Super Fresh Pulls Out Of Rockville Town Square
Mar 26, 2010 17:36 - 33 Comments
Confirming what some have suspected for some time, the grocery chain A&P announced that they will not be opening a “Super Fresh” grocery store in the space they had leased at Rockville Town Square. A&P had signed a 20-year lease for the space but it had lain dormant since being built. On many occasions (for instance, at the Town Center Action Team Summit last year), community members and others asked whether Super Fresh was a “go,” only to be told that things were progressing and all seemed well. Still, many expressed skepticism that they would see the high-end grocery store open at the corner of Beall Ave. and N. Washington St., and they have been proven correct.The City issued a press release on the subject late this afternoon which appears below in its entirety:>
The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company, Inc., (A&P) of Montvale, N.J., announced today that a Super Fresh grocery store will not open in Rockville Town Square, as previously planned.“We’ve been waiting for quite some time for the Super Fresh to open,” said Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio. “While this is disappointing news, we at last know the situation and can now move forward.”
In 2007, the A&P signed a 20-year lease to open a Super Fresh store in Town Square. Since the lease was signed, City officials and Federal Realty have worked closely with A&P with a goal of a timely and successful opening.
“Federal Realty is disappointed with A&P’s decision to not open Super Fresh at Rockville Town Square,” said Robin McBride, vice president, Mid Atlantic region chief operating officer for Federal Realty. “We have worked with A&P for five years to help them plan, design and permit their store. We are actively looking for a replacement tenant for the space that will enhance the existing merchandising mix and consumer experience at the property.”
“Everyone recognizes the importance of this site,” said Scott Ullery, City Manager. “Town Square has done very well in a difficult economy, and a new tenant in this site can only add to its success. We are excited by the possibilities.”
Let’s see this as an opportunity to move forward. What kind of shop do you think ought to be there? Do we need a grocery store? Or maybe a destination anchor store? How about a Gap or a Barnes and Noble? Something else?
Let us know in the comments!
Our top need continues to be food, as clothing and shelter have longer shelf lives. And books and clothing are already available, and don’t need to be replaced as often. A grocery store will bring the most foot traffic to town center, and keep many from having to drive to restock their fridges. We already have most grocery chains represented in our vicinity, so they may not want to compete with themselves. I vote for a Sniders, as is located on Seminary and GA Ave. Good produce, nice deli, and beverage selection, all in a store that’ll fit the space (smaller than most chains).
I think a place like >Grosvenor Market would be a good fit. I wonder if they would consider opening up a second store.
I am not happy with the Giant behind Animal Exchange, since I started going. I’d appreciate another option. Giant has gone downhill since the Izzy days.
At first thought this was great news, SuperFresh was dragging their feet, clearly not going to move in anytime soon and perhaps someone else would jump at the chance to open a grocery store there, but the more I think about it, I’m not sure. Generally speaking, when an entity releases press on a Friday afternoon it’s usually because the entity releasing the news want’s it to get buried in the weekend shuffle and be ignored. Is this the City and FRIT’s intent or is this purely a coincidence? Any Rockville insiders know? If they want it buried, then their potential prospects for bringing another tenant in there are likely extremely poor.I agree w/ Herb and Josh, this needs to be a grocery store, wonder if Trade Joe’s would move from the pike? Ukrops is great (VA chain) but may be too large.
Two words: hardware store.
Much as I’d love a hardware store, I’d be happier with one in the old Giant store where there’s some parking. But for the now-vacant Superfresh site, how about Trader Joe’s, MOM’s, Roots, some other option than the regular chains we can already find without a long drive anywhere?
I think it will be important to know WHY they pulled out. If they think the apt. dwellers are insufficient to support such a store, the city and federated will have to figure out what WILL and go after that.What is the occupancy/vacancy rate in Town Center right now?And Adam, I’m not sure the city was even obligated to issue a release, and could easily have not done so. The information could have just been included in the city manager’s report at the next mayor and council meeting. The city manager has been regularly updating the mayor and council, which had sent another “what’s up” letter to A&P not that long ago. BTW, I LOVED Snider’s during my 10 years in Silver Spring.
