In the last month, Giant, Super Fresh and Bottom Dollar have opened stores in Philadelphia. The Giant and Super Fresh stores are especially noteworthy.
The new Giant location, which opened in Northeast Philadelphia in late July and measures 74,000 square feet, is the company’s first foray into the city. Developer Peter Abrams told the Philadelphia Inquirer last month that a move to Philadelphia was “the next logical jump for them,” referring to Giant’s significant growth in the suburbs. In fact, the location represents Giant’s eight new store in Southeastern PA since 2008.
The 51,000 square foot Super Fresh in Northern Liberties is noteworthy for two reasons. First and foremost, it opened today in a section of Philadelphia that did not have a supermarket. Secondly, a Super Fresh opening anywhere is a big event. This is a brand that is shrinking, not growing, and its parent company (A&P) is in bankruptcy.
Originally this site, developed by Bart Blatstein, was planned as a Pathmark, but with A&P’s troubles, the plan was in serious jeopardy. Thankfully for the NoLibs residents, A&P not only decided to proceed with one of their brands, but (according to today’s Inquirer story) it offers fresh seafood from the Philadelphia Fish Market, regionally raised poultry and beef, locally grown produce, an in-store bakery, and a pharmacy with patient counseling, immunizations and free home delivery. With the addition of this location, there are currently five Super Fresh and 11 Pathmark supermarkets in Philadelphia.
Bottom Dollar’s new location in Northeast Philadelphia is the company’s second city store, and a third is planned for early next year. Bottom Dollar also added a Lansdowne site last week, bring the number of locations in Pennsylvania to 19, according to its website.