International market coming to Culmore
A new international grocery store, called Ummah Market, is coming to the former Walgreens building at 6053 Leesburg Pike in the Culmore area of Bailey’s Crossroads.
The store is expected to open in two or three months, says Pianda Mashel, manager of the Ummah Market in Glen Allen, Va., outside Richmond.
The store will sell products from the Middle East, Egypt, India, Afghanistan, and other countries, Mashel says. It will have fresh produce, halal meat, a bakery, seafood, housewares, and hot prepared food for takeout.
This will be the second Ummah Market and will be bigger than the other one, which was opened by brothers Jawad and Shahwali in 2020. “Ummah” means “community” in Arabic.
A building permit application submitted to Fairfax County’s Planning and Land Use System says the owner plans to renovate the former drugstore “with the objective of transforming it into a fully functional and modern grocery store.”
The project will add pocket windows, new flooring, and alterations to accommodate a new kitchen for fast food and takeout, a butcher section, and new freezers and coolers. The electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems will be upgraded.
10 responses to “International market coming to Culmore”
Leave a reply
This is great news! I am looking forward to it. I hope they can also install a small area with outside tables and chairs with umbrellas set up for those who want to eat the food they buy outside.
Terrific to see this new investment in Bailey’s Crossroads.
Horrible to see this. The Walgreens closed because of crime. Now the criminals are rewarded.
The claim the Walgreens in Culmore “closed because of crime” is complete and utter nonsense.
If crime is so bad in Culmore why did CVS invest so much money to open a brand new location in Culmore within the last two or three years.
A location that is going strong. I’ve shopped at that CVS and it seems fine and safe to me.
No, I think Walgreens made a decision not to invest money to upgrade the Culmore location to make it modern and competitive.
I think it is terrific that other individuals are investing money to create a business that will hopeful be popular and serve the local community for a long long time.
I’m so confused. How are the criminals being rewarded? Are you somehow saying the owners or the future shoppers of this international store are the criminals?
I’m confused. The sign said that the Culmore Walgreens store closed in February 2023. What caused that Walgreens store to close all of a sudden?
RENT. The owners raised the rent and they could not agree on it.
Good luck to them. It’s a rough area. I was never comfortable in the Walgreens. I’m happy that the locals will be getting a grocery store.
I can’t wait to try this place!
I welcome any grocery stores in this area. Grocery stores are always busy in this area. Always have to wait in long lines.
Just drove by and noticed the new grocery store! Wonderful to see. Wishing the store and neighborhood positive vibes!