First Hill, Seattle - M Street Grocery Closed
I just got back from the final day of M Street Grocery.
When I arrived, I found a crowd of people and TV cameras. When I walked up to find out what was happening, I was told the following:
- The M Street Grocery would not be open today.
- The reason they would not open is because the lawyers for the landlord would not allow them to open.
- The reason the M is closing is because the landlord doubled the rent for the store from $22,000 to $44,000.
- The M would be donating much of its remaining food to a local food bank.
Remember, I was told all of the above by local shoppers. I cannot confirm or deny the accuracy of any of it.
I also learned (from the same folks) that the employees of the M were notified of its closing last Thursday night, that its last day will be Friday (the next day).
Said one longtime shopper “Had I known that they were going to close, I would have been out here with protest signs the next day!”.
I think many people would have, and that was probably why the landlord has acted in the manner that he has. The M is the only supermarket on First Hill, the next closest being the QFC at Pike and Broadway.
A large number of people came to the M today. They walked, drove, and took buses to the market. Everyone was confused and disappointed.
M Street Grocery - Disappointed and Confused Shoppers
M Street Grocery - Disappointed and Confused Shopper
M Street Grocery - Disappointed and Confused Shoppers
Inside M Street Grocery
In the end, this is why America will eventually fail. We are all being crushed under an avalanche of pure, unbridled greed, and it will only get worse until people cannot take any more.
For my part, I will do my best to organize a boycott of whatever business moves into the M space. It’s not too late to protest. The landlord may have made a serious miscalculation.
I would like to choke off the financial viability of that particular space. Boycott the new tenant. Do not spend a penny in the store. We can make the $22,000 they were getting from the M the most they ever got from a tenant. As citizens, it’s really the only retribution we have. We can hit the landlord and the lawyer back where it hurts the most … in the bank account.
I hope you will join me.
M Street Grocery Welcome Sign
Goodbye M Street Grocery. I knew you for a month, but it was evident today that you had scores of loyal customers and admirers. They all spoke glowingly of the market, and were borderline depressed that it was leaving. Apparently, you served the community, and served it well. I wish I had the chance to know you better.
Now, I never will.
You people are being ridiculous. You are assuming because the rent doubled in price that is it ridiculous. If you had bought gold 10 years ago at $250 an ounce would it be ridiculous to sell it for $500 an ounce today? The prevailing rate is $1350 an ounce today.
Now you know who to boycott…
“The Seattle DJC reports that in 2006 developer Opus Northwest sold the M Street development to the Ohio State Teachers Retirement Fund for $74.36 million.”
http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2011/01/27/first-hills-m-street-grocery-shutting-down
That store must have been a Rexsend to the folks towards the bottom of the hill while it was open. It is quite a trek up to the Harvard Market QFC from that area.
At least while near the Harvard Market, they can stop into the Garage for a pint or two with some Pearl Jam alumni. I miss the Garage. Though, judging by their website, they have made some changes since 2001. They used to have great happy hour prices at the bar and at the pool tables!
http://www.garagebilliards.com/mambo/
There is a Kress at 3rd & Pike, Harvard Market, QFC at Broadway & Pike, and QFC at Broadway & Republican. I use all of these places, in addition to M Street.
I am lucky to be further north near these other stores. M Street was king of a lone outpost, though, directly on 1st Hill, an area surrounded by hospitals and clinic. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that the market really contributed to the overall livability of that immediate area.
It was also an independent market. A dying breed. And it employed 32 people who seemed to really like their jobs.
Oh well, at least some old people in Ohio will get a few extra bucks in their pensions.
At some point, I would like to see municipalities restrict property ownership to local residents only.
If you shat where you lived, you’d eat better.
There must be other retail space available nearby under more favourable terms. It sounds like the business was viable and the owner was not particularily greedy. Maybe they can reopen somewhere close. Why not get the community involved and open the place as a co-op?
The owners of this market are gems. This is an incredible loss for th community. Good luck to the new owners maybe they should have done their homework
Wow, does this get to the heart of so much Rex’s Rexilosophy. As one who owns and manages such establishments I can tell you that I will take into account certain subjective factors relative to my lessees. A somewhat lower rent is justified if they pay on time, maintain the premises and are a positive for the neighborhood. If the lease expired then the lessee either should have known what was coming and given their people fore warning, or they were incompetent business-wise and were clueless.
However, in this case, like DR said, they most likely had a long term lease for considerably under market. Lessor’s costs will have increased, and even with a full NNN lease that covers taxes and insurance, lessors take the chance with their investment to make money. If the new rent is way out of line, then they will not get a new tenant and will pay the price.
It’s the neighborhoods choice to not patronize the place if they choose and show the lessor what they lost. If a new tenant comes in and makes it, then that’s life according to that progrssive icon, Darwin.
Why is it all the poeple I know who disdain maximized profit (greed?), none of them have ever put their hard earned capital at risk? Or they never have ever acquired any capital?
like Vegas, you have to pay to play.
Just curious Mr. Capitalist … from where do Ohio State Teacher’s derive their capital?
The competitive marketplace or taxpayer seizures by government which ostensibly goes to benefit the people?
It’s easy to be a recessionary hardass when your income is guaranteed by government wealth-transfers.
“from where do Ohio State Teacher’s derive their capital?” Rex, you are absolutely right on. I missed the whole point of your post.
My guess is that the OSU teachers’ retirement pension fund is the lessor. Whenever we hear “invest in education” we really are hearing spend money for union votes by using other taxpayer’s money for teacher pensions. I am well versed on this subject as a born and raised Californian whose wife, sister and 3 brothers inlaw, daughter and daughter-in-law are all teachers. We have, uh, interesting discussions.
It’s a major reason why so many states are upside down. Education and public works are just our money going to govmint unions.
Great great photos BTW. Some of your best.
I just realized they were closed this week – I was out of town the week before…very sad – i had waited many years for a new market in that area – and it was so nice to have it there the last few…
I work close to the IGA and go there a lot as well – I guess they will now be my sole goto – as a walking non car owning downtowner – the others are a bit too out of the way…