Press Release: Councilmember Vincent C. Gray is Pleased to Announce Starbucks is Coming to Skyland

News Release — Ward 7 DC Council member Vincent Gray

January 23, 2020

Contact: Takiyah “T.N.” Tate

Washington, D.C.  – The popular coffee shop Starbucks along with a new financial institution Chase Bank will take occupancy as tenants at Skyland Town Center.  As part of a recently signed deal, Starbucks will open its first stand-alone drive-through shop in the East End of the District at the Skyland Town Center in Ward 7. 

Skyland is a long-awaited development project that will feature 130,000 square feet of retail; a full-service grocery store, Lidl; a medical building and over 260 residential rental units.  Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent C. Gray has fought unremittingly to bring more retail, sit-down restaurants and full-service grocery stores to the Ward through three bills he introduced including the Grocery Incentive Act which were passed by the Council last year. 

Additionally, Councilmember Gray and other District officials met with Starbucks executives to discuss opportunities like this at last year’s International Council of Shopping Centers’ annual Recon conference in Las Vegas.  Starbucks locating at Skyland is a huge win for the 150,000 people who live on the East End of the District, specifically Ward 7 residents. 

Upon receiving the official announcement, Gray released the following statement:

“I am pleased that Starbucks will soon open its first drive-through shop in the District in Ward 7, at the Skyland Town Center.  We have worked relentlessly to bring a solid anchor to Skyland after Walmart reneged and withdrew its commitment to locate at Skyland.  This is another substantial step toward bringing more retail options and ensuring the future of Skyland as a desired location for retail opportunities,” Gray stated.

“Since my return to the Council,” Gray continued, “I have introduced three East End bills focused on ending food deserts in Wards 7 and 8 by incentivizing greater economic development and bringing needed amenities to the East End.  One of these bills targets nine development sites in Wards 7 and 8, including Skyland, for retail and full-service grocery stores.  Securing an anchor for Skyland after Walmart reneged on its commitment to open a store at Skyland is an incredible feat.”

“The Starbucks announcement is a major win for Ward 7 and District residents.  I look forward to continuing to work with our partners, stakeholders and my Ward 7 Economic Development Advisory Council to bring even more desperately needed retail and healthy food options to the East End of the District,” Gray concluded.

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