The Corner Store Returns

Market forces are reshaping the usual suburban format for many large-scale grocers.

1 minute read

December 1, 2009, 2:00 PM PST

By Tim Halbur


"In the mid-1990s - just as the fortunes of cities began to shift - Whole Foods pioneered more urban formats, says Jim Voelzke, an principal with MV+A Architects of Bethesda. Whole Foods found an eager market - and Harris Teeter, Safeway, and Giant later followed with urban-format stores in the DC area, he says.

The region is not unusual, the architects say. Wherever the right conditions exist - good-quality urbanism and underserved markets - supermarket operators are now willing the break the old rules."

Thanks to Renee Brutvan

Tuesday, December 1, 2009 in New Urban News email

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