Photo by The West End.

Over at City Paper, Lydia DePillis throws down the gauntlet on future supermarket development at 14th and U streets NW. Citing a “very good source,” DePillis writes that Trader Joe’s, that haunt of young urbanites and Baby Bjorn-toting parents in search of tasty, sometimes off-kilter groceries, is going to be a centerpiece of a new retail and residential development going up at the busy intersection.

In fact, DePillis even wagers her shopping habits on it:

…[It] makes all the sense in the world. Trader Joe’s only needs between 10,000 and 15,000 square feet, on “high-traffic community strips,” according to a checklist passed on to me by a development consultant. Their only other D.C. location in Foggy Bottom has absurd checkout lines. Other than Best DC Supermarket on 15th, and the nichey Yes! Organic Market at 14th and V, there are no grocers in that immediate area. And the surrounding community has very high income and education levels, which are the main demographic characteristics Trader Joe’s looks for in a new location.

So consider that a solid bet. If I’m wrong, I’ll shop at Walmart for a month.

As a City Paper alumnus, I know better than to bet against Housing Complex. Trader Joe’s would be perfect for that neighborhood. I look forward to future meals of Fast Gourmet sandwiches accompanied by Three Buck Chuck.