After enduring more than five months without a local supermarket, Edmondson Village and its neighboring communities in West Baltimore are eagerly anticipating the arrival of a new grocery store. La Mart International Food, a family-run grocery chain, is stepping in to fill the void left by the Giant Food store that closed its doors in June, promising to bring fresh food access back to the Edmondson Square Shopping Center.
The departure of Giant Food, a fixture on Edmondson Avenue for over two decades, was a significant blow to the community. Citing concerns about meeting financial expectations, the closure exacerbated existing issues of food access, transforming District 8 neighborhoods into what is defined as a food desert by Baltimore City’s Department of Planning. This designation highlights areas where residents face significant barriers to accessing healthy and affordable food options. The relocation of the Giant store further south intensified these challenges, leaving many residents, particularly seniors and those with limited transportation, struggling to obtain groceries.
However, Councilmember Kristerfer Burnett, representing District 8, has announced a positive change on the horizon. He confirmed that La Mart International Food will take over the vacant space in February, bringing renewed hope to the community. “It’s very exciting,” Burnett stated, emphasizing the positive impact this development will have, especially for vulnerable populations. He believes La Mart International Food will be “of huge help to our seniors and those with limited access to transportation,” effectively addressing a critical need in the area.
While Councilmember Burnett wasn’t involved in the initial recruitment of La Mart International Food, he has engaged with the local operator and expresses optimism about the store’s success in Edmondson Square. The Edmondson Village area has been undergoing a substantial redevelopment project, including new housing units, which Burnett believes has made the location more attractive to businesses like La Mart International Food. He also notes a growing trend of grocers investing in Southwest Baltimore, exemplified by the recent opening of Jumbo Fresh supermarket, indicating a positive shift in the area’s economic landscape.
La Mart International Food: An International Grocer for a Diverse Community
According to their website, La Mart International Food is not just a typical grocery store; it’s an international market, drawing comparisons to the popular H Mart chain. This means Edmondson Village residents can anticipate a diverse range of products, catering to a variety of culinary preferences. La Mart International Food boasts a wide selection of produce, spanning from Asian to Latin American varieties, including unique items like pipián and Shanghai bok choy. Customers can also expect a robust offering of fresh meats and fish, ensuring access to essential ingredients for diverse cuisines.
Established in 2004, La Mart International Food has expanded to five locations, with three in Maryland and two in Virginia, demonstrating a solid track record and business model. Notably, La Mart International Food caters to a multilingual clientele, offering deals and information in languages like Korean, Hindi, and Vietnamese, reflecting its commitment to serving diverse communities.
Community leader Monique Washington, President of the Edmondson Village Association, who actively campaigned to retain the Giant supermarket, expressed surprise and delight at the news of La Mart International Food’s arrival. Having anticipated a prolonged period without a local grocer, she views La Mart International Food as a welcome and potentially superior replacement. In the interim, community members have taken initiative, distributing produce from carts and cars to alleviate food insecurity, highlighting the community’s resilience and need.
Washington emphasizes the community’s high expectations for La Mart International Food, stating, “We want to hold them to the same standards that they’ve set at every other store they’ve opened.” She envisions a strong partnership between the community and La Mart International Food, advocating for open communication and mutual support to ensure the store’s success and the community’s access to quality groceries. Past experiences with fragmented communication underscore the importance of this partnership, where residents feel empowered to voice concerns and the operator receives the necessary community support.
“This is a partnership,” Washington asserts, emphasizing the collective effort needed to ensure “access to healthy foods and a quality store that we deserve.” The arrival of La Mart International Food represents more than just a new grocery store; it symbolizes a renewed commitment to food access, community collaboration, and a positive step forward for Edmondson Village.
