Giant-MD closing Ashburn location

[marketreportblog]

Giant-MD is closing one of three locations in Ashburn, VA by the end of this month. The store looks like a mid-00s build and still has the original decor package of "Taste & Time." Looks a little bit like some of the more dated Stop & Shops. There's quite a few other supermarkets nearby, including a Harris Teeter seemingly in much better shape about 2/3 of a mile west and a Wegmans three miles east.

Last year, Giant-MD closed a store in Edmondson Village in Baltimore, and international chain LA Mart quickly announced they'd be taking the spot (no paywall) along with an ALDI coming into another space in the mall (no paywall). No word yet on who might replace the Ashburn location, if anyone.

[BatteryMill]

I've had some suspicions about this store since it held out years without a remodel (whereas the vast majority of "Super Giants" from that era have been renovated) and was in a more secluded spot. I'm surprised the continued development of Ashburn, as well as the introduction of the Metro did nothing to save this store either.

Regarding the decor/format: while it does have that aura of Ahold's brand homogenization, I really enjoyed how it played with lighting and scale. To me, it brought a polished and cozy feeling that brought together a focus on service departments and specialty aisles.

[mjhale]

I've had some suspicions about this store since it held out years without a remodel (whereas the vast majority of "Super Giants" from that era have been renovated) and was in a more secluded spot. I'm surprised the continued development of Ashburn, as well as the introduction of the Metro did nothing to save this store either.

Regarding the decor/format: while it does have that aura of Ahold's brand homogenization, I really enjoyed how it played with lighting and scale. To me, it brought a polished and cozy feeling that brought together a focus on service departments and specialty aisles.

I suspect the ridership numbers for the Loudoun Gateway and Ashburn stations are lower than what was envisioned when the Silver Line was being planned. The development in eastern Loudoun County seems to have stayed focused on Routes 7 and 28 as well as the areas along Belmont Ridge Road going down towards the western edge of South Riding as opposed to moving towards transit (Metro) focused. Although the area around this Giant store was developed long before the Silver Line was built, I would think that continued viability and further growth was pegged on the Ashburn station becoming a development center like the Weihle station has become and the new development around the Reston Town Center station. I also wonder if there is changing demographic in this area. There was a Red Robin location in the complex with the Giant. It closed late last year and has been replaced by an Indian restaurant. The Indian community in Loudoun seems to be growing quickly. I wonder if the Giant will be replaced with some sort of ethnic grocer.

I agree with you about the interior of the closing Giant. It is one of the nicest, high-end feeling interiors that Ahold has developed when fully implemented. The Union Mill Giant in Clifton, VA went from its original red neon to this Super Giant interior. The newly renovated store was such a change for the better and this is coming from someone who loves the Giant-MD neon interiors. I really like the grand aisle with the focus on having produce, bakery, deli and prepared foods all in one area. The new build Giant stores still have this type of grand aisle setup.