After a few false starts, it’s finally official — we just received a press release from Ellwood Thompson‘s CEO Ryan Youngman, who said a deal was signed at about 2 p.m. today for a location in the DC USA shopping center.

The release says the supermarket, which has one branch in Richmond, will open on Irving Street NW in Columbia Heights in fall or winter of 2009. The store will focus on products found within a 100-mile radius, and will also have prepared foods and organic, vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, and raw offerings. Spokesperson Lesley Johnson told us they plan to pursue a license to sell beer and wine as well.

The release also says the store will try to emphasize conservation with “monetary envirocredits” for people who don’t drive to the store or who reuse bags and containers. Interesting. The full press release is here.

We look forward the store and hope it reduces the ridiculous lines at the Giant on Park Road. Any other opinions, or some words from people familiar with the Richmond store?