The Giant Co. opened Riverwalk Giant, its urban flagship store, in Philadelphia on March 19. During the community grand opening, the company also announced $150,000 in donations to local organizations, including a major commitment to Mural Arts Philadelphia.
The event featured remarks from David Briel, deputy secretary of Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development; Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney; Philadelphia City Council President Darrell L. Clarke; Jane Golden, executive director of Mural Arts Philadelphia; Giant Company President Nicholas Bertram; and Jessica Fischer, Riverwalk Giant store manager.
“The Giant Co. has historically invested in our state’s communities for years and with its continued growth brings new jobs and increased access to quality foods to even more Pennsylvanians,” said Dennis Davin, Pennsylvania Community and Economic Development secretary . “Today’s store opening and the company’s generous donations will bring so much new opportunity to the Philadelphia area at such a critical time as we navigate forward in pandemic recovery.”
“Over the last few years, I’ve been glad to see The Giant Co. make significant investments in Philadelphia, on many levels, all with the single goal of enhancing our great city,” said Kenney. “Not only will the Riverwalk Giant serve families by providing access to fresh and nutritious food, it will also create jobs for Philadelphians, which is especially important right now. I’m also grateful for the philanthropic contributions that the company announced today, which build on its long legacy of giving back to the communities it serves. I congratulate The Giant Co. on the opening of its Philadelphia flagship and wish them continued success in our city.”
A highlight of the event was the announcement of contributions to a number of Philadelphia organizations. The Giant Co. committed to a $110,000 sponsorship of Mural Arts Philadelphia to create a 4,000-square-foot mural that explores how to transform food systems into equitable engines for healthy, empowered communities.
“At Mural Arts Philadelphia, we believe that art can shine a light on important issues, and we are grateful to the team at The Giant Co. for wanting to spotlight food justice,” Golden said. “We are excited to create a beautiful and important piece of public art as part of this partnership, hopefully moving the needle toward more equity in our city.”
In recognition of the important role food and local merchants play in the fabric of the city, The Giant Co. also announced a $25,000 contribution to the historic Reading Terminal Market. The donation will be used to support the market’s nearly 80 vendors, ensuring locals and visitors alike can continue enjoying the flavors of Philly now and in the future.
“We’re proud to be here today at the opening of Riverwalk Giant,” said Clarke. “This is another significant step forward for our Logan Square community, both in terms of the many different kinds of groceries residents can buy and the jobs this store will generate for people who need them. We deeply appreciate The Giant Co.’s continued investment in Philadelphia.”
Several other donations to other nonprofits that benefit families in greater Philadelphia were also announced, including Philabundance, Project Home’s Hub of Hope and Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Tree Tenders, as well as support for the city’s schools, police department and fire department. The company is also making investments in the immediate neighborhood by supporting the Schuylkill River Development Corporation and Logan Square Neighborhood Association (LSNA).
“LSNA welcomes Giant as a valued member of our city and neighborhood. We greatly appreciate the immediate sense of community Giant has demonstrated,” said Dennis Boylan, president of the Logan Square Neighborhood Association.
“On behalf of the whole team at Riverwalk, we couldn’t have envisioned a better way to celebrate our opening than by recognizing the local organizations who make this neighborhood the special place it is,” said Fischer. “We’re committed to supporting and enhancing our community as we bring our purpose of connecting families for a better future to life, and today’s donations are a symbol of that commitment.”
Located at 60 N. 23rd St., the Riverwalk Giant store is now open from 6 a.m-11 p.m. daily. The two-level store features on-site parking, a first-of-its kind food hall, the company’s largest plant-based section to date, an outdoor terrace and a self-serve tap wall. Detailed information about the store and its amenities can be found here.
The Riverwalk Giant is The Giant Co.’s fifth location to open in Philadelphia, joining its Grant Avenue Giant and three Giant Heirloom Markets. These stores, along with the recently announced Cottman Avenue project and the company’s Island Avenue e-commerce fulfillment center slated to open in November, bring the company’s total capex investment in the city to more than $106 million. Since 1998, with the help of its customers and supplier partners, and through partnerships with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philabundance, the Philadelphia Phillies, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Urban League of Philadelphia and Please Touch Museum, the company has contributed more than $35 million in support of its purpose of connecting families for a better future.
To see photos from the event, click below.
Grand Opening, Riverwalk Giant, 60 N. 23rd St., Philadelphia, PA, March 19
