Both HarlemCondoLife (HCL) and Manhattan Kids (MK) have blogged that SOHA 118 will be getting a new upscale gourmet grocery. HCL blogs:
I spoke with Winick Realty Group today and they have confirmed that they are bringing a high end grocery store to the SoHa Building at 118th and Frederick Douglass.
MK speculates that the store will either be a Trader Joe’s or that the Harlem Citerella all the way over on the westside might relocate into the space. HCL notes that Winick Realty will not divulge the name of the tenant which makes me wonder if the deal has actually been sealed yet.
The floor plans of the space are posted above (click to enlarge). If a retailer were to combine the ground floor space with the mezzanine space, they might have a pretty good size store. There is also a very large cellar space available.
As you know, we’ve been whining and moaning over here for at least two years about wanting an uptown TJ’s. I mean, why not? You see people on the subway lugging their paper bags uptown so there is definitely a market already established. I also recently found out that a group called Harlem Now circulated a petition for a Trader Joe’s sometime last year.
If you had your druthers what store would you like to see occupy the vacant space at 118 SOHA?
narmer
January 14, 2009
Is there not a Citerella on 125th near Amsterdam Ave.?
Justin
January 13, 2009
I am all for Trader Joe’s. The new one in downtown brooklyn is great. Whole Paycheck is not a good fit… plus with them opening one on 100th and Columbus soon, I doubt they’d have another one so close, granted it’s a totally different catchment of people.
TJs may not be high end, but its good quality… and as we’ve discussed on UF before, access to quality produce, meat, etc. is very important for all of Harlem’s residents.
D. Bell
January 13, 2009
I thought about the Whole Foods on Columbus but threw it in the mix anyhow. They tend to be pretty big stores too so not likely they will make it up this way.
SDG
January 13, 2009
I’m a big fan of Trader Joe’s. I’m lmao at Whole Foods=”Whole Check.” That’s messed up.
http://asimpleslifestyle.wordpress.com/
anon
January 13, 2009
does Trader Joe’s really count as “high end”. isnt it’s whole appeal its affordability? i would be thrilled if this was true but if i’ve learned anything about harlem real estate rumors it is to take everything with a heavy dose of skepticism.
D. Bell
January 13, 2009
TJ’s typically go where there is a demand for their products. Right now it would make sense for them to come to a community like lower Harlem. In that sense it would make them of a higher caliber than an Associated or Met which is what is currently in Harlem.
ladybean73
January 13, 2009
I’ve been reading this blog for a few months now; this is my first comment. I’ve shopped in Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, and I’d rather see TJs. I believe TJ’s has comparable quality goods, for less money then WF. And, I’d be able to walk there and back. Always an added plus.
D. Bell
January 13, 2009
Thanks for commenting LadyBean. I agree that TJ’s has much better prices (though they have gone up considerably over the past year) than Whole Foods which is nicknamed Whole Check. Whole Foods will get me about a bag of groceries compared to TJ’s where I wind up with about 4 bags.