This is a real shame. I think the presence of the rotting old empty Giant, that’s just been SITTING THERE, slowly deteriorating for seven years now, is a blight on Rockville. The “new” Giant on Hungerford is deficient in almost every way: poor parking, the store’s cramped and dreary-looking with just basics available for purchase. Like Theresa, I think it’s important to learn WHY they felt that Town Center didn’t offer an adequate potential consumer base.
Speaking of Giant, yesterday I was there as they were completing the rearranging of the sections and shelving.As I went down the cereal aisle I noticed as I neared the end that the rest of it was ALL candy. The two were right next to each other, on the same side. Picturing parents with young children who knew how to purposely avoid the candy aisle during the previous configuration now having heart failure as they walked down the new row for the first time, i asked the stockman what was up.He confirmed the change was just underway yesterday and was “permanent” and agreed it was bad news for parents.While I was waiting in line I saw the manager and told him I thought the change was unwise. Over the years, supermarkets have become more aware of this issue and have made candy-free check-out aisles. Why would Giant go backwards and have candy and cereal on the same aisle?The guy shrugged his shoulders and said “you’re right.” How did this happen? “Beats me. Guess no one thought of this.”He said he would take it up with corporate during a meeting next week. I’m not holding my breath.So if you agree with me-even if you don’t have younger kids now-please contact the store management to express your concerns.Making health food choices is already hard enough. Two-thirds of the cereal choices are sugar based faux desserts already (cookie cereal, etc).You should haven’t to deal with a kid wanting candy because he happened to see it as you were buying cereal.Second, they have now moved the “health” food to produce. Personally, I never go to produce because I shop for those items at Whole Foods and Moms, but there are times when I am low on something i knew where to find it.Pushing it aside to produce makes is less accessible and reinforces the idea that somehow “health” food is a luxury and shouldn’t be mixed in with the “normal” food. Such unenlightened thinking!
A & P made a business decision based on their own situation and goals. It is possible that other grocery chains could look at the same market data and decide that Town Square fits their model. They don’t all occupy the same market niche.While I prefer a grocery store, what we really need is a thrivingl shop that brings people to the square. This will all be market driven, as it should be. If a hardware store can succeed in Town Square then we’re likely to see one some time.I’m happy that A&P finally made a decision and now we can move on,Mark
I would like a MOM or a ROOTS store.
Yes, a MOM or Roots would be great there!
I love the suggestions. As councilman Pierzchala states it should be market driven. Personally I would love a grocery store but it would be nice to have it filled with any successful retail business.
Trader Joe’s or a bakery or a specialty or specialty food store or stores. a Delismall grocery like Red & White market in oceanside Ca.
I have to think the failure last year of Super Fresh to be granted a license to sell beer and wine had a lot to do with the decision to break the lease. http://www.gazette.net/stories/04152009/rocknew213200_32478.shtml
The space is probably too small, but a Wegman’s supermarket would certainly be welcome.
I agree with those that would prefer a food supermarket (second choice is a much needed hardware store) and also agree that the Giant on Hungerford is deficient and can easily be competed with. The Town Center, as an example of self-contained Smart Growth which can mitigate motor vehicle traffic, needs a destination store can that can bolster these attributes.
Once again, I write to put in a plug for a Roots Market, a full-service, fair trade, organic grocery. That would leave space for Great Sage, a gourmet, vegetarian restaurant (my favorite), and even a Bark pet supply store. Together, they would approximate Clarksville’s Conscious Corner and further Rockville Town Square’s “destination” ambitions.
