Giant Eagle to Debut Another Small-Format Concept

PITTSBURGH -- Giant Eagle Inc., operator of both supermarkets and convenience stores, plans to debut a new small-format concept that combines its flagship Market District and Giant Eagle Express formats.

Called Market District Express, the new two-story store is expected to open in the Columbus, Ohio, suburb of Bexley in 2015, according to a report by Columbus Business First.

A Columbus-based developer, Continental Real Estate Cos., notified the Bexley community about the plan at a May 14 city council meeting. This first Market District Express store will be built on a 1.7-acre property that’s being redeveloped for retail from its prior use as Bexley City Hall.

Giant Eagle presently operates five Market District stores – four in the Pittsburgh area and one in the Columbus market. Meanwhile, the chain also has two small-format Giant Eagle Express stores, the first of which opened in Harmar Township, Pa., more than five years ago.

The Market District Express store may include a second-level patio where customers can dine, similar to Giant Eagle's original Market District store, the news outlet reported.

Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle Inc. operates 229 supermarkets and 187 GetGo fuel and convenience stores throughout western Pennsylvania, Ohio, northern West Virginia and Maryland.