BREAKING NEWS! retail therapy, the saga continues! BREAKING NEWS!
Hold on to your hats, home viewers, the brand new QFC on Broadway is now open. We knew it was on its way when we started to see non-perishables filling the store late last week, but the moment of truth has finally arrived — at least a day earlier than predicted by our sources.
Rumors suggest that an in-store Starbucks is part of the package; so you won’t need to cross the street to the oh so inconvenient Starbucks on the corner of Broadway and Republican (unless you have a favorite barista already). The official opening was expected to take place on Sunday morning to be accompanied by coffee and cake at 8 am. Whether today’s opening represents a quiet opening or a change in schedule remains unknown.
Developing.
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I walked up to the Capitol Hill library branch to pick up a book yesterday and noticed that people were going in and out of the old Fred Meyer back entrance. The boyfriend and I did a quick cruise through the store, mostly checking to see if the various odds and ends that we used to buy at the Fred (soy ice cream, light bulbs) are available in the new incarnation. They are, and much, much more.
I’m ambivalent about the new store. It’s very posh and contains an amazing variety of stuff — everything from the old QFC and Fred combined, plus more and better. I am hopeful that this will be a good thing for Broadway and that this “anchor” store will help to play a part in the revitalization of the neighborhood. On the other hand, I miss the quirkier mish-mash of stores in the old Broadway Market. The QFC is lovely and well-stocked, but it feels very corporate. And, yes (le grand sigh!), there is a Starbucks inside, as well as a sushi-bar.
As I watch one funky old Capitol Hill building after another being torn down to make way for high-rise condos and corporate retailers, I just keep repeating to myself, “Infill is good. Viable businesses are good.” — hoping against hope that higher population densities and stable retailers will provide support for the funky, quirky people and businesses that make living on Capitol Hill so much fun.
I agree. It is a nice store. Mostly, I’m relieved that they kept the general store parts from Fred Meyer’s downstairs. Without that stuff, there would’ve been a big void on Capitol Hill. I mean, it’s not exactly Target, but it’s better than nothing.
I hope you’re right about the last paragraph too. As long as there’s some balance, I think that some viable, stable businesses will be good for the neighborhood. Mystikal Garden wasn’t exactly a draw (and it was replacing a Gap store); so I can see this as o.k. progress.