OFFICE OF VINCENT C.

GRAY
CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Takiyah “TN” Tate

September 27, 2022 ttate@dccouncil.us | (202) 705-2980

Councilmember Vincent C. Gray’s Statement on the

Grand Opening of Lidl’s First Full-Service Grocery Store in Ward 7
Washington, D.C. – Today, Former Mayor and current Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent C. Gray, will
join Mayor Bowser, local government officials, Ward 7 leaders, Lidl representatives, neighbors, and
business partners to celebrate the grand opening of Lidl’s first full-service grocery store in the District,
in Ward 7.

Lidl U.S., a German grocery chain, inked a deal in 2019 to open its first full-service grocery store as
an anchor for the long-awaited Skyland Town Center development. For the 170,000 people who live
on the East End of the District in Wards 7 and 8, today is a huge win in our continuous fight to end
food deserts on the East End of the District. Currently, there are only three full-service grocery stores
servicing Wards 7 and 8. The lack of full-service grocery stores and access to healthy food options has
created food deserts in this part of the city for far too long.

Councilmember Gray released the following statement:

“Since my return to the Council as Ward 7 Councilmember, I introduced three East End economic
development bills focused on ending food deserts in Wards 7 and 8 by incentivizing infrastructure and
economic development that would bring much needed neighborhood amenities to the East End. One
of my East End economic bills targeted nine development sites in Wards 7 and 8, including Skyland,
for retail, restaurants, and full-service grocery stores. Now, the first to come, the Lidl at the Skyland
Town Center in Ward 7, is the first full-service grocery store to open in Ward 7 in a decade and is
Lidl’s first in the District. This store will provide residents with greater access to healthier food options
and serve as a vital retail anchor for the Skyland Town Center.

“I am pleased to have learned that as of today’s store opening, more than 90% of the employees recently
hired at this new store are residents of Wards 7 and 8. I applaud Lidl’s investment in our community
and for leading the way. Coupled with significant breakthroughs earlier this year for the long-stalled
development of Capitol Gateway, Ward 7 is on the right path to achieving food access equity.

“Today’s Lidl grand opening is a great gain for Ward 7 as we continue to address persistent food
deserts on the East End and further improve the lives of Ward 7 and District residents. I am excited
about the valuable location the East End provides for more retail, jobs, and hospitality opportunities.”

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