The last time we discussed a citizen-led campaign to convince a certain specialty grocer to open in D.C., we discovered our readers have a lot of opinions about their grocery store options. Well recently DCist met with Lydia Charles, the organizer of another similar effort to convince her favorite grocery store to open a store in the U Street NW neighborhood. Charles has just launched WeWantTraderJoes.com, the online arm of the petition she began circulating around MidCity at the beginning of this month. After abruptly losing access to a car, Charles said she became more aware of how limited shopping options are in her neighborhood, and believes the addition of a Trader Joe’s would be the best option for the rapidly growing area.
The Union Row development project on 14th and V streets has yet to confirm what retail stores will occupy the ground floor. Opening a Trader Joe’s grocery store in one of the two available spaces would not only provide another shopping option in the neighborhood, but one that’s mission is to offer quality products at everyday affordable prices. Such a store would meet the diverse tastes and incomes of the Greater U Street community.
Trader Joe’s, famous for its cheap wine and healthy-ish frozen food options, has one of the most cult-like followings of any grocer in this country. Recently the chain opened a store in Manhattan, to much fan fare, and their highly-anticipated first store in D.C. opens this Friday in the West End.
While we teased Columbia Heights residents for prostrating themselves before the cross of Whole Foods despite having a brand-new Giant at their disposal, we can certainly agree that the U street area is somewhat under-served in the market department. And unlike Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s is certainly one of the more affordable options, as Charles demonstrates by posting a receipt on her site. Still, we’re kind of fascinated by what appears to be a growing and relatively novel approach to urban redevelopment — the idea that consumers are willing to lobby specific corporations to come to them, as opposed to the other way around. Whether Trader Joe’s pays Charles’ campaign any mind remains to be seen. Certainly, the company will want to wait and see how well their West End store performs after it opens this week before committing to another store in the city.
So dear readers, have at it in the comments. Would you sign a petition to convince Trader Joe’s to open in MidCity?
