I need Market District. Out of all the choices I have for Groceries, Market District is the only place where I can complete me entire shopping trip in one stop. The others do not offer the depth or breadth that Market District does, they never will, it is not their intent to. I have been in Whole Foods, they are expensive and trendy. I need a grocery store that can both accommodate my normal daily food needs and the special treat or dinner. Market District is an excellent grocery store, they have served us well for years.

Quoting: "... Market District is the only place where I can complete me entire shopping trip in one stop. ...."

There are many other shoppers who feel the same way. This was the most common statement made after Radoccios closed. Yes, the initial hoopla was raves, but after awhile, people realized exactly what USC Mom stated. In the end, people didn't want to make multiple stops to get their shopping task completed. The interest in better produce, unique deli and other unique items was not enough above the hassle of multiple stops. From my hearing, many just don't have (or want to take) time to spend on grocery shopping. I suppose for those shoppers who have few obligations and not pressed for time, and want to make grocery shopping a day-trip, having all these stores is a good thing.

There was conscription of young males during WWII. Not apologizing for Nazis, but most German males had to serve, whether they believed in the cause or not. Is this enough to boycott? Obviously, you are free to boycott whatever you want for whatever reason you see fit. I just found this comment interesting.

By the way, Whole Foods Is owned by John Mackey, 59 years old, easy enough to learn his background and political opinions. He is rather outspoken. Climate change skeptic, anti-union, anti-Obama care. Should have few boycotters in USC if one wants to stereotype, lol!

This is a biography of the Albrecht brothers from the Daily Mail. Please note that in Germany serving in the Army during Hilter's reign was not optional and different from the SS units that were voluntary. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1298308/Theo-Albrecht-Aldi-founder-dies-billionaire-aged-88.html

Owned by Nazis?? Both Albrecht brothers served in the German Wehrmacht in WWII, as did virtually every healthy military age male in Germany.
A quick Google search on Theo states that he was conscripted into the German Army, served under Rommel in North Africa, and was captured in Italy prior to war's end. Not much info on his surviving brother.
Do you actually believe that everyone of the millions that served in the German Wehrmacht were Nazis? Seriously?? Please read some history.
Referring to those who served with the uninformed moniker of Nazi betrays an lgnorance of history.
I'm am certainly not defending the Nazi Party in the least,but please, have some perspective. Do you believe every soldier in the Soviet Army, Navy, and Air Force were Communist party members? Not even close, even though only Party members were assured of having family members notified if they were killed, wounded, or taken prisoner.

Deb - Your description of John Mackey, the owner of Whole Foods, climate change skeptic, anti-union and anti-Obama care, exactly fits the description of people I would not associate with nor do business with.

Lax Mom - If 9 of your grandmother's family were exterminated by the Nazis I don't think you would be giving your business to someone who sered in the Nazi army!

Francis,
I agree about not doing business with people with whom I strongly disagree with their outspoken opinions, but I understand that Whole Foods treats their employees quite well. If Mr. Mackey is not donating to those causes with profits from the business (like Chick-Fil-A) and doesn't cut employees hours to circumvent the health insurance requirements like the owners of Applebee's, Darden Foods (Olive Garden, Red Lobster, etc), or Papa John's, then I doubt I would boycott. But, knowing his opinions, I will check some of these things first. I guess that is the problem with some business owners voicing their opinions. They certainly have the right to do so, but risk losing business because of it. I am a business owner and try to be very discreet about some things because I can't afford to lose business. That's okay, I support the causes I believe in privately.

Hopefully it will be Giant Eagle. That behemoth Market District is ridiculous to navigate and their customer service is non-existant. Their produce is terribly overpriced for the quality - these other stores will definitely challenge them in that department! Perhaps this will be a wake-up call for GE to change their approach.

Quoting: "... Perhaps this will be a wake-up call for GE to change their approach. ..."

What business would like to have enjoyed the success in recent years as Giant Eagle? They have demonstrated themselves to be very sharp marketing folks, and have lured the vast majority of grocery shoppers into their stores. You may not like to navigate certain aisles, but obviously, most other shoppers are fine with the navigation.

Most other businesses would jump through hoops to have the success of GE. To change something that is working so well, ... why? Tinker, yes, but change,...? Doubting so.

