We have not received any substantial updates on the efforts to bring Whole Foods Market to DC USA for the past several months.  All we know is that negotiations continue.  The same major sticking point remains - the inability to meet Whole Food's demand for dedicated parking.  Drew Greenwald, President of Grid Properties, recently informed us that they have not given up on Whole Foods yet but they do have, "many other exciting retailers that are also looking at the site as well."  Mr. Greenwald did not elaborate any further.

We have found it very difficult to reach Ms. Riley lately.  The last time we heard from her was in late March when she explained to us that our emails were making a positive impact and that we should continue directing our emails of support to her.  We are still waiting for an update from her.

We wish that a final decision could be made soon, one way or the other.  On a positive note, it gives those of us who support Whole Foods Market more time to influence the decision.  If you haven't already, please write the designated point of contact for our Whole Foods campaign, Karen Riley, at .  For those who have already written Ms. Riley, and would like to share more of your thoughts to her, please do so.  To help us keep track of the volume of emails being sent to Ms. Riley, please let us know that you have emailed her or simply copy us on the email. 

As always, you can continue to share your thoughts with others on our online petition.  We have already compiled some of the responses on the petition and sent it to Whole Foods Market chairman, John Mackey, a few weeks ago.  We will keep you posted on any more updates that we receive.

Comments

Written by GforGood on 2006-08-15 09:18:36 Thanks for the update and your efforts! The possible alternatives do not sound bad either, although I have no experience with any of them.

Written by on 2006-08-15 20:21:26 I wouldn't mind a sporting goods store like REI. There is only one store like it (hudson trail outfitters) in the district.

Written by lisat on 2006-08-15 22:18:27 Great! Target, Best Buy, Starbucks, AND Whole Foods! Maybe we can get a Sprawl-Mart across 14th and be a REALLY unique neighborhood.    I admire and appreciate community efforts (when they actually benefit a community), but I don't see the average populace of CH "hungering" for the corporate flesh-peddling, union-busting, pseudo-environmentally-conscious, capitalist thief that is Whole Foods. At least not on my street.    How about we work to bring a community-owned and run co-op with locally grown and affordable foods to the area?

Written by on 2006-08-16 09:03:06 I live within walking distance from the site. I wouldn't need parking, also I believe that there are some residents that currently offer a service to pick people and their groceries up from GIANT (Right now) Hint hint... business opportunity...    Whole foods... we don't need no stinking parking... :)

Written by on 2006-08-17 11:23:23 The average populace of CH are hard-working working class folks who live paycheck to paycheck and shop at whatever store will offer them the lowest prices - something that neither Whole Foods nor a co-op can offer them. I assure you that your concerns for making sure that the stores you shop at are meat-free and environmentally friendly are far from the minds of most CH residents - at least until they are all forced to move elsewhere. This is the fine line that every socially conscious liberal (such as myself) must navigate.

Written by GforGood on 2006-08-17 13:51:36 That is true. That does not mean the option of Whole Foods should not be there. Not everything has to cater for the average resident either. It is of course conceivable that a store lower prices could be brought in its place. However, DC USA does not seem to be getting interest from such low price stores, is not approaching them, or, in any case, not negotiating with any. Probably the space is too expensive for such stores.

Written by on 2006-08-17 15:21:32 I don't disagree with you. And I'm not trying to argue for or against Whole Foods versus some other kind of grocery store. I'm just making the point that the concerns that were identified in the previous post are the concerns of someone who has the wherewithal to have those kinds of choices in the first place. My guess is that most people in CH do not, and too often we lose sight of this fact.

Shop the Bodega!! Yeah! Written by Not P-2-P on 2006-08-18 08:39:29 Admit it. There are an increasing number of "non paycheck to paycheck" types moving to CH. The P-2-P types have the little Hispanic/Korean markets on Mt Pleasant and the Giant, since is useless for anything other than staples. I think it's only fair to have a Whole Foods-type store -- to balance out the Ruby Tues, Cinnabun and Dress Barn.

What about the vendors... Written by Forgot some... on 2006-08-18 09:29:52 You forgot about the vendors selling watermelon, papaya, etc off the backs of trucks at 14th & Park. Don't forget the vendors in front of Sacred Heart, either.

Big Change Coming Written by Big Change on 2006-08-18 18:20:53 Fair enough to consider that with about a thousand high-end units opening up within one city block of the CH metro in the next year (and triple that within a 5-block radius), the character of the neighborhood is going to change. Radically. These will be the people with disposable income. They will drive the types of stores that open up shop in the neighborhood long-term.

Written by on 2006-08-21 13:21:48 Any chance of a Trader Joes? They also have a great organic and natural selection, but at much better prices than WHole Foods. Often half the price. Granted, the selection is not as extensive, but there is a Giant next door with everything else you can want. besides, is it that hard to get to P street, especially if you already have a car?