CARLISLE, Pa. — GIANT Co. plans to open its urban flagship store in Philadelphia on Friday, March 19. The two-level store will be GIANT’s fifth in the city, joining its Grant Avenue store and three GIANT Heirloom Markets.

Together with the just-announced Cottman Avenue project and the company’s Island Avenue e-commerce fulfillment center that is slated to open in November, The new flagship outlet will bring GIANT’s total capex investment in Philadelpha to more than $106 million.

“Philadelphia’s grocery scene is experiencing a major renaissance and The GIANT Company has been at the forefront, introducing new formats, opening new stores, and expanding grocery delivery services,” said GIANT president Nicholas Bertram. “Our Riverwalk store celebrates this transformation, offering an elevated omnichannel grocery experience unlike anything Philadelphia has ever seen. Expertly designed to meet the needs of urban dwellers, our Riverwalk store is the perfect blend of modern sophistication and surprise, and of course, pays homage to the city’s fantastic food scene. We can’t wait for opening day and to finally let the community discover what we’ve created for them — a one stop destination for all things food.”

Jessica Fischer, a 22-year GIANT veteran, has been named manager of the Riverwalk store. Fischer most recently served as manager of the company’s University City GIANT Heirloom Market.

“Having been with the company for more than 20 years, I can confidently say that in everything we do, we aspire to deliver a grocery experience that inspires and excites our customers and to be a community partner that lifts up the families and neighborhoods we serve in every sense of the word — Riverwalk will be no different,” said Fischer. “I know I speak for the whole team when I say we can’t wait to return the warm welcome we’ve received and show our neighbors that we aren’t just another grocery store and that The GIANT Company is a partner they can count on, and one that will grow alongside them.”

First announced in 2019 as a centerpiece of the Logan Square neighborhood’s new Riverwalk mixed-use development project, the 65,000 square foot store is located on the 2nd floor of a 25-floor residential tower. GIANT chose Chute Gerdeman, an award-winning retail design and branding firm based in Columbus, Ohio, to work on the design. Riverwalk incorporates design elements inspired by the company’s heritage as well as its GIANT Heirloom Market format, with wood elements, and its signature colors, red and black.

The new store has a ground-level parking garage with direct access to the store’s lobby, which is decorated with work by local artists. The lobby also has a full-size Starbucks and a GIANT Direct pickup station for online orders.

The full store is located on the second floor, accessible by elevator, escalator, or stairs, with a dedicated “cartalator” for shopping carts. Residents of the apartments above the store have exclusive access via a private elevator.

A first-of-its kind Food Hall is the centerpiece of the new store, showcasing food options from such local eateries as Mission Taqueria, Saladworks and Hissho Sushi, as well as made-to-order sandwiches, flatbread pizzas, smoked meats, hot foods, and gelato. The hall itself has seating with views of the Schuylkill River, 30th Street Station, and the riverside bike path. Customers can also enjoy food and drink from the Food Hall and store on a terrace, complete with lounge-style furniture and fire pits.

“Our new brand platform, For Today’s Table, is all about encouraging families to connect over a meal; it’s what we stand for and guides all that we do,” Bertram said. “Our Riverwalk store brings For Today’s Table to life in a way that until now, we have only dreamed about. It’s the sum of the team’s very best work and is a tangible symbol of The GIANT Company’s continued focus on omnichannel growth, innovation and above all else, families and community.”

Other features of the new store include:

• A signature produce department with 600 varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables, including many from local farms.
• The company’s largest plant-based section to date, with meat and fish substitutes including Impossible and Beyond products, vegan cheeses, ice creams, and other desserts.
• A full-service meat and seafood department includes a newly introduced aged beef program with steakhouse quality cuts, such as bone-in rib eyes and strips, aged in-house for up to 42 days. The store will also offer a wide range of fresh, sustainably sourced seafood, including fish, lobster, and shellfish.
• A large cheese section, offering a wide assortment of domestic and imported cheeses plus selections from Philabundance’s Abundantly Good cheese label that helps support dairy farmers in the commonwealth. Customers will be able to receive food and wine pairing recommendations.
• A full-service deli with Boar’s Head deli meats and cheeses along with an expanded selection of prepared foods and grab and go meals. The department also includes a charcuterie station and a mozzarella station featuring cannoli and more from Spring Grove, Pa.-based Caputo Brothers Creamery.
• A robust beer and wine collection, the largest in company’s chain. The section features local craft beers and imported favorites as well as Old and New World wine, prosecco, and champagne. The store will also feature a Beer Garden, complete with a self-serve tap wall offering more than 40 craft beers, wines, hard seltzer, cider, and kombucha on tap.

The Riverwalk will also carry locally sourced products from One Village Coffee, Claudio’s, High Street on Market, Asher’s Chocolates, and Isgro Pastries, as well as health and beauty, personal and family care products, natural and organic items, pet food and supplies, household essentials, and seasonal items.

Upon opening, the Riverwalk store is expected to employ 220 team members.

The company will host a community grand opening on the morning of Friday, March 19, starting at 8:35 a.m. The event will include remarks from Bertram, Fischer and other guests, and the company will announce a round of donations to nonprofits that benefit families in both the immediate Logan Square neighborhood and greater Philadelphia. The event will be held in accordance with the city of Philadelphia’s current COVID-19 guidelines. Face coverings are required and social distancing measures will be in effect.