I wouldn't say they've "lured" anyone; it feels more like "forced". They have had a monopoly in the area, and until recently, we haven't had much choice as to where to do our grocery shopping. And they know it. As a result they could care less about improving customer service or making a more enjoyable shopping experience (grumpy employees, overpriced food, cluttered aisles, long checkout lines, etc.) We'll see how these new stores impact the traffic flow at the GE-MD. I know since TJs has opened that the money my family spends at GE has been significantly reduced. Add in the new grocers and Target, and we just might be GE free. To each his own, though; carry on as usual if GE is your favorite. I just really prefer the idea of more choices of where to spend my dollar and shopping at stores where I'm treated as though my business is valued.

But Trader Joes is TINY compared to Giant Eagle. I can't get a ton of the things I need for my meals, I can't stock my house, I can't get my pharmacy items, drop my kids off at daycare, get fresh meats from the butcher or deli, fresh made cheese or more.

So now we have Whole Foods and Fresh Market coming. Fresh Market, from my understanding could fill the deli, butcher and other counters missing from Trader Joes. They will have a good selection of high end foods and meats at higher end prices. They will meet the needs of their customers well but again, need a family house stocked and they wont do it. 19,000 Sq Ft is still TINY and can't touch the offerings of Giant Eagle.

Last, Whole Foods, they will meet many of the Giant Eagle needs, at a price. They don't call it 'Whole Paycheck' for nothing. Again, high quality local, organic foods. Still, the store focuses on that aspect and will not be an end to end trip that a Market district trip will be.

But wait, we have Target across the road for those items!

So what does this all mean, yes there is competition, that competition is against Giant Eagle. Giant Eagle has continues to innovate and grow even when they had no competition in the area. They aren't one of the countries largest privately owned businesses for nothing. They didn't knock off the other major chains in the area for nothing.

Competition benefits the consumer. I enjoy the choice. Oh, and more jobs too!

Bryan, get a hobby or go spend time with your two-year-old

As a side comment, one of the newspapers this week had a story about eating habits. The young folks, 20-30(?) eat out an average of 252 times per year. The number has decreased slightly in recent years. But, the demand for more places to eat out is on the upward trend. Just look at all the excitement about Bonefish, Chipolte, and other recent restaurant additions to the area.

All interest in eating habits cuts in on the demand for day-to-day grocery shopping.

I think it is clear people want products similar to Whole Foods. Look at how Market District has re-branded and done so much work building up it's fresh and organic food areas.

U.S. sales of organic food and beverages have grown from $1 billion in 1990 to $26.7 billion in 2010. Sales in 2010 represented 7.7 percent growth over 2009 sales. Experiencing the highest growth in sales during 2010 were organic fruits and vegetables, up 11.8 percent over 2009 sales
Organic Trade Association’s 2011 Organic Industry Survey

Where will the buyers come from? Some will travel, as many do for Trader Joes. Many will likely push off their 'big' Giant Eagle shopping trips for quick trips to Whole Foods.

As far as Radaccios: 1. Location, poor location, not a population center (Even 5 years ago). 2. Branding and Marketing, unknown name and marketed as 'international foods', compared to well known national brands. 3. Location(Normally it is the 3 L's).

Fresh Market and Whole Foods are in the Heart of USC/Lebo/Bethel right next to the largest retail mall in the area which is only growing.

As far as the young folks eating out, this is true, many do eat out. But this is the Millenial Generation, there are more millenials than baby boomers. These are the people who want the organic and high end foods and guess what, they are getting married and starting families. Eating lifestyles change at that point. I may be wrong, you may be right, only time will tell.

"... organic items are much ..." s/b "... organic items are not much ...." Sorry.

One last note from me regarding organic foods. It is not about the food directly being 'healthier' or having any more vitamins or nutrients than non-organic foods. It isn't about shelf life, as organic foods tend to have a shorter shelf life. What I can assure is that I am eating (and feeding my 2 year old) food which is not GMO, does not use synthetic fertilizers and pesticides among other benefits. So it isn't about what IS going in my body but more what ISNT.

Yeah, because I don't want your soy-organic crap anyway. Mind your own business "Bryan"

The writer is correct. Several local families started the chain as Eagle Grocery decades ago. The Shapira family has been in the forefront of management of what has grown to be a region, multi-billion-dollar empire. The current Chief Executive Officer, Laura Shapira Karet, is a descendant of one of the founders. The family is highly philanthropic in the general community and in the Jewish community. Although local Giant Eagle management has oversight of all of the stores, a number of them are owned by local franchisees.