Help Bring Whole Foods Market To Columbia Heights!
Would you like Whole Foods Market to come to Columbia Heights? You can join our campaign to bring Whole Foods Market to the DC USA retail complex! The best way for you to voice your support for Whole Foods is to email Karen Riley at karen.riley@wholefoods.com. Karen Riley is the real estate coordinator for Whole Foods Market. She can demonstrate the level of our support directly to the Whole Foods team working on the negotiations. Please be as descriptive as you can in your emails. Please also cc or bcc your emails to Ms. Riley to us at info@columbiaheightsnews.org. We need to keep a running tally of how many messages have been sent to Whole Foods Market so we can gage how much more work we need to do. The more people who can email Whole Foods Market the more powerful our collective voices will be! It looks like we are facing an uphill battle but as a community we can make a difference! Please spread the word!
We apologize for the delay in providing an update on the Whole Foods situation. We regret even more that this latest update may be the least hopeful. The situation does not look good. And it looks even worse when you consider who the top contender for the space maybe now...you guessed it - Ross Dress For Less.
Our good neighborhood resident, Adam, already had a leg up on this story which he posted on our forum. Please read this thread, No Whole Foods, No Trader Joes. Our hearts sank when we read it. We immediately tried to contact Karen Riley, the Real Estate Coordinator at Whole Foods, to verify whether Whole Foods has indeed backed out of DC USA. Ms. Riley has become increasingly difficult to get a hold of. We finally got a hold of her last week.
Ms. Riley informed us that the negotiations with DC USA developers have stagnated. In fact, Ms. Riley said she hadn't spoken with a representative from DC USA for many months now. She stated the primary reason for the impasse was the lack of dedicated parking. We asked her to provide an official statement from Whole Foods regarding its decision and a detailed explanation for why it was made. Unfortunately we are yet to receive such a statement. We would like to publish such a statement to bring some finality to the hundreds of community residents who demonstrated such strong support for Whole Foods.
To date, we have been copied on 332 emails that were sent to Ms. Riley by residents expressing support for Whole Foods. We wish that everyone could be privy to these emails and not just us and Whole Foods. Then you would get a sense of just how powerful our campaign was. But we are bound to protect everyone's privacy and guard your identities from spammers, telemarketers, and the like. Nearly every email was extremely heartfelt. We were amazed by the insight and persuasiveness of so many of them. We don't know how any retailer could, in its right mind, back out with the kind of support that this community has demonstrated. It is with our deepest regret to have to inform you of such a disappointing outcome after the valiant effort put forth by so many community members.
If there is anyone who wouldn't mind having your emails published here, please let us know. We can strip out any personal information that you may have included. In the mean time, you can get some sense of what residents have been writing to Whole Foods by reading some of the petition entries. As a last ditch effort, we will compile all the emails and petition entries into a single document and send it Whole Foods Chairman, John Mackey.
We hate to be bearers of such bad news so we thought we could provide a positive update on what other retailers have expressed interest in the space left behind by Whole Foods. But as we mentioned above, the news doesn't get any better. Last week we spoke with Peter Mallios of Newmark Knight Frank, the leasing firm for DC USA. Despite being very difficult to get a hold of, Mr. Mallios was very informative when we finally reached him. He confirmed our fears of Whole Foods backing out. The retail space that had been allocated for Whole Foods is 50,000 square feet which is nearly equally divided on two levels. Mallios stated that the space can now be cut to whatever size required by a prospective tenant. The current plan is to set aside one level and a half to Ross Dress for Less, and the remaining space to a furniture retailer (maybe La-Z-Boy).
Mallios did mention that there had been some effort put forth to recruit Trader Joes but it was to no avail thus far. On a somewhat positive note, Mallios stated that nothing is written in stone a this point and directing community support to Trader Joes could help. He mentioned that the DC USA developers regard Trader Joes as a perfect complement to the existing Giant and would love to have it as a tenant. We are currently trying to gather as much information about this as we can. We have already spoken with four Trader Joes representatives and are close to getting to the bottom of this. We will post something shortly, once we get a definitive answer.
