Plans

And the great tease continues!

Balducci’s, Magruder’s and A&P? wide range of identities there. Magruder’s looks pretty similar to the Safeway. And A&P doesn’t look to have any other large urban locations, will they fit in? (correct any of my broad assessments, please). I think Balducci’s would best expand our neighborhood resources, thank you very much.

frankly, I think an A & P (or Super Fresh) would be much better than a Balducci’s. if any of you have been to the Super Fresh (owned by A & P) in AU Park at 48th and Yuma, NW, you’d know that the mix of products is just right for a small store and the prices are much better than Balducci’s. everything is available including quality meat, fish, vegetables, bakery items, canned/packaged goods and beer/wine.

All I know is, when they put out the port-a-potties with the metal fencing is when I’ll stop holding my breath. This is good news though!

I agree with PQ. I think the price will be fitting for the neighborhood because some people expect things to be expensive and will just live with it. But is there really a reason to pay more just because? I’m all for bringing in anything at this point, but I’d be more happy to have someone with reasonable hours(open till 10pm) and prices. Alas, I’ll be moved out of the neighborhood long before it comes to light anyway.. Oh well. Love this site!

I wish Balducci would sub-lease the space to A & P Fresh Market. We don’t need a wishy-washy retailer in the neighborhood like Balducci’s. A & P can do this the right way. Any grocer would be nice, but Balducci’s is really not the best we can do for the neighborhood.

Balducci’s is too wishy-washy to be taken seriously at this point. Sub-lease the space please, Mr. & Mrs. Balducci.

One of the reasons I moved into this ‘hood is because of the grocery store coming in. They may dangle the carrot so long that I’ll give up and move to a neighborhood that actually HAS a grocery store. I don’t care what the name is, just so long as it sells food (beer and wine would be nice) and is open late enough to allow me to get to it. The primary consideration is that it’s OPEN, not considered, not proposed, but open!

this story is in the WPost today.

Balducci’s Reconsiders Store in Penn Quarter

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/11/AR2006071101288.html

to add to my earlier comment, my foremost interest is in seeing a grocer in that space, no matter who it might be.

I, too, just want to see ANY grocer in that building! Especially in this hot, humid weather, it’s not so fun to schlep to Safeway at Waterfront-SEU or Whole Foods at 15th & P.

I moved to PQ from Cleveland Park, where there is a Magruder’s. It is decent for basic stuff, but very small and cramped – I mean, seriously, the size of an apartment – and has an ancient-looking selection of frozen foods. I think the same lone box of Amy’s vegetable pizza was there the whole time I lived in CP.

pqresident et al, anon #1 here again (need to get a profile). i agree getting any grocer is my priority.

but after looking at Super Fresh website, i simply don’t see any big difference from a Safeway or what my current Peapod service would bring.

Balducci’s website has an entirely different product line. you aren’t paying more “just because”.

Actually, A&P Fresh Market is A&P’s “Whole Foods” type store. They focus on fresh produce, organic and natural items and customer service. They have large delis, bakeries and meat counters. I think it would be great for our neighborhood. I am happy that a grocer is moving in to the space, I just hope Balducci’s leases it out to someone else.

I like the debate going on here, and despite what PQNA says, I don’t think we need to have a unified neighborhood strategy regarding the Lafayette space. From today’s Post article, it is clear that the city is willing to bend over backwards to get a grocer in the space. And frankly, given the demand, any grocer who passes up the opportunity will be replaced by another.

Personally, Balducci’s is a bit rich for my blood, so I’d prefer to have a grocer that could fulfill my everyday needs. As long as I can get produce and meats at reasonable prices, I could care less how much prestige a grocer brings to the neighborhood.

There’s a sign over on a New York Ave construction site for a Safeway, fwiw. The site is still a hole in the ground, but there will at least be a store there eventually.

In the meantime, there’s a smallish Giant at 7th & O, which ain’t great but is better than shopping at CVS.