Union Kitchen Grocery Opens With Local Focus

A corner market has returned to 3rd and F streets NE, with Cheerios, toilet paper and local Bloody Mary mix.

Union Kitchen Grocery, the former home of Martin’s Market, opened today at 538 3rd St. NE with about 200 offerings, which skew toward local food.

In addition to the Gordy’s Pickle Jar Bloody Mary Mix for $10.95, other D.C.-area items include Milk Cult ice cream for $7.49 and Capital Kombucha for $3.45. It also sells made-to-order sandwiches and coffee.

“People have been excited to see local things,” said Edward Ford, the store’s grocery manager.

But corner store staples like Cheerios ($4.95), toilet paper ($10.95) and peanut butter ($4.95) are on the shelves, too. It also will have beer and wine in the coming months.

Patrick Lally, a Capitol Hill resident, said he particularly appreciated Union Kitchen Grocery’s unique offerings after he browsed the store. The store is owned by Cullen Gilchrist and Jonas Singer, founders of Union Kitchen, an incubator for D.C. food businesses.

“For me, this is the type of business where you can get specialty items you can’t get in a supermarket,” said Lally, 52.

Sarah DeLucia, 32, who also lives in the neighborhood, said she wished the shop had more vegan food, but was happy to have a new store nearby.

“I’m excited it’s here,” said DeLucia, who bought some treats for her dog.

Union Kitchen Grocery is open every day from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.