The grocery anchor at Hechinger Mall is about to go dark. The Safeway at 1601 Maryland Ave. NE in Northeast Washington is expected to close by May 16, according to an Albertsons spokesperson, leaving many nearby residents with one less place for a full grocery run.
As first reported by FOX 5 DC on March 16, a company spokesperson said the Hechinger Mall location is "expected to close by May 16." The report also noted that the move follows the shopping center's dollar-store exit earlier this year, thinning out an already shrinking lineup of mall tenants.
Store location and services
Safeway lists the Hechinger Mall store at 1601 Maryland Ave. NE and notes that it offers pharmacy, pickup and delivery services. According to Safeway, the store has long served the surrounding blocks off the H Street corridor.
Where shoppers can turn
For budget-minded shoppers, an Aldi at 901 17th St. NE remains close by, according to ABRA. Whole Foods Market at 600 H St. NE and Giant Food at 300 H St. NE are other full-service choices on the corridor, and both companies list hours and services for those stores on their official sites. Details for each can be found via Whole Foods Market and Giant Food.
Transit context
The closure is landing in the middle of larger transportation changes in the neighborhood. The DC Streetcar, which has run on the H Street corridor since 2016, is set to end service on March 31, 2026, under a plan announced last fall by DDOT. The agency is working with WMATA on alternate travel options, and riders are being nudged toward bus service along the corridor.
WMATA's D20 bus route continues to operate on H Street and Benning Road and remains a link to neighborhood grocery stores; schedules and route details are available through WMATA.
What comes next
Albertsons has not yet shared staffing plans for workers at the Hechinger Mall store or said what might replace the Safeway footprint after the expected May 16 closure that was first described to FOX 5 DC. With the mall already losing other tenants this year, neighbors and local officials will be watching closely to see whether redevelopment or new retailers step in. This story will be updated if the company or the property owner releases additional information.
