Harris Teeter has signed on to open a 50,000 square foot store at Constitution Square in the NoMa (North of Massachusetts Ave.) neighborhood in DC. But despite some reports that claim it will be the first in the district when it opens in 2010 or 2011, there are two other locations that have been scheduled to open for some time... and no dice.
We shopped at this North Carolina chain in college and were big fans. The stores are big, clean, and tend to have well-edited wine departments. HT already has several stores in the DC suburbs. Will DC finally get an upscale alternative to Safeway?
The rumors started in 2004, when buzz began to build about a Harris Teeter opening on Capitol Hill. In 2005, the Washington Post reported on an Adams Morgan location and, three years later, blogs began to announce that the opening was imminent. It was set for last month, and the city even altered traffic patterns to prepare for the crowds.
Guess what? Still no Teeter. Now there's news of the NoMa store, which will be part of a mixed use redevelopment of the neighborhood. Construction starts this month.
Maybe the NoMa store has smoother sailing because it's revitalizing a neglected area, whereas the other stores were up against opposition from the established neighbors (there was a fight in Adams Morgan about the store selling alcohol)?
We hear that the Capitol Hill and Adams Morgan stores should open this summer.
Any DC residents have the final scoop?
(Image: Harris Teeter)
Sorry, no scoop, but I'm disappointed to hear from AT that the Adams Morgan Teeter is actually not opening after all. I was really looking forward to having some local competition to give the very lacklustre Safeway a well deserved kick in the ass.
view rachel32's profile
The Cap Hill store is slated to open mid-May. But they keep pushing the opening off, so take that with a grain or palmful of salt. I do walk by regularly on morning dog walks, and I have seen the deli counter installed, so I know it's coming...
I am really looking forward to having more grocery shopping options on Capitol Hill.
view madcow77's profile
Sorry, I don't have any info for you, either, but I'll keep my fingers crossed!
The best thing about Harris Teeter is the service. The cashier removes your items from the cart for you, another person will bag your items, and they'll even help you take the bags out to your car if you'd like. I've never taken them up on that last option, but I bet it's very helpful for people shopping with kids in tow.
view Nougat's profile
I've walked by the location in Adams Morgan and it looks like it's heading towards opening. They seem to be hiring. I truly don't see how that neighborhood can take the traffic, no matter what they do to the traffic patterns. The building does have a good sized parking lot, but small compared to, say, Safeway on Capitol Hill. I didn't notice that it has any other parking besides that lot.
What I'm looking forward to is the new Yes Organic Market at 14th & V, opening this Spring, which should give Whole Foods some competition. Yes has really improved its prices, produce quality, and hours, and it's become a good option.
view Pixie's profile
Harris Teeter (or "the Teet" as we call it in my house) rocks. But I'd still love to see a Wegmans anywhere inside the Beltway...
view anninva's profile
The AM Harris Teeter has, as Pixie mentioned, been accepting applications, so that opening does seem imminent.
The one thing Pixie is incorrect about, though, is the parking. That parking lot doesn't belong to the supermarket, it's parking for the Dorchester House Apartments. The HT parking is in the garage under the supermarket.
view Ian B.'s profile
Thanks for clarifying Ian. Are you in that neighborhood?
view Pixie's profile
I thought that the AM store was supposed to open on the 23rd of April. I just asked on the AM Yahoo list and they said that was still the rumor.
view Cookography's profile
I am in the neighborhood and Ian B. is correct. I actually walked past the HT earlier this evening and saw some carts through the street-level windows so I'm assuming they're opening. Unless they are putting the "cart" before the horse, so to speak? ;)
BTW, I doubt we'd see an inside-the-Beltway Wegmans. I think when the FFX one opened I dimly recall the WashPo writing an article about it. Wegmans would be hard pressed to find the acreage for one of their behemoth stores. Don't get me wrong, I <3 Wegmans, too but it doesn't seem likely.
view htlvhwy's profile
Well there are a few Safeway alternatives. I live 2 blocks from WHole Foods and there is some kind of Whole Foods alternative being built (I can't remember the name except "Organic Market" is in the name) on 14th just above U...
view greeps's profile
The people at Harris Teeter corporate are also saying April 23rd.
view kezza's profile
greeps, that's the Yes Organic Market at 14th and V, which they say is opening this spring.
view Pixie's profile
There is a Harris Teeter on Penn near Capitol Hill. It looks open to me, I did a drive by a few days ago.
As for Wegmans. I also hate going to Fairfax but once you get there it's SO worth it. Most of the time though, I hit the organic market off Glebe.
view wwoolsey's profile