PITTSBURGH — The possibility of a grocery store opening in downtown Pittsburgh has created a buzz among residents, workers and even County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald confirmed Tuesday that his office has talked with Giant Eagle, among others, about opening a grocery store downtown.
If a store went in downtown, people say it would fill a void for groceries that’s existed since the last grocery store on Seventh Street closed a few years ago.
“Giant Eagle, being the biggest supermarket in the region, they’re interested in reaching a good market,” Fitzgerald said.
Fitzgerald said he’s talked to Giant Eagle about several possible locations, including the old Saks Fifth Avenue building and Market Square.
According to the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, there are about 125,000 people downtown daily.
“I’m fully in support of a grocery store here,” one potential customer said.
Lawyer Herb Cohen’s office isn’t far from Market Square, and he thinks a grocery store could help more people make their homes downtown.
Ashley Meuller, who lives close to Market Square, said she agrees with Cohen.
“Maybe don’t do large grocery shopping. Maybe something small, something that I need for that night or day,” Meuller said.
Giant Eagle officials released the following statement: "While there are currently no confirmed plans for a new downtown Pittsburgh location, we continue to be intrigued by the City's population growth and the countless number of commercial development projects underway."
Fitzgerald wouldn’t say when he thinks a new grocery store could move into downtown Pittsburgh, but he said he doesn’t think it would be very large given the space constraints.
WPXI
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