Aside from a specialty grocer, we still feel that one thing that this community would be lacking is a good bookstore, whether it be independent (Olsson's, Kramerbooks, etc) or national (Borders, Barnes and Nobles, Books-A-Million, etc). Perhaps we can explore this or any other suggestions you may have.
Comments
Written by New2CH on 2007-04-13 13:01:18First, re the butcher, that and another Anne Cashion venture were supposed to go into the building owned by Hope 7 Monroe. Given that the owner of that building is now in jail and the project is on indefinite hiatus, does not look like that is happening anytime in the forseeable future, alas. I agree that a butcher or fresh fish store would rock. Second, here is a note I sent to the DC USA dude:
I am a resident of Columbia Heights living one block from D.C. USA. I, like many others in the neighborhood, are excited about the arrival of the D.C. USA center. Unfortunately, I, as well as many other area residents, am disappointed with the mix of commercial entities currently being discussed as potential tenants.
Columbia Heights has many needs. One need is for a gym, and I'm glad that Washington Sports Club has signed on. I think most folks are happy about Target and Best Buy as well. But the proliferation of discount stores like Pay Less, Marshall's and Ross Dress for Less, and atrocious, unhealthy chains like Panda Express, Maggie Moo's and Quiznos, are not what the doctor ordered.
A few suggestions for retailers you might consider soliciting:
-- ANY kind of grocer, preferably a high-end grocer. The Giant Supermarket is often totally mobbed. Once the new condos open and more foot traffic comes to the area by virtue of DC USA and increased metro service, the lone food retailers in the area will be overwhelmed. I understand that Whole Foods is no longer a possibility, but ANY small, medium or large food retailers would make an absolute killing in this area. Some possible ideas: Bloom, Rodmans' Discount Gormet, Trader Joe's
-- A Cost Plus World Market or other comparable medium to high end furnishings store, maybe a Crate & Barrel or something.
-- Diverse sit-down dining options. Columbia Heights (incredibly) currently has no sushi, Italian, Greek, Japanese, credible Chinese, Indian, Seafood, Ethiopian or Thai restaurants -- any of these places would do great. There is also no place to get good pizza by the slice (or actually, right now, any kind of pizza at all). If you want an ice cream chain, why not Haagen Daaz or Ben & Jerry's? Or even better, something along the lines of Emac and Bolio's or Thomas Sweet? I think a high-quality, local pizza or Italian chain like Three Brothers or Mamma Lucia's would be IDEAL and be immediately swamped with customers.
-- For DC USA to attract the type of affluent, high-disposable income shoppers that any shopping center desires, it would be great to get even a few (not exclusively, just a few) higher-end apparel retailers to balance our Marshall's and Target. H&M, in particular, would be perfect: moderately priced but fashionable, just the type of store that would appeal to the Columbia Heights demographic.
-- A Barnes & Nobles, Virgin Records, Borders or Newbury Comics, or other book/record type stores with a high "hang out" appeal would also really attract, I believe a deeper, younger, and wider shopper demographic to your development, as well as the type of shoppers more likely to hang around for longer shopping sprees.
These are just one man's suggestions. For others, check: http://www.columbiaheightsnews.org/Home/Whole-Foods/Whole-Foods-Or-Ross-.html
The more general point is, I am little chagrined that DC USA has not sought out any (so far as I am aware) community input as to what type of retailers you will lease to. Not only would this build good community relationships, but it could also serve as valuable market research that would enable more successful pitches to prospective tenants. Basically, a win-win situation.
Thanks for entertaining my thoughts, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Written by Mel on 2007-04-13 13:30:06If you want better retail, your time may be better spent sending your comments to Grid Properties/ DC USA, your ANCs, councilmembers and the Mayor to lobby on behalf of the community. Does anyone know if the DC USA folks regularly read this website anyway?
Written by New2CH on 2007-04-13 15:13:25That was actually just a copy of an email I sent to DC USA.
