Store will feature a taproom dubbed 'The Underground'

CARLISLE, Pa. – GIANT Food Stores will open its third GIANT Heirloom Market in Philadelphia on November 15, the company said on Thursday.

Tommy McClain

The two-level, 13,000-square-foot store is located at 1002 N. Second St. in Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties neighborhood. The third GIANT Heirloom Market to open in the city, including the format’s debut in January, the new location will include an underground taproom and gaming area.

“Much like Philadelphia’s story continues to unfold, so does the story of GIANT Heirloom Market, and our new store in Northern Liberties is the next exciting chapter,” said Nicholas Bertram, president, GIANT Food Stores. “We continue to learn, and our new location will bring new innovations while featuring what customers love most about GIANT Heirloom Market — fresh produce, locally made products and our Nature’s Promise brand.”

Tommy McClain, a grocery veteran with more than 20 years experience, has been named manager of the Northern Liberties GIANT Heirloom Market. McClain, who joined GIANT in 2016, played a key role in the opening of both of the previous Heirloom Market locations, in the Graduate Hospital and University City neighborhoods.

“Northern Liberties is always buzzing with activity and that’s especially true at the corner of North Second and Wildey Streets as we get ready to open the doors to our newest GIANT Heirloom Market next month, just in time for the holiday season,” McClain said. “We’re looking forward to getting to know our new neighbors, introducing them to all that GIANT Heirloom Market has to offer and serving families in Northern Liberties.”

The taproom in the store’s lower level, called “The Underground,” is a GIANT first. The space will offer more than 40 craft beers, wines, hard seltzers and hard kombucha on tap. It will also include a gaming area with classic arcade games, shuffleboard and a Scrabble Wall. Customers can sample an ounce or order a full pour of their beverage of choice from touch screens above each tap. All offerings in the taproom are also available to go.

“As we created each GIANT Heirloom Market, we listened to the community and let their feedback guide our plans,” McClain said. “In our conversations, they told us they enjoyed having that third place away from home and work – a place to unwind, get a casual bite with friends, maybe have a drink or play a game. The Underground is our response to their wishes.”

The new store will also showcase products from local suppliers, including Claudio Specialty Foods, High Street on Market,  Isgro Pastries and One Village Coffee.