With all the new residents embracing urban living in downtown Seattle, most will be very pleased to hear about a new supermarket slotted for 3rd and Union. Not only will the store be within walking distance for many condo residents (especially the lucky dogs at 1521 and Four Seasons), it will also offer delivery service for the entire Seattle core condo zone.
Read the full article in the PI here. Some interesting tidbits:
- Lease is signed
- It’ll be a Kress IGA Supermarket
- 18,000 Square feet
- No parking (walk in and delivery)
- 40% of the space will be for pre-prepared foods, hot food tables, salad bars, etc.
great news. the lack of parking however is quite sucky. they need to figure something out.
Knowing IGA stores elsewhere I am really not sure this store will provide the product quality and experience that most of the affluent downtown condo owners will want. How is it going to position itself? Will it be more high end than most IGA stores?
Um, a great deal of downtown residents are NOT affluent. Have we forgotten about them? There are still low-income and affordable residential buildings downtown. Poorer people need a place to shop to. Having only upscale or gourmet grocers downtown is extremely inconvenient if all you want to do is buy some of the cheaper, non-organic sort of produce. Why should suburbanites or residents of outlying neighbourhoods have these cheaper options, but not middle-income downtown residents? That’s why I hope the IGA is not TOO upscale.
Even poor people have cars. What up with the lack of parking.
Hey lets call it what it is, its gentrification. This is how crappy areas of town are changed into trendy pricey areas. Think about it, a upscale grocery next door to a convience store that sells bum wine and soft porn mags. One store has people coming in to buy cheese for $20 for a little square and next door there would be the guy buying MD 20/20 for $2.
I know this sounds crappy but its the evolution of the neighborhood, the one star folks need to move.
As my dad used to say, if you do not like it, let me punch your TS card!
Don’t judge all IGA stores by the few that do not follow the 5 star IGA rules. I have found that IGA stores are family owned, not owned by coporations. The IGA store I shop in is clean, has quality products, affordable products and great customer service. My IGA treats everyone like they are important, no matter who you are. When I asked for some products they didn’t carry, they ordered them and then let me know when they would be available. How great would it be to walk to the store, shop and then have your groceries delivered to your condo. I don’t see not having a parking lot being a problem. Most of us living downtown don’t want to drive 3 blocks just to return home and there is nowhere to park.
No more hauling bags to the car and then have to carry them up to my place, I love the delivery idea.
Just remember you can’t judge ALL IGA stores because of that one nasty one. Its too bad there isn’t a way to close the IGA stores that don’t take the time to follow the IGA rules.
The majority of IGA stores are very nice and well run.