Safeway Closing in Paper

So do we really have demand for 3 large chain drugstores within 1 mile of each other?

I don't believe the gas station had much to do with Safeway moving out of Vienna. Safeway could have easily bought one of two gas stations across the street up for sale/redevelopment. I think that the site was just too small to expand on one level and keep the amount of parking needed and the Town wouldn't let them build up instead of out because the building would exceed the 35' height limitation now in place for all of Vienna. They should understand their height limit is too low when a retailer can't even build a two story building. I'm wondering if we will see any new buildings for awhile in Vienna with the zoning unchanged and the economy the way it is. The town is lucky to get Walgreens to move into the store. I'm happy some business is moving in, but will miss Safeway. Nothing against Walgreens, but instead of a pharmacy and a grocery (which I used the grocery twice a week and use a pharmacy about twice a year), we are now just getting a pharmacy in it's place.

Oh good. We'll have the architectural review board protecting us from a facade that they arbitrarily deem unacceptable. This is likely to prolong the time that the building remains a vacant hole in the already shredded fabric of downtown vienna.

Whole Foods was the most recent entry, opening in the fall of 1996 in the renovated former Lowe’s hardware store building.

1996 WOW! No wonder Vienna looks like Vienna. Nothing hip for us!

The town generates all its revenue from its residential sector, so why should they care if we add another big, ugly empty store to the carnage lining Maple Avenue. Driving 123 is like being in a morgue.

Pardon me, while I drink another glass of wine and watch reruns of Six Feet Under since that is where our commercial sector currently resides.

Isn't it about this time that one of Maud's flunkies appears on here to pose as an interested citizen to tell everyone how Vienna has no control over anything and that Vienna is all about property rights?

Great! Now can Walgreens let us park in their lot when we go to Chipotle or those other wonderful stores, or do I still have to circle the block eight times during rush hour to find a spot?

What is happening with the empty Shell station? That has been vacant about a year.

The should move a Hooters into the Safeway space or the That's Amore' space.

Note: I'd rather have a Hooters than a Walgreens.

From The Times:

Amid rumors, Vienna Safeway closes after 35 years

Fairfax County
By Gregg MacDonald
Source: Fairfax County Times
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25 2008

Vienna's Safeway supermarket is closing after 35 years.

The store opened in 1973 and has served generations of town residents, many of whom are sad to see it go.

"Most of the employees have been there long enough to see my kids grow from little babies," said Friderike Butler in a letter to Vienna Mayor Jane Seeman. "Compared to most grocery stores in the immediate vicinity of Vienna, this Safeway store has a somewhat cozier size. I can find things quickly, all everyday household items are there, and shopping is a breeze."

Greg Ten Eyck, public affairs director for Safeway’s eastern division, said the store's age and smaller size were key factors in the company's decision to close the Maple Avenue location.

"It was a business decision," he said. "We decided to sell our lease to Walgreens. We felt our best option was to sell outright."

"I was told that Safeway in Vienna would be closing on December 6, the pharmacy on November 20 and that they would be out of the building by the end of the year," Mayor Seeman said. "I am a dedicated Safeway shopper and will miss this store as much as anyone else."

Seeman said that rumors of the town denying Safeway permission to expand the current location are untrue.

"I asked if there was anything the town could do to keep Safeway here," she said. "Safeway wants to go to one-stop shopping and the Vienna location was too small. They are putting gas pumps at their new stores now. This is a corporate decision and has nothing to do with the town."

Seeman also denied other rumors, including one that claims a Hooters restaurant would be taking the place of the longstanding supermarket.

"I probably have had more e-mails and phone calls about this than any other news in a long time. You name it, I've probably heard it." she said.

The opening date of the new Walgreens remains uncertain.

"My crystal ball is still a little fuzzy on when Walgreens will open," said M. Hembree, Vienna's zoning administrator. "I do know that they are currently preparing an [Architectural Review Board] application that might be submitted to the board for review in January."

Strangely Safeway went out of business at six o'clock on Saturday yet the parking lot was almost full of parked cars at eight. Could this be an indication of what drove Safeway out of Vienna?

Safeway's store was too small for their current business model. I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did.