The agonizing wait is over. Georgetown's beloved Social Safeway is reopening in a brand-new structure after a terrifying and heart-wrenching absence of a place to flirt while grocery shopping on Wisconsin Avenue.
Breathe a sigh of relief... now.
The new store opened Wednesday night with an exclusive, invitation-only gala (yes, this is a grocery store, we swear) and then a grand opening ceremony Thursday morning with a ribbon cutting -- because a new Social Safeway is a big deal and they are not messing around here.
The Social Safeway, so nicknamed because it's long been a spot where shoppers have gone to chat up their friends and neighbors and linger over their carts, shut down about a year ago. The old building, with a large parking lot in front, was demolished. The new structure is located up against the sidewalk for a more urban atmosphere, with several street-front shops. Parking is still available, but it's under and behind the store.
An expanded wine and beer selection will include a wine steward on hand to answer all your grape-based questions and a specialty cheese department with some varieties flown in daily from Europe. (This is Georgetown, after all.)
Plus, in the grand tradition of, well, Whole Foods, you'll be able to sit down and nosh at the sushi bar, gelato bar, Starbucks bar and who knows how many other types of bar? An indoor/outdoor seating area picks up the "social" trend, with a fireplace, HD TVs, free WiFi and an open balcony.
Other things you would never possibly have thought of, but now will not be able to live without: a warm nut bar offering nuts that you can flavor or grind on-site, a self-serve olive bar and an open-flame hearth oven baking up European-style artisan breads.
The new spot, which is the District's first LEED-certified grocery store, will be open 24 hours a day at 1855 Wisconsin Ave. N.W.