I believe that Federal Realty, RD Rockville, and the city have been selling RTS with a grocery store since its inception. While some other type of retail store might work (Houstons? They just left the Pike), I think the game plan still calls for a grocery store.If I can dream, I’d want 1) a Wegman’s; and 2) the complete rescinding of the neanderthal protectionist beer and wine policy Montgomery County embraces.On that last point: California, which allows all grocery stores to sell beer, wine, and liquor, still has over 13,000 liquor stores in the state. The claim that liquor stores would be driven out of business if grocery stores could sell beer and wine is complete nonsense.
My guess is that there is a lot of momentum behind a high end grocery store, and I certainly think that seems like it could work. I do not have access to market research so I don’t know what the viability of that is.Just as a thought experiment, I thought I might spin out some other scenarios, trying to fit my thinking in with 1) the idea of being a destination; and 2) an understanding of the current mix of shops. And I tried to push myself to be crazy.So, what about some of these ideas:A) A Lego StoreB) An Apple StoreC) A skate shop with small rampD) High end jewelry storeE) Farmer’s market (like Eastern Market)F) J.Crew or Banana RepublicG) Irish pub with music (Laura Berthiaume’s idea from an email)H) Restoration HardwareI) American ApparelOkay, I ran out of ideas. I can see good points and bad points about all of these, so don’t think I am pitching them, necessarily . . . just putting them out there.
I would kill to have a Trader Joe’s so close by. Sadly, I think the space is too small for Wegman’s to consider.
I would definately like to see a Trader Joe’s.
My son and I and his friends have often wished there was more to do for kids in Town Square. We think an ARCADE would be great. There is one over near Reston that hosts birthday parties - it’s in a small industrial kind of strip center but man, when you go inside, it’s like the Buzz Light Year ride at Disney - all bright and lots of lights. Loads of games and stuff, Very large screen on several walls for games like Wi, X-box. Except for eating and running around jumping from rock to rock, there isn’t really much for the pre-teen kids to do in Town Square. How about an ARCADE!?!Of course, a nice specialized food market would be great. We really need one. Seems to me a high-end one like Dean & Deluca would thrive here (is that still down in Georgetown?
A Cooperative Farmers Market that operates on a yearly basis is something that might work. Maybe it could be an open air design that’s capable of being climate controlled. Magruders anyone?
When I moved to east rockville many years ago I was attracted to the neighborhood because of location, which to me meant 1) I could walk to metro and MARC rail, 2) I could walk to the former Magruder’s and Giant supermarkets in town center, and 3) I could walk to May’s Hardware in town center - these are the three types of places I most need to go so my thinking was that I would hardly ever need to drive. In the intervening years, we’ve lost the hardware store and the supermarkets and now I’ve got to drive MORE than I used to. We’re going backwards in terms of livability and automobile dependence, especially when I have to leave town by car to get to a hardware store. If we want to attract people to rockville in general and to downtown in particualr, we’ve simply got to offer people at least one mostly car-free living alternative downtown and get a supermarket and a hardware store somewhere in or near town center that people can walk to. This will enable seniors who don’t drive or don’t wish to drive often to stay in downtown or move to downtown, and there’s also a trend a foot among younger people to not own cars, and they are flocking to older cities where they can live car free; if we want seniors and our youth to stay in our city, we’ve got to make it workable for them as pedestrians. Since the supermarket space is not extremely large, we’ve got to try to get one of the companies that will work within the size retail space we have - some options include: MOM’s (My Organic Market) - their current white flint location is cramped and they could use a bigger space; Balducci’s; Yes Organic Markets (they recently opened a nice new smaller shop in the Columbia Heights section of DC); Ukrop’s; Snyder’s Magruder’s — I hope the city and FRIT will explore possibilities with all these merchants???
Organic Market, preferably with a deli/sandwich bar and seating for the lunch crowd.