Written by motivatedCH on 2007-04-15 13:01:54I think one approach that has not been considered here yet is to contact the surrounding developers (i.e.Donatelli and Klien), and make sure they are aware of the Ross over Grocery Store dilemma. After all, the long term viability of their projects and new tenants are directly tied to DCUSA's retail tenants. Additionally, Donatelli and Klien seem to have much more insight into the neighborhoods in DC and what the neighborhood residents want and need. Sell D & K on the importance of a different tenant than Ross, and then hopefully D & K would impose thir will on the DCUSA folks. A few powerful lobbyists with similar goals, backed by a motivated community could make a big difference.
Written by
on 2007-04-15 20:35:06I agree with all previous postings which argue that Ross is not the ideal retailer for the DC USA Complex. Perhaps the best argument against the inclusion of Ross is this one: there are already two other planned retailers who will sell discount clothing in DC USA - Target and Marshalls. The last thing this new, inspiring complex needs is too much competition in one retail area, and at worst, a store forced to close for lack of business. This situation is starting to look similar to the feared dry cleaners situation in C.H. - too many and, potentially, not enough business to support them all. The second powerful argument for a different type of retailer is the new and growing population of C.H., who are young and energetic, and would benefit greatly by a good restaurant, up scale bar, and bookstore/cafe. I know many in this area who would greatly enjoy those amenities in this burgeoning neighborhood. To Newmark Knight Frank, please rethink your decision.
Written by Mel on 2007-04-17 10:07:48I am guessing that the condos across the street are probably 80 to 90 percent already pre-sold. So the owners are basically locked in and D/K isn't concerned about the retail across the street anymore. I called about a unit in the Allegro last week and the sales guy tried to tell me that Whole Foods was still a possibility. I told him about Ross and he seemed surprised. Is it wrong to feel sorry for someone who committed to spending a half mil on a condo thinking they would live near a whole foods??
Written by Question on 2007-04-17 12:41:59They still do live near a Whole Foods.
Besides, anyone who's buying a half-million dollar condo without doing any additional research into what the developer is telling them is obviously so wealthy that they don't need our sympathy.
Borders can work Written by
on 2007-04-27 12:46:11As I think about this more, it makes a lot more sense to make a push for Borders in addition to other options. 1) Borders is located in a shopping center with essentially the same mix of tenants next to Pentagon City (Best Buy, Linens N Things, Starbucks, etc.), so we know they don't have an issue with the tenant mix, and don't require dedicated parking. Additionally, I have been to locations that have had multiple floors so they don't have an issue with that. They sound pretty low maintenance. 2) This would not be duplicative retail since there is no bookstore (pardon, large bookstore) anywhere between downtown and Friendship Heights.
Written by Mike on 2007-12-16 21:33:23I think an immediate e-mail campaign should start to Wegmans.
Wegmans may push back initially because of the lack of size. However, I have heard they really want to open a store in the city.
This might be a great way for them to prove themselves to DC how dedicated they really are and teach Whole Foods and Traders Joes a lesson in real customer service!
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Would you like Whole Foods Market to come to Columbia Heights? You can join our campaign to bring Whole Foods Market to the 
We apologize for the delay in providing an update on the 
Ms. Riley informed us that the negotiations with DC USA developers have stagnated. In fact, Ms. Riley said she hadn't spoken with a representative from DC USA for many months now. She stated the primary reason for the impasse was the lack of dedicated parking. We asked her to provide an official statement from Whole Foods regarding its decision and a detailed explanation for why it was made. Unfortunately we are yet to receive such a statement. We would like to publish such a statement to bring some finality to the hundreds of community residents who demonstrated such strong support for Whole Foods.
We hate to be bearers of such bad news so we thought we could provide a positive update on what other retailers have expressed interest in the space left behind by Whole Foods. But as we mentioned above, the news doesn't get any better. Last week we spoke with Peter Mallios of Newmark Knight Frank, the leasing firm for DC USA. Despite being very difficult to get a hold of, Mr. Mallios was very informative when we finally reached him. He confirmed our fears of Whole Foods backing out. The retail space that had been allocated for Whole Foods is 50,000 square feet which is nearly equally divided on two levels. Mallios stated that the space can now be cut to whatever size required by a prospective tenant. The current plan is to set aside one level and a half to Ross Dress for Less, and the remaining space to a furniture retailer (maybe La-Z-Boy).
