Penzeys Spices

[Cook&Bottlewasher]

Surprisingly or not surprisingly, I find some great deals on spices at Cost Plus World Market. I've been able to find good saffron, cardamom seeds, dried chiles, bay leaves, etc. there at decent prices. I'm always surprised that they carry stuff like Vegemite, Marmite, european mustards and Indian pickles, seasoning such as thai curry pastes and Maggi, in addition to japanese nori and wasabi. The only downside is that they're not always well-stocked with the stuff.

Speaking of Penzey's......Which is the ONLY Place to buy spices.........................I was told yesterday when I called Penzeys to ask about a non-spice related matter, that they would be opening a store in Alexandria,probably near King Street Metro, probably by fall.

Oh,yeah! Spice time!!!! I am from the great birthplace of Penzeys and I can testify to the wonders of shopping in the store.

[zoramargolis]

Remember? Penzey's had a "contest" a couple of years ago, where people sent in postcards requesting a store in their community--all of us on the local food boards participated. The city which submitted the most cards supposedly won. WDC was a loser at that time, but perhaps Penzey's has had second thoughts about us after learning about the success of Wegman's stores and Whole Foods stores in this area.

[shogun]

Or they're working their way down the list based on number of respondants in each city, or at least taking it into account. Will be nice not to have to run spice from back home in Norwalk.

[goldenticket]

Great news! After visiting a Penzeys store in Minneapolis a few months back, I had thought it would be a great addition to the area. I even checked out their website to see what info I could find about franchise opportunities. Alas, they don't do franchises...but I'm still glad they're coming here (if it's true) ! Things are looking up in Old Town, food-wise .

[Principia]

Remember? Penzey's had a "contest" a couple of years ago, where people sent in postcards requesting a store in their community--all of us on the local food boards participated. The city which submitted the most cards supposedly won. WDC was a loser at that time, but perhaps Penzey's has had second thoughts about us after learning about the success of Wegman's stores and Whole Foods stores in this area.

They did indeed say at the time that all the city areas in the top 10 or so would looked at very closely.

For my part I put in a postcard for anywhere in the DC area (so as not to split my vote), but suggested Alexandria, Arlington or Bethesda as probably the best places to drop what would hopefully be their first one in the area.

[Scott Johnston]

Any one know anything else about this? There recent catalog sited that they were going to open TWO stores in the DC area very soon

[TedE]

Any one know anything else about this? There recent catalog sited that they were going to open TWO stores in the DC area very soon

Did they provide any more specific geographical details than "DC area x 2"?

[ManekiNeko]

Did they provide any more specific geographical details than "DC area x 2"?

Nope. Here is the sentence, verbatim,

"We are also fairly optimistic about a spot in Cleveland and two locations in the DC area, one in Virginia and the other in Maryland."

Mike, who just happens to have the recent catalog at his desk at work...

[Scott Johnston]

Now that's service!

Nope. Here is the sentence, verbatim,

"We are also fairly optimistic about a spot in Cleveland and two locations in the DC area, one in Virginia and the other in Maryland."

Mike, who just happens to have the recent catalog at his desk at work...

[ManekiNeko]

Now that's service!

I just hope they are Metro-accessible (not necessary, though). I lived about 6 blocks away from the store in St. Paul and let me tell you walking into a Penzey's brick and mortar store is pure hedonistic bliss. Hardcore olfactory food porn. I was kind of surprised DC didn't win the contest, but with three states and multiple entries from each area we probably diluted our votes as Principia alludes.

[plunk]

Not sure if this is it, but one of the Old Town t-shirt/ice cream/snow globe stores closed abruptly last week. There is paper on the windows and the posted permits say something about a "gourmet" store. I believe its at King and Alfred, on the Eammon's side of the street.

[monavano]

I passed that the other day. It's across from Majestic and it did say it was "Old Town Gourmet".

[Ilaine]

I lived about 6 blocks away from the store in St. Paul and let me tell you walking into a Penzey's brick and mortar store is pure hedonistic bliss.

Very nice to smell what you're buying before you buy it. Not the actual jar, of course, but the sample jar. Finally understood the difference between the cinnamons. Words don't do it justice.

[Scott Johnston]

I sent a email off to Penzey's today asking for more info and inviting their local managers and employees to join the board. Will let you know if they respond.

Scott

[smokey]

Woo-hoo! Thanks for sending them an email, Scott (and don't forget we MD-residing folks who want reconnaisance on the location of *our* Penzeys!)