I talked to the Magruders, and they won’t move back to town center. They moved up the street to the former Shopper’s, and the space is more affordable for them. Federal Reality can charge higher rents, but that keeps many merchants out of town center. A hardware store probably won’t have the revenue to make it in town center, but maybe we can lobby one to locate in closer in, like the industrial area on Stonestreet Ave. Notice the way that Del Ray (north Alexandria) developed, and attracted a nice mix of stores. It started with a coffee shop, and then other shops opened up that were not in direct competition, making the street a shopping destination with a butcher shop, cheese boutique, and art studios. We’re stuck with chain stores because the rents are too high for mom and pops to open here.While I wouldn’t kill for a Trader Joe’s, an organic market like the Bethesda Coop would be nice. Bulk food shops reduce the packaging that supermarkets require, benefitting our pocketbooks and landfills alike. It would be easier to refill jars if we had a coop nearby. Year round farmers market has been talked about, causing locavores to salivate. Perhaps we can lobby FRIT to adjust the rent and open the space for an Eastern Market type of operation that would appeal to a variety of merchants. Its better than letting the space sit vacant. And they promised us a food store would open there in November of 2008. Maybe if they put an off switch on their escalator and dimmed some lights after hours, they could afford to adjust their rental expectations and we won’t have to bike up the Pike as much.
“Trader Joes” would be a great fit! Grocery store definitely!!!
Sniders would be my choice! I’m going there for my Easter lamb and wine this week and will show them this discussion. The hardware store in Ashton has been interested in the area but has received no help from the city.
Ruth, good luck lobbying Sniders. I had no success on that front (they’re happy with their one store), but they would be a great fit, and already have their suppliers lined up, and run an add in the paper. The only difference is the rent, but maybe FRIT can ease off a bit for the sake of increasing foot traffic for the rest of their tenants. The hardware store could turn a tidy profit because there in no competition since Mack’s and Wire closed down. Mack left cuz he didn’t want to use the new ACE supply system. Wire has been gone since 1990, but maybe Peerless could put something together for us. It could serve as a revenue source for them, and serve us. Better than letting it sit idle.
Bring back Hagan’s Four Courts! That was the most promising restaurant in the old Courthouse Square “Mall”.
If we’re talking higher-end in that space, maybe Rodman’s? They might have more success getting the beer/wine license since they already sell them in their other Maryland locations, or at least the one in White Flint.Would still prefer MOM’s tho. Or Trader Joe’s. I shop at both relatively frequently and would be happy to walk to them if they were downtown. Would be pretty much happy with any place I can get decent quality groceries without paying through the nose, and would totally support an indoor Farmer’s Market.And I find it hard to believe that both FTC and Giant don’t seem to be in any hurry to make some money on their empty spaces, the SuperFresh site and the old Giant building which could easily accommodate whatever hardware store (not a full-on home center, but hardware store) wanted the spot.On the topic of the Giant, I also had a couple words with the manager about the arrangement. Actually, I think I like the idea of the health foods by the produce; manager indicated it was expanding to a full aisle, not just half a section, and to me it’s be nice to have the foods I purchase the most all in one section of the store. (With food sensitivities in the family, most of our cooking is from-scratch by necessity.)I remember before the changeover they had all the nuts in packages, no bulk nuts, due to allergy concerns, but that was one of the first things that went away after the changeover; I am not happy with where they seem to be headed. It took them nearly 4 years to get the “Family Parking” spaces put in, so I’m not hopeful about the speed with which customer concerns *might* be implemented. But I could bypass them almost completely with a proper grocery downtown!
Interesting to read through all the comments and certainly about the same things that I have been hearing. FRIT is scheduled to be at the Town Center Action Team meeting on Thursday 4/8 at 7pm in the Mayor and Council Chambers. This meeting is open to the public and we would welcome some new faces and perspectives. This will be a great way to kick off discussion not only of what we want in this space but begin the discussion of Phase II. At our next meeting I am trying to get a representative of JBG to attend to discuss where they are in the planning process and get some timelines. If you are interested in coming to the meeting please just shoot me a quick line at [email protected]. Thanks……Trapper