Lidl, recently ranked a top 3 U.S. grocer by USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards, will be the first full-service supermarket serving residents in Wards 7 and 8 to open in more than a decade.
The site is Lidl’s first store in the District and it is scheduled to open in Fall 2022. The store will create approximately 45 new jobs, with wages starting at $16.50 per hour and benefits for all starting at under $25 per paycheck. Lidl’s industry-leading benefits include healthcare for all positions and 401K with generous company match. Lidl is working with the Skyland Workforce Center, which was created by WC Smith and our retail development partner Rappaport, to help staff the store from the local area.
“Today, we celebrate a significant milestone that brings fresh, affordable, and healthy food to the residents of Ward 7,” said Mayor Bowser. “The new Lidl Food Market at Skyland demonstrates our commitment to delivering more grocery stores and food access points to neighborhoods East of the River. This grocery store has been a long time coming, and we are proud to be delivering for a community that has worked so hard to get to this groundbreaking.”
The 29,000 square foot store will join The Crest, a 263-unit residential property that opened in April, and a CVS and Chase Bank at Skyland town Center. Scheduled to open in 2022 are DC’s first drive-through Starbucks, several restaurants, a barber shop and a nail salon.
“Lidl’s opening this year means that our residents at The Crest and our properties nearby will have a top quality supermarket at their doorstep,” said WC Smith Chairman and CEO Chris Smith. “WC Smith has long been active in this part of Southeast Washington, as we manage more than 4,000 apartments in Wards 7 and 8. Having Lidl so conveniently located will provide a significant boost to the neighborhood and a much-needed service to the all people who live here.”
Rappaport and WC Smith, who lead the retail and residential leasing, partnered with the District Government as well as other entities such as the Washington East Foundation, Marshall Heights Community Development Organization and Skyland DC to redevelop Skyland Town Center over the last 17 years.
