The Corner Store Returns

"In the mid-1990s - just as the fortunes of cities began to shift - Whole Foods pioneered more urban formats, says Jim Voelzke, an principal with MV+A Architects of Bethesda. Whole Foods found an eager market - and Harris Teeter, Safeway, and Giant later followed with urban-format stores in the DC area, he says.

The region is not unusual, the architects say. Wherever the right conditions exist - good-quality urbanism and underserved markets - supermarket operators are now willing the break the old rules."

Thanks to Renee Brutvan