A recent article in Supermarket News featured several supermarket operators around the country who are tapping into urban revitalization efforts. Among the grocers that have found success in revitalized urban markets are Ralphs (San Diego), Whole Foods (Portland, Maine) and Harris Teeter (Charlotte). AJ's at CityScape was also featured in the article.

These grocers find that both residents and workers in the downtown areas become shoppers, with one of the most popular items being prepared foods, and that shopping patterns differ from traditional grocery stores. In urban settings, people tend to buy meal-by-meal rather than stock up.

The commitment of AJ's to CityScape is significant in that the grocer will provide a much needed service for a growing downtown Phoenix. With its prepared foods, deli, fresh fruit and meat - plus many of the daily staples - AJ's provides an amenity that is very much in demand.

The arrival of a grocery store often indicates that a downtown has "arrived," and AJ's will definitely help all of the new housing and office being planned downtown and will be a great retailer at CityScape.