Whole Foods and Lidl open stores in Washington, D.C.

Two new grocery stores are set to open this month in Washington, D.C., reports local news outlet DCist. The new Lidl is set to open on June 28 and joins a new Whole Foods store opening at The Parks at Walter Reed location on the same day.

Lidl, the grocery chain originating from Germany and now expanding to a global network of stores, will be opening this second store in the D.C. area (U.S. headquarters is in Arlington, Va.), bringing its overall total to roughly 11,550 stores. 

The new location will provide local produce, meat, imported cheeses, and European pastries. On opening day the grocery retailer will provide free samples, Lidl merchandise, and special promotions for the event, according to DC News Now.

The new 47,000-square-foot Whole Foods also will feature local items from across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Plus, the new store will include a specialty cheesemaker, full-service seafood and butcher counter, a bakery, and a prepared hot foods section.

Opening day plans include a ribbon-cutting ceremony and first-day deals for consumers. While its parent company Amazon has acknowledged the slowing of opening more Amazon Fresh stores in order to re-evaluate its concept’s economics, the strategy behind Whole Foods' growth has not changed, as it sees continued success.

Related:Whole Foods closes flagship San Francisco store due to employee safety concerns