UPDATE: Friday, March 19, 2021—GIANT hosted their Grand Opening. The store is now open!

UPDATE: Thursday, February 18, 2021—GIANT announced that it plans to open the urban flagship store in Philadelphia on Friday, March 19, 2021.

GIANT Food Stores announced at a press conference today that it will be opening a two-story, full-sized flagship supermarket in retail space at River Walk, a mixed-use development along the Schuykill River at 23rd and Arch. The exact location of the market will be 60 N. 23rd Street.

While I’m not reporting the news anymore, the reason I’m mentioning this is that I used to work for a GIANT Food Store over 20 years ago in the Reading, PA area so I feel like I have a personal connection to the company.

I primarily worked night shift while I was going to college during the day. I had a variety of different jobs while employed at the store. I stocked shelves, I helped unload trucks, I assisted with pricing and planograms, and even cleaned the store on more than a few occasions. I also performed various customer service tasks when working during daytime hours. Of course, working around food or anything to do with food, was pretty exciting to me even back then.

It was pretty hard work, but it instilled a lot into my current work ethic: show up, do the job, communicate with team members, and keep customers happy. If I hadn’t been going to school, I might have considered a full-time career there. But, after college, my life and interests brought me to Philadelphia. It seems like GIANT is following me! 🙂

GIANT has been expanding its presence in the city with the opening of GIANT Heirloom Market in Graduate Hospital and recently a GIANT Heirloom Market in Univerity City with more Heirloom Markets to come in Northern Liberties and Queen Village. They also have a full-sized store in Northeast Philly.

It’s an exciting time for food shopping in Philadelphia. Will you shop there?

News links:

NBC Philadelphia

Philadelphia Business Journal

Inquirer