The Tower and the Grocery Store
Submitted by theValleyisforLovers on Sun, 11/05/2006 - 18:34.
I will start this one off with a disclaimer:
I don't live in the Tower District. I honestly don't know the area as much as I would like, so feel free to educate me. But, I love to dream and imagine fun projects. So when I saw this article yesterday, I thought I might as well bring it up, because I have heard a few comments here and there on the subject.
The article is about the opening of a Whole Foods in downtown Seattle. (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003340493_grocery03.htm...). And I know I have heard people talk about the lack of a large grocery store in the Tower. This article talks about how difficult it is to open large grocery stores unless the area is has a dense population because they operate on such narrow margins. Could a large scale grocery store (not Whole Foods, b/c of the one in Fig Garden) work in the heart of the Tower? Is it dense enough? Would there be too much conflict over whether or not to bring a chain store even for groceries? Would a developer want to invest?
This is one idea I had, when eating at Million Elephant with some friends a few months ago.
The Dollartree parcel, in my opinion, has SO much potential. Amazing location, and an alley (kind of)! So what about putting some sort of mixed use development w/ a grocery store and maybe some other neighborhood essentials? And the building would front Olive and Fern and Maroa and the alley, with the parking underground (totally do-able, San Diego Ralphs did it). Maybe fronting every single side would work, because of loading zones...but, its just an idea. I really think that it could bring in a lot of foot traffic to that area, and by bringing the activity closer to the street (especially on Olive, and Fern) it could really liven things up in those parts.
What do you all think? (especially Tower residents) Is there a better location? Would people want to shop at the grocery store, or is there one close enough already? Have there been any tries at it already?
Sounds about right
Last year I had to travel in circles for almost an hour to buy a Christmas tree. I'd definately go for a market closer to home. Well, only if the prices are fair.
Tower Market
Man, I would LOVE a market closer to home! Currently we go all the way to FoodsCo on Shaw for the decent prices but on occasion we shop at Albertson's on Blackstone/Clinton. I would appreciate saving time while grocery shopping and I really don't like the Savemart on Mckinley/Fruit. They're always short of product and help, although they are a very friendly staff. The backwards doors have gotten me everytime I've been there!!
I would pay a little extra here and there to shop IN the neighborhood considering I'd be saving time and gas because then I'd just walk to the market. That would be great!
Save Mart In The Tower Is G-H-E-T-T-O!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Once I went in to that Save Mart and bought the last apple. Another time I went in for lunch meat and bread, only to find that there were about nine people waiting in line. While the girl did a price check. And they kept calling someone over the intercom who never came. I felt bad for the girl because she was going as fast as they can and I'm sure the line was stressing her out. Still I can not justify going to that Save mart if I can avoid it at all. And has anyone ever noticed that the enter and exit doors are reversed? This should be your first indicator that you're about to step into the ghetto zone.
Save Mart on McKinley and Fruit! tower markets
People seem to forget Savemart on McKinley and Fruit. Its just a 5 min bike ride away from the Tower. They have the same sales there and meat and whatever else you might want.
Grandma's Is Growing...Literally!
Although Grandma's market section is small right now...I have heard that Grandma's All Natural is going to expand their market selections and they are looking for community input on what they should carry. They already carry T&D Willey organic produce (the same stuff you find at Whole Foods) and organic coffee, teas, honey, etc.
Soon you will be able to get organic milks, breads, eggs, etc....those staple items that are everyday, think of it as micro Whole Foods right down the street.
The quality is top notch and the prices are reasonable (less than the whole)... if you live in the Tower you owe it to yourself and your neighborhood to check them out.
They are also having live music on their deck...its a good time!
-groundDown
RE: groceries in the Tower
I lived in the Tower for nine years, but chose to leave several years ago. I remember very well the Tower Supermarket, and their prices, which were always very high. I'm not surprised the Tower lost that spot. I would go downtown to the Farmer's Market at least twice a week for most of my stuff, otherwise I'd go to Albertson's on Blackstone and Clinton.
The downtown Farmer's Market was usually the best thing for my family, but we don't eat animals, so for twenty bux you really could buy 'nuff grub for a week.
I heard a lot of hype about Grandma's, and have been in twice, but other than really friendly staff and organic garden fertilizers, they really didn't have anything in those two 'fridges.
Not having a decent market was one of the reasons (out of many) we left the Tower. Now I'm in Clovis near Costco & WinCo, and have a FAT garden popping up!
And yet, I still go downtown to the Farmer's Market whenever I can...
-s
Have you visited Grandma's All Natural Vegetable Market and Herb Nursery on Olive and Vagedes? They are mostly a herb nursery but they also have a couple of refrigerated cases for organic produce. Their produce is top notch and they also sell organic coffee. They have plans of expanding into more of a market to serve the Tower community. Check them out and let them know about your interest in a high quality market in the Tower.
keep the ideas churning
dollar tree is the former home of...the tower supermarket.
it closed in like, 94 or so. shoot, it's been so long i've forgotten exactly when they closed. i had an acquaintance that was a bag boy/checker there @ the time. business wasn't good enough, and i'm pretty sure as many people lived in tower then (it's not like we're the hub of new housing). after closing, the building remained empty for a long time. tons of rumors circulated about what might open there. eventually, dollar tree moved in.
me, i never thought dollar tree was a good fit for the neighborhood. then, one day i was standing in line @ the post office on fern. two ladies were speaking about the impending opening of the dollar tree. they were both tower residents. they were both excited.
yeah, as a tower resident i'd love it if there was a quality supermarket in walking distance. especially one that really supported our lovely, local farmers. does the tower have enough people to support a supermarket? yes. would they? hard to say. the savemart on fruit & mckinley (edge of tower?) has been around forever, but i've not been impressed with their selection of veggies, meats, or bread (my opinion only). but, they stay open so enough people must go there. i'm not sure how well the new farmer's market is doing. i've bought produce there once, but farmer's markets can be hit or miss on quality, changing day to day.
myself, i shop @ foodmaxx (blackstone & barstow). california produce, good selection on the other stuff, & i like the prices. i keep meaning to get to the foodmaxx on the edge of downtown (fresno & c). albertsons(clinton & blackstone) and vons (blackstone & griffin?) are closer but cost is the issue. the local grocery store on tulare & first was decent, but couldn't sway me from the maxx.
i like your thinking on the underground parking though for a grocery store. we could use more parking, especially a public lot or one that a business doesn't mind sharing with the many businesses around.
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