For years, one of the biggest asks from Downtown residents has been a full-service grocery store within walking distance.
That wish is finally coming true. Downtown Columbus, Inc. announced that Giant Eagle will anchor Phase II of The Peninsula development with a brand-new 20,000-square-foot Market District.
The store will sit at the corner of Belle and Broad Streets and promises the whole package: fresh produce, meat and seafood, ready-to-eat meals, beer and wine, and all the pantry staples you’d expect from a modern grocery run.
In other words, no more cobbling together groceries from convenience stores or driving to the burbs.
“This is a proud moment for our team in Central Ohio and an important milestone for how we plan to elevate our commitment to this region in the years to come,” said Bill Artman, President and CEO of Giant Eagle.
The grocery will occupy the ground floor of a mixed-use building, with more than 200 apartments stacked above and an attached parking garage.
Mayor Andrew Ginther pointed out that the store’s location will connect Downtown and Franklinton while also tying into future transit corridors. “This store will help Downtown Columbus meet growing residential demand and remain competitive with other thriving metros,” he said.
It’s also a direct response to what residents have been asking for.
A grocery store was one of the top recommendations to come out of the 2022 Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan. City Council President Shannon Hardin called it “a promise kept to the residents and workers of Downtown who have long asked for one.”
The development team behind Phase II includes The Daimler Group and Flaherty & Collins, working alongside Downtown Columbus, Inc. and the city. The addition of Giant Eagle signals growing confidence in Downtown’s evolution into a dense, walkable neighborhood.
“When we talk about growing to 40,000 residents and 120,000 workers Downtown, we’re not just talking about buildings – we’re talking about creating a complete community,” said Alex Fischer, Chairman of the Downtown Columbus Inc. Board of Directors.
Construction on the new Market District is expected to begin in 2026.
Featured image via Facebook.
