Giant at Bowie Plaza to close

Employees to be given chance to work at other Giant stores

Thursday, Aug. 24, 2006

Uncertainty over the future of the Giant store at Bowie Plaza ended on Friday when Giant Food Stores listed it on a press release among several store location that are to be axed.

The decision to close the 40-year-old store comes following several months of speculation regarding the store’s fate. The grocery store’s closure is scheduled for mid-September but a specific date has not yet been announced.

The decision was reached with the grocery chain anticipating the future arrival of the Super Giant at Free State Mall.

Property Manager John Zuk of Regency Centers of Bowie Plaza said that his company had not been formally notified.

‘‘Since we have not received a formal notification we are still expecting Giant to be located there and have not looked at any future tenants,” Zuk said.

The eventual closure has not been received well by some residents, Bowie resident Frank Javve said he hoped that the Giant would stay because it was very convenient for customers.

Javve said that an employee had told him the store would be closing on Sept. 14 with the grand opening of the Super Giant at Free State Mall the following day on Sept. 15. However Giant Foods Vice President of Public Affairs Barry F. Scher said this was not accurate

‘‘The Giant at the Bowie Plaza will not be closing until the Super Giant is open,” Scher said. ‘‘All associates from the other Giant store will have an opportunity at the Super Giant.”

The arrival of the Super Giant in Bowie, is one of the new ‘‘prototypes” in the Baltimore-Washington area. Along with Bowie, Chevy Chase and Urbana will also have a Super Giant.

The new Super Giants will feature natural foods section, an ethnic food section that will contain Hispanic, Thai and Oriental food selections and a DVD rental section along with other amenities.

‘‘I hope people will shop at the Super Giant because it is very convenient.” Scher said.

The closing of the Bowie Plaza Giant is one of several stores scheduled close before the end of this year throughout Maryland and Virginia.

The Giant at Bowie Plaza is located at 6824 Laurel-Bowie Road.

For more information call 301-341-4710.

Email Marcus Ngbea at mngbea@gazette.net.