After some Columbia Heights residents raised a stink about the discount retailers at the DC USA shopping center and campaigned in vain for a Whole Foods, there’s something they can be happy about: an organic grocery store, Richmond-based Ellwood Thompson’s, could be coming to the neighborhood in 18 months.

While the Express’ FreeRide blog said the store will only move into an eco-friendly Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (or LEED) certified building, we contacted company spokesperson Lesley Johnson, who told us that “Ellwood Thompson’s preference is to be located in a green or LEED-certified building, but we will consider other locations in Columbia Heights if a green development isn’t available.”

When asked about the DC USA shopping center at 14th and Irving Streets NW, which appears not to be LEED-certified, she said “We’ve seen the DC USA site. It’s a great location and we’re definitely interested.” She added the store is looking to rent and probably would not build their own facility. Johnson also said “we’ve heard some mention of” the residents’ campaign for a Whole Foods.

The store, which has only one location in Richmond, carries mostly organic produce and tries to purchase from local farmers and suppliers. It carries free-range and organic meat and doesn’t carry products with certain chemicals or high-fructose corn syrup.

When asked to compare the store with other grocery stores, Johnson cited the “ease of shopping” at Trader Joe’s and the “focus on freshness and quality” of Whole Foods. Just browsing the store’s website, it reminds us of an organic version of Rodman’s or a super-size Yes! or My Organic Market. The Ellwood Thompson’s, My and Yes! websites are so similar because they’re all hosted by the same company. Johnson said Thompson’s should have a new website in a month or so.

So, Columbia Heightsters, is this what you were looking for?

Photo by sailor/girl