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PunkRockKing t1_itmzosl wrote

Reply to comment by stoogemcduck in The Walmart at the Waterworks Mall is closing in November by James19991

Giant Eagle fights to keep other grocers out, that’s why the Walmart there never had full groceries. I’d love a Trader Joe’s

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bdoc01 t1_itn7t83 wrote

yup they have non-competes in their leases. sometimes they don’t get re-upped but it’s definitely a blocker in many areas.

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phasmos t1_ito6cyu wrote

More than once, I've emailed Trader Joe's and recommended the vacant Community Market in the next plaza over on Freeport. No response. The rumor I heard is that Giant Eagle bought the space for the express purpose of keeping competition out, which wouldn't surprise me much.

For a while, Fresh Market was planning to open a branch there. It's a Whole Foods-type organic food market; the existing local store is by the Galleria in Mt. Lebanon. They eventually backed out.

A Trader Joe's on that side of the river would be fantastic. More likely, they'd plunk another Aldi in there, but it's just been sitting there empty for years now.

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mhoppy86 t1_itpy60e wrote

Giant Eagle owned the space already, leasing it out to the Community Market, through their Echo Realty division. Giant Eagle was also the distributor for the store, so they made money through wholesaling and rent.

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