Contrary to most of the over the top praise I heard about Harris Teeter 's new store in Adams Morgan, I was just, well, indifferent about the place after visiting last night. The just-opened store at the corner of 17th Street and Kalorama Rd NW had been in the works for nearly four years. Anticipation and angst over this particular store had built-up and subsided many times over the last few years. Issues over parking, traffic, beer and wine sales, unions and urban planning helped drag the process out for a few years and the delays increased the level of fervor for the opening. Turns out that its just a small, urban grocery. The opening day reminded me a lot of the Super Giant opening at Tivoli Square. There were tons of employees with their happy, helpful hats on, managers at every corner, fully stocked shelves, free samples and cashiers at every register. I hope it lasts.Don't get me wrong; I think a quality grocery is a great addition to any neighborhood, especially with the explosion of new residential development in that part of Adams Morgan over the last 5 or 6 years. But this Harris Teeter, while new, gleaming and a seeming respite for now, won't end up any more exceptional than any other chain grocery. I think it does add another option for those of us disappointed with Columbia Rd Safeway and the Tivoli Giant.
Harris Teeter does have a store brand that's significantly cheaper than name brand. My bill tonight for 1/3 pound of coffee, half a gallon of OJ and a small package of organic sugar was $7.98. All 3 of my items were HT brand. I used the self checkout lane, which I was happy to see. Other people seemed to have trouble, but since I'd practiced, no big deal!
There were two protesters outside the front doors, explaining some of the negative and controversial aspects of the development. I wrote about some of the controversy earlier this year. Note the photo below of the beer aisle. HT fought and won a tough legal battle to be able to sell alcohol. This is the crux of most of the protests.
I don't mean to be a naysayer, so I'll end with some other aspects I liked: bike rack (only one, ugh, but it was inside!), includes a pharmacy, all the vegetarian frozen foods were grouped together (nice for vegetarians), heavily discounted store brand, opportunity for more development on the southwestern corner of the lot (but what should go there?), extremely walkable/bikeable for thousands of residents.
14 comments:
I agree. I'd never been to one, but heard the hype leading up to this place. I was lead to believe this would be the greatest grocery store ever. Alas, its very much a grocer - well put. The in garage bike parking is cool though, so are the free samples in the cheese section. The wine selection looks good, but the beer is nothing that special (but, better than Giant to be sure) - my favorite is Samber Market on MtP St - best beer selection around strangely enough (save for the D'vines I'd imagine).
since the HT building was a roller rink before, I'm hoping that I won't be shooed out of the store if I wear my rollerblades while shopping. :)
Anon, For some reason Samber Market has won me over too. Better than Sportsmans, for beer and wine. I think the owners are really nice. Also, they've carried better quality alochol products over time.
pqres, Touché on the roller rink reference. That piece of historical trivia may be forever lost. They're bending so far over backwards for customers this first few days, you could probably kart wheel around the whole store while shopping and not get hassled by "mgmt."
For the legiions of us from North Carolina, this is the best thing to ever happen to the city. I love my Harris Teeter!
One thing I really wish we had in this area is a half decent bakery! I wonder if Harris Teeter has one (that is any good). Tryst sells some really good stuff (but the bakery is not on site), but it is expensive.
HT did have a fresh breads section, but i can't vouch for the quality. i got the impression that non of it was baked on site; pure speculation though.
as for bakeries, i'm not an expert, but people i know like the bread line, heller's bakery, and sticky fingers (mostly sweets). we are lacking though, for such a cosmopolitan city...
We had a Safeway open up near us a few years ago. Tons of helpful employees and managers falling over themselves to help everyone find stuff. My wife and I ate "dinner" with all the free samples they were giving out.
Fast-forward to today. Still a nice store with fully stocked shelves... nowhere near the help and slow checkstands.
i have to disagree, strongly. whether the h-t itself is the greatest grocery store or not, what matters is what their presence is going to do to the grocery store landscape in the city.
whole foods exists in a plane completely separate from everything else around here, so they haven't affected the quality of service and items available at our old standbys, giant and safeway.
h-t, on the other hand, could have that effect. i'm sure the safeway on columbia road is going to have to shape up, or they're going to lose massive amounts of business. once h-t has three (or maybe more) locations in the city, it'll force the old guard to react.
the competition is going to be the most important thing for the city. i, for one, am supporting the insurgents here, in hopes that it leads to better experiences at all grocery stores for all of us.
I've been to HT in Arlington..A bit more "upscale" than Giant and MUCH better than Safeway.
Your pictures are a photo-essay in themselves. Nicely done.
Obligatorysmartassquestion wrt the recent news: Did you buy lots and lots of rice for your private stock pile as the talking heads suggest? If there's one thing that's sure to create a scarcity mentality it's the spreading of the idea that there's a scarcity mentality! Don't worry about stockpiling. I'll share my rice with you.
I made my first visit last night and was very impressed. The prepared foods were fresh and CHEAP! I got a huge prepared chef's salad for only $4. The aisles were super clean and very well stocked. I love the self-check out lanes and the place was not even close to being crowded.
I never got to ask what are the store hours however. Does anyone know? I'm just glad they stayed open past 9pm!
Open til 11 7 nights a week.
I went to Harris Teeter tonight at the suggestion of my neighbor. This place is great! Lots of variety, well-stocked, nice produce, and very clean. I quit going to Safeway years ago and started going to a little store next door and still will, but I will also go to Harris Teeter from now on.
Hi, I find your blog very interesting. I love Harris Teeter . Harris Teeter is a chain of food markets. The company provides online shopping as well; it is possible through Harris Teeter Express Lane. People can easily order online and their shopping is done for them, it is needed just to go and pick it up. Besides, there are many discounts provided online for those customers who are the members of e-VIC. On this great site www.pissedconsumer.com you may look up the customers’ reports about the markets.
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