Georgetown Market Crawl, Part I
DCist's hard-hitting grocery store coverage continues, but here's a new one: the non-corporate corner shop. Sure, we love Trader Joe's (and his internationally named alter egos). And Whole Foods fetishism can gives you a grocery high, yes. But if we're gonna pay extra, why not do it at a good corner shop every now and then? Yes, they close before the workday ends and their prices are often high, but there's something special about knowing the details of your cashier’s personal life and saving the trouble of a long walk. Even better, you might be able to go those few steps barefoot.
The many markets hugging Wisconsin Avenue put the “town” in Georgetown—a neighborhood that savors its self-sufficient ways (read: bubble, but a convenient bubble nonetheless). And though Georgetowners may be sleeping with the lights on as of late, they still run out of cups of sugar and toilet paper as they always have. Thus begins a two-day feature on Georgetown’s corner shop scene.
Sara’s Market
3008 Q Street NW
The Lowdown: On the G2 route, a couple blocks from a mansion recently listed at $28 million, Sara’s has been Sara’s since the 1920s. Look for the floral curtains and “Open” flag with blue and yellow stripes outside. They're not so open, though, to some shoppers; a typed sign on the door says, “We love your dogs, but they’re not allowed inside the market.” Inside on a wall space, many locals advertise weekend garage sales and nursing services, complete with tear-off phone numbers.
Highlights: The only market that sells Aspects of Georgetown ($15)—a collection of short essays written by the owner’s neighbor. Who knows if the three copies will ever sell, but Sara’s earns a few points for being cute. The whole first aisle is dedicated to wines. All bottles are lying on their backs, creating a cellar feel. They’ve got a hefty range of marinades, dressings, oils and vinegars in the middle—Newman’s Own, Annie’s Naturals, World Harbor, Brianna's, Girard’s, Stubb’s. Guess it’s not cool to have a dry salad in these parts. Other stand-outs include Maple Grove boysenberry syrup, Medford Farms apple butter, That Pickle Guy’s mild giardiniera from Chicago. Sara's even has some fancy facial products—Jason Red Elements Red Clay Masque goes for $15.99.
Deli: No. But there are pre-made sandwiches in the fridge. And next to it, some decent-looking produce—grapefruit, cucumbers, and Saran-wrapped strawberry baskets. The highest quality of all the Georgetown markets in the produce "department."
Fresh Bread: Yes. Baguettes for $1.89 each, delivered daily from Rico Bakery—a supplier based in Georgetown. They used to buy from Marvelous Market, but it was marvelously pricey at more than two bucks per loaf.
A Word From Sukyant: Owner of 15 years, Sukyant Johnson thinks of her establishment as if it were a European market—shoppers check in daily for “bread, milk and toilet paper.” The necessities. They have little tolerance for trying new stuff. Near the register, Johnson dedicates a wall to postcards from globetrotting customers and to her husband’s travels. Paris, Geneva, the Caribbean, even Boise, Idaho. “I’ve been trapped inside for almost 15 years, so it’s good to see the world somehow.”
Hours: 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. daily.
Scheele's Market
1331 29th Street NW
The Lowdown: Owned by a Korean couple, the Lees, for the past 17 years. Kye Lee is the queen of sticking her home-made signs, reminders and rules all over the four-aisle shop. The classy KJdisplay cries out—in dying red marker— “Free Gift Bags!” with every purchase. Written on tape, wrapped around the door knob, she gently instructs, “Turn and Pull.” A laminated, typed note near the coffee pot warns that if it's brewing, wait until it stops dripping. She is especially proud of this one—she made it on the computer. Her boombox sits on the deli counter, bumping classical music all day—what her regulars call “sleepy music.”
Highlights: You might see George Stephanopoulos inside. Lee says he’s one of her many “celebrities.” She has a few bits of produce in the glass deli case—but eat with caution. The pale, pink tomatoes are not the store's strength. Nice selection of magazines up front, ranging from the trashy—US Weekly, In Touch—to the newsy—Time, New York magazine. Each fridge is well organized and has a job. But “Please don’t leave the door open for more than 30 seconds!” That one’s on a Post-It note. The dairy fridge has soy milk ($3.59), and right above are lunch meats—namely Oscar Mayer bologna ($2.69). A special shout-out to individually wrapped Scooby Doo Push-Ups in the frozen dessert department. Remember when fluorescent rainbow sherbet was so good? Lee claims her prices are cheaper than Safeway.
Deli: Yes. Scheele’s used to do a butcher service, but when people stopped caring, they nixed it. Now they keep a few frozen meats—store-bought ground beef and pork chops, both with freezer burn—stocked in the fridge, just in case. As far as the deli sandwiches go, Lee says that she doesn’t do it for the money. Most of her deli customers are construction workers in the neighborhood, and she strives to keep their bellies full. Nowhere else can they get a hot steak and cheese for five bucks. Most sandwiches are between $2.50-$3.50 and made with Uptown Bakery baguette.
Fresh Bread: Yes. Uptown Bakers for Panne loaf bread and rolls. But just like at Sara’s Market, the baguettes come from Rico Bakery, a Georgetown supplier.
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 8 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Sun., 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Georgetown Wine and Spirits
2701 P Street NW
The Lowdown: About the same size as the others, but dedicated solely to fancy booze. Not for the toilet paper or milk emergencies. Look for the classy, red-and-white-striped awning out front.
Highlights: The Refrigerated Beer Room in the back, which anyone can easily gloss over. Look for the “Low Clearance” yellow tape and handle bar. Pull the lever down and take a nice step up. Inside awaits Dogfish Head, Magic Hats, Allagash White, Otter Creek, He'brew, Delirium Nocturnum. An icy closet of all the good stuff.
Deli: No. Food in general is very limited. Mostly gourmet snacks for the booze, typically imported, but they've also got your Planters peanuts. Stand-outs include fancy chocolate truffles, Claudel brie ($5.99) and pork or chicken liver mousse ($7.99).
Tastings: Yes. Every Friday between 5-8 p.m. and Saturdays between 4-7 p.m. It wasn’t even a Friday or Saturday, but last week, a woman was setting up an Italian rosé Ciro right then and there. She was so ready to discuss its red wine structure and white wine acidity.
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Photo by flickr user Katmere.