The Broadway Whole Foods grocery store will permanently close its doors on June 20th, as announced by company officials citing ‘performance and growth potential’ as key factors behind this decision.
Spokespersons from Whole Foods emphasized the company’s ongoing evaluation of store performance to position itself for long-term success.
They affirmed that all employees will be transferred to roles in other local Whole Foods Market locations as the company shifts gears in response to current retail dynamics.
Clearance sales have already begun in anticipation of the store’s closure.
This decision comes as a significant loss for residents in the First Hill neighborhood, who will now have to travel further for grocery shopping.
The closest major grocery option will be the Harvard Market QFC, located just a few blocks away at Broadway and Pike.
Since its opening in October 2018, the Broadway Whole Foods was seen as a key part of the Capitol Hill grocery scene.
The store was located at the base of The Danforth, a luxurious 17-story apartment complex launched that same summer, chosen for its proximity to the First Hill Streetcar line and nearby Seattle University, factors believed to enhance its accessibility.
However, over eight years, the expected growth and community integration failed to materialize, forcing the company to make this difficult decision.
This closure is part of a broader trend affecting the grocery economy in Capitol Hill and Central Seattle.
Even with the ongoing presence of two QFCs and two Safeways, the landscape is shifting, with additional closures on the horizon.
For instance, a third QFC is set to be demolished for a mixed-use development, which will not replace it with another major grocery store.
Moreover, the 15th at John Safeway is also scheduled for demolition to accommodate new developments, including a grocery store, the addition of approximately 330 market-rate apartments, and new retail spaces.
Changes in customer relations from grocery chains have further marked this evolution in the industry, with measures like closed-off exits and mandatory receipt checks introduced to combat theft and crime.
Despite these challenges, smaller grocery players like H-Mart’s M2M have introduced more urban convenience options, which opened in 2022, while Trader Joe’s continues to enjoy strong patronage.
The long-standing Central Co-op has also maintained its presence in the area, despite the competitive landscape.
As grocery delivery services surge, the bar for in-store performance has increased, prompting Whole Foods to redirect customers to its nearby locations as well as to Amazon’s extensive online grocery selection.
The store’s closure announcement was met with immediate reactions, with news rapidly spreading on social media platforms.
Many employees and customers alike raised questions and expressed their condolences for the loss of the market, some noting dissatisfaction with the store’s layout and its integration under Amazon’s ownership.
In terms of commercial property implications, the Danforth’s closure leaves a gap in the area’s grocery offerings.
This will now mark the second significant closure tied to Amazon’s grocery ventures in the neighborhood, following the abrupt shutdown of an Amazon Fresh store at E Pike last April, which also remains vacant over a year later.
Moreover, ongoing turmoil in the drugstore sector is adding more voids to the local retail economy, as major chains grapple with their own challenges consequent to bankruptcy proceedings related to opioid lawsuits.
Despite these hurdles, the densely populated Capitol Hill community remains optimistic about the potential for new business opportunities and renewal.
Recently, the formerly boarded-up E Olive Way building, left abandoned by Starbucks due to safety concerns, has begun to come back to life as it prepares to welcome a new All the Best pet care and supply shop, hinting at future revitalization efforts in the area.
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