Safeway on Maryland Ave NE to close May 16, cutting Ward 5 grocery access

Safeway will close its Maryland Avenue NE grocery and pharmacy location in Ward 5 on May 16, leaving a retail gap for nearby residents. The chain announced the shutdown this week, with the store scheduled to shutter mid-May. The store has served the neighborhood as a combined grocery and pharmacy destination.

Local shoppers who relied on the store for groceries and prescriptions will need to find alternatives once the location closes. The closure affects residents within walking distance of the Maryland Avenue NE site as well as older adults and others who depend on accessible pharmacy services.

Local impact on Ward 5 residents

The store's closure reduces the number of neighborhood retail options in Northeast D.C. Grocery and pharmacy access are daily essentials for many Ward 5 households; losing a proximate full-service store can increase travel time and cost for routine shopping and medication refills. Community members and local leaders may press for information about replacement tenants or support services for impacted residents.

Company and city response

The company announced the closure but did not provide a detailed public explanation of the decision in the initial notice. City officials have not yet announced any immediate response or plans to address the loss of the store. Observers will be watching for statements from the retailer, the store's owner or property manager, and Ward 5 representatives.

Neighborhood grocery closures often prompt discussions about food access, transit connections, and local business investment. The change comes as retailers nationally reassess store footprints, but the specific local factors leading to this Safeway closure have not been detailed publicly.

Advocates and customers may pursue short-term workarounds, such as using nearby supermarkets, independent grocers, or pharmacy delivery services. The longer-term outcome will depend on whether another grocer, pharmacy, or community-oriented retailer moves into the vacated space.

Watch for official statements from the retailer and city officials in the coming days and for local efforts to map alternative grocery and pharmacy resources for Ward 5 residents.