“Mad Men” Safeway

MATTHEW0 COMMENTSFROM THE LUNCH BOX, REVOLUTION

Jun 01

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Thank you for Shopping at SAFEWAY

There’s a certain love I have for vintage grocery stores. I’m willing to put my money on the fact that that’s where I spent an extraordinary amount of time–in the trolley as my sister and brother ran around the store while I was too young to be let out to roam free.

I remember kids running off and getting into big trouble. Lots of “Do I have to put you in the car?”

And of course, lot’s of bologna. Lots and lots of bologna and liverwurst. Both used to shut me right up. That’s something that you could probably get by the truckload at this particular Safeway store that has not been upgraded in at least 50 years. It’s the “Mad Men” of Safeways here in Washington, D.C.

Safeway

3830 Georgia Avenue, NW

Petworth

Washington DC 20011

(202) 882-1140

Lost Safeway

If you get the chance, be sure to watch season one’s “Red in the Face” episode of “Mad Men” when we get a few priceless overhead shots of the “greens” section of the grocery that Betty Draper shops in. The particularly lousy selection, just atrocious whole food options, and a real sense that America was going to pot in the years pre-hippie food grocers.

From the amc.com website, the synopsis of this episode says, “At the grocery store, Betty is sizing up heads of lettuce. And Helen, the mother of a boy whose been hanging around the Draper household, wheels by and despite making eye contact, doesn’t say a word. When Betty asks what’s the matter, Helen says that she found some of Betty’s hair in her son Glen’s treasure box. Betty tries to explain, but Helen won’t have it.

“What’s wrong with you?” she says accusingly.

Impulsively, Betty slaps Helen in the face.”

Directional Signage from the 1960s

The colors at the Petworth Safeway are unpleasant and make you think, “Does food live here?” and if it does, why does it live here?” If I were edible food here, I’d make a “Toy Story”-inspired jail break for the nearest corner bogeda.

But in these formerly poor neighborhoods–like the very up-and-coming Petworth–places like the 3830 Georgia Avenue, NW, Safeway were the best that this extremely profitable chain would offer the local low income residents for decades.

We’ll see how gentrification changes this neighborhood and it’s grocery stores. This store is slated for demolition this summer and a brand spankin’ new one will be erected in its stead. For the sheer classic images I’ll miss this one.

But already there is a Yes! Gourmet which is a high-end (former hippie) health food chain. With all the modern construction in the neighborhood these days, I couldn’t help but notice how little change has happened to this grocery store. This tells me everything I need to know about Safeway’s plans here. Clearly hedging their bets against the neighborhood, they’re making a home for Don, Betty, Bobby, and Sally, until the funding for demolition comes through.

I guess they still haven’t heard that Don left Betty several seasons ago…and the kids are really picky eaters. And they don’t live here anymore!