As people return to urban areas, grocery stores are starting to come back to the central city in urban forms - just not in Fort Worth, thus far. In Minneapolis, Lund’s has announced plans for a 30,000 square foot store in the ground level of a new mixed-use development in downtown:
Lund Food Holdings Inc. said today that it plans to build a supermarket as part of a mixed-use project being developed on Hennepin Avenue between 10th and 11th streets.
Construction of the store will begin next fall; no completion date has been set yet, according to Aaron Sorenson, spokesman for the Edina-based supermarket chain. The 30,000-square-foot store will be on the ground level of the project being developed by Alatus Management.
Closer to home, in Unnamed City To The East, once-struggling Urban Market is now doing well, and planning expansion:
Not only will the main Urban Market remain operational, but Mr. Acklen says he intends next month to open a small satellite store inside the South Side on Lamar apartment complex immediately south of downtown in Dallas’ Cedars neighborhood.
At least two other mini-Urban Markets could spring up in and around downtown, helping spread the store’s brand name and inventory, he said.
Urban grocers are one of the things still lacking in urban Fort Worth, whether it be downtown or one of the surrounding districts like the Near Southside. With more and more people moving back into the central city, how much longer until the grocers return?
Incidentally, I’ve heard city officials - including Fernando Costa and Joel Burns - talk about the city wanting to attract a grocer to downtown. I’ve also heard various rumors of something in the Near Southside which I can’t elaborate on at the moment. Getting grocers back in the central city - in a walkable urban form, not as boxes behind parking lots as in Montgomery Plaza - is key to really engaging the neighborhood feel of our urban districts.
I can’t wait to hear more about the rumors regarding a store in the Near Southside. Can you tell us anything? Possible location? Or size? Mom and pop or corporate?
Good news if it happens.
Ross,
I’m sworn to secrecy. All I’ll say is that it is not a corporate chain type of thing.
I so want a grocery store in the southside! Downtown would be fine, too, since I could swing by on my way home from work. But one in the near southside would totally rock my socks off! The super target in Montgomery Plaza is okay, but I still gotta drive there. I want to be able to walk to the grocery store!
Well that’s a good sign. I heard Paul Paine speak on this topic not too long ago and he said he has been working on a grocery store but that all the corporate chains wanted parking lots in front with 150 parking spaces. Boo. I think it will be critical for any store in the Near Southside to carefully balance the mix of staple/gourmet foods.
Kevin is such an urban tease!
Chewy,
Believe me, I’d love to tell you all about it, but it’s in such an early stage that the players don’t want word to get out just yet.
Honestly, I know of several developments around urban Fort Worth that I’m excited about and have been asked to keep quiet about for the time being. It can be a bit agonizing, but I understand the desire for subtlety until plans are more finalized.
Although I’m sure it isn’t the store that Kevin is referring to, Whole Foods Mkt has purchased a 57,500 ft space somewhere in Ft Worth, but has not released the location yet.
Keep your fingers crossed!!
It’s going to be a suburban Whole Foods, in the Edwards Ranch development.
still to early to spread any news of who or where this may be?
A little early, yes. I promised I wouldn’t speak of details. It’s a fairly cool idea, but I do not know how close to fruition it is.