No one knows yet, or at least they’re not talking, about what business will go into the now empty OFC store. But it will not be Trader Joe’s or Metropolitan Market.
The store, 14160 NE Woodinville Duvall Rd (at 178th St), has been sitting empty since QFC moved out in August 2010. Since then, rumors have circulated that Trader Joe’s was moving in, but a company spokesperson says it ain’t so.
“Trader Joe’s is not opening a store in Woodinville,” said company spokesperson Hazel. Yes, just Hazel, like just Cher. Hazel said it was a company policy to not give out last names.
Another rumor was that Metropolitan Market was moving in, again, no said CEO Terry Halverson but the independent grocer did consider the site.
“We heard about it,” said Halverson. “And we did look at it and ran the numbers and it just wouldn’t work, probably all the best spots are already taken.”
With across the street and down the road, there is already as much square footage of grocery space as the area needs, Halverson said.
So what business will move in to the empty storefront? Well, another rumor is several tasting rooms will move in as a wine village. Maybe, but with a similar enterprise being created at the old station just down the road in the Tourist Distict, it seems that too may be a saturated market.
