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Grand Mart’s Grand Opening

A Wealth of International Foods
Can Be Found in Old Giant Building.

By Nora Hemphill (January 9, 2005)

The usually vacant parking lot in front of what many of us know as the old Giant grocery store was packed today. Flags hung overhead, balloons blew in the wind, and a Japanese man sang karaoke. All of this was in celebration of the grand opening of Falls Church’s newest and largest international grocery store, Grand Mart.


The relatively small grocery store was filled with all kinds of people speaking at least six different languages. Grand Mart combines all the products from Asian, Latino, and American cultures in its aisles. It is a good source for everything from eggs and Jet-Puff marshmallows to gallon size jars of kimchi (spicy Korean cabbage).

Grand Mart has enormous meat and produce departments, both containing many products that I had never before seen. The meat section has more cuts of meat than I would know what to do with; the man behind the seafood counter will cut the head off your fish, leave it on, or filet it for sashimi. The produce department stocks not only apples and oranges, but also daikon (a large, Asian root), 5-pound sacks of bean sprouts, and many more exotic fruits and vegetables. It also has large bunches of herbs that Giant and Safeway are frequently running out of.

Prices at Grand Mart are comparatively low. Although the American foods seem to be a little more expensive, most of the items found in the "international" aisles at Giant are significantly less at Grand Mart. There are many spices that sell for $4.00 a jar at other supermarkets priced at $0.99 for a similar-sized bag.

Shoppers peruse the large selection of fresh
produce, many of it foreign to American shoppers,
 at the new Grand Mart international supermarket
 located at the former Giant at Seven Corner's
.

Although the Giant that used to be in the same location was not very popular after the opening of the Giant Food in the West Falls Church shopping center, Grand Mart offers many more options as well as a unique cultural experience. It is sure to introduce us to new foods as well as provide a nearby spot (for East Falls Church residents) for late night milk runs.

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