Safeway Exterior Renovation

Before, During After. Can't really speak on the interior renovations, still haven't been in.

Safeway Renovation Coming Along

Walk down Columbia Road from Mount Pleasant to Adams Morgan and you'll notice all the work going on at Safeway. Much of the interior has been repainted, or totally resurfaced, with earth color tones and new fixtures and shelving. The store at 1747 Columbia Road NW remains open during construction from 5AM-midnight each day. It was due for a makeover, or some would say total replacement. I shopped there when I first moved to Mount Pleasant. At the time it was the only large multi-department grocery within walking distance, save for the old Giant on 14th Street. Fast forward to 2009 and Safeway competes with Harris Teeter and the newer Giant on Park Road. And Safeway has now introduced new style stores with expanded offerings and self checkout, such as the City Vista Safeway at 5th an L Sts NW. We'll see if it's enough to lure me back in.

New Street Front for Safeway

Adams Morgan's Safeway store is getting a face lift. The tired looking store is in the midst of construction to rebuild the façade and complete some small cosmetic changes inside the store. This is by no means an entire renovation of the store. Lately this Safeway has looked extremely dated due to the openings of new Harris Teeter and Giant groceries. In addition, the new-design model Safeway at 5th and L Sts NW has proven that the potential for a decent shopping experience is possible at the chain.

Apparently, Safeway wanted to expand into the adjacent empty retail spaces, but the asking price was too high. Work has started at those sites as well, rumored to be a future CVS. I look forward to looking upon the new storefront, but not sure that will get me any closer to going in.