Mary T. Wade, a member of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association in Northeast, beamed as she waited in line in freezing temperatures for the new Aldi, located at the new, mixed-use Art Place at Fort Totten development, to open on Dec. 5.
Wade waited in line for 45 minutes along with dozens of other people to get a $10 gift card and the chance to shop at the Aldi. The Fort Totten Aldi is the company’s second store in the District— with the first located at the Skyland Town Center in Ward 7 in Southeast— and is the chain’s largest store in the city with 24,000 square feet.
“This is my neighborhood, Riggs Park,” Wade, 72, said. “This grand opening is very important to me because it gives me somewhere to shop and not leave the neighborhood. There are other stores here by Aldi is affordable and I like to shop at bargain stores.”
The store is a product of The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, which is led by president and CEO Jane Cafritz, and it serves as the developer of Art Place at Fort Totten. Elected officials such as D.C. Council member Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5), Kenyan McDuffie (I-At Large) and community leaders such as Barbara Rogers, president of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association cut the ribbon on the new store along with Cafritz and Aldi managers.“A walkable, affordable grocer has been a cornerstone of our vision for this community, making residents’ lives easier by enhancing access to essential resources,” said Cafritz. “Aldi’s opening at Art Place at Fort Totten reflects The Cafritz Foundation’s dedication to building an inclusive and vibrant community by thoughtfully combining culture, housing and retail to serve the neighborhood.” Upon full build-out, Art Place at Fort Totten will encompass nearly two million square feet of multifamily, retail, cultural, art, educational and museum space.Parker expressed excitement and relief that the new store is in his ward.“This Aldi will have a tremendous impact,” said Parker. “A study found that one-third of Washingtonians are food insecure and have a hard time having access to nutritious food. It is good to have an Aldi close to our community.”
Source: Washington Informer