[Jacques Gastreaux]

Not sure if this is it, but one of the Old Town t-shirt/ice cream/snow globe stores closed abruptly last week. There is paper on the windows and the posted permits say something about a "gourmet" store. I believe its at King and Alfred, on the Eammon's side of the street.

Did you happen to catch who it was that obtained the permit?

[plunk]

Did you happen to catch who it was that obtained the permit?

No. I just remember that it said something about "gourmet." Can't recall if Penzey's name appeared on it - sorry. I may be by this afternoon and will give a closer look.

[Scott Johnston]

My reply from Penzey's

Hi Scott,

Thank you for taking the time to write. I took it upon myself to take a

quick peek at http://www.donrockwell.com and I'm impressed with what I saw.

I know I'll probably take a better look when I'm off the clock and at home.

Our location in Alexandria fell through, but we are still scouting the area

for the next "great spot". Right now we have our eyes on two locations that

look very promising in the D.C. area. We hoping we can get those settled and

open by Spring 2007. We just opened a new store this past weekend in Arvada,

CO and will have a new store open in Huntington Station, NY by the end of

the year. You're welcome to call and check in every so often for updates on

upcoming Penzeys locations. 1-800-741-7787

Thanks again for your email. Have a wonderful afternoon!

[MsDiPesto]

That's great news to hear. I Just ordered a new supply of can't do without items from Penzeys last night (including their fantastic cinnamon). Open near my house, pleeeeeassseee!

[Ilaine]

Most recent Penzey's catalogue says Rockville and Falls Church are sites of future DC locations. See p. 3, Christmas catalogue.

Kicking myself in the rear because I just drove through Birmingham on Friday and had no idea there was a Penzey's there.

Guess we will just have to check out the Philly store, that seems to be the closest now.

[Scott Johnston]

Falls Church! Woo Who! Might mean Tyson's

Most recent Penzey's catalogue says Rockville and Falls Church are sites of future DC locations. See p. 3, Christmas catalogue.

Kicking myself in the rear because I just drove through Birmingham on Friday and had no idea there was a Penzey's there.

Guess we will just have to check out the Philly store, that seems to be the closest now.

[MsDiPesto]

I saw that about Falls Church being one of the new locations, looks like Im getting my wish for a Penzey's in my backyard.

[cjsadler]

Very nice to smell what you're buying before you buy it. Not the actual jar, of course, but the sample jar. Finally understood the difference between the cinnamons. Words don't do it justice.

I just visited one in Houston. First time I've been to a Penzey's store, and you're right-- being able to smell all the different spices is great. You don't get that with mail order. Many things I wouldn't ordinarily purchase (like spice blends) smelled incredible and had me thinking about buying and using them.

[ManekiNeko]

Most recent Penzey's catalogue says Rockville and Falls Church are sites of future DC locations. See p. 3, Christmas catalogue.

The Winter 2007 page 3 screed provides addresses:

1048 Rockville Pike in Rockville

513 W. Broad Street in Falls Church (most decidedly not Tysons)

ETA for both was listed as "Spring"

Edited to add "W." to the FC address

[Scott Johnston]

I think that is across from Panera Bread . Oh boy in my backyard practically!

http://www.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&oe...0Church%2C%20va

The Winter 2007 page 3 screed provides addresses:

1048 Rockville Pike in Rockville

513 Broad Street in Falls Church (most decidedly not Tysons)

ETA for both was listed as "Spring"

[DanielK]

Looks like the Rockville one will be in the same shopping center as Sam Woo.

[Scott Johnston]

Looks like we are getting closer. The store in Falls Church is still be built out. Will keep everyone posted.

-----Original Message-----

Hello Scott, At this time I do not have exact store opening dates. It should be mid to late April. You may contact us in 2-3 weeks for more info. Thanks for your interest. Lani

To:

customerservice@penzeys.com

Subject:

Any more word on when the two stores in the DC area will open? (Rockville and Falls Church)

[Scott Johnston]

Whan I had lunch at Sam Woo today, I noticed the Penzey sign banner up. The site is mostly built out awaiting the fixtures.

Looks like the Rockville one will be in the same shopping center as Sam Woo.

[cleohanlon]

Penzeys will be opening in Rockville on April 19 (Thursday) or Friday(April 20)

[ol_ironstomach]

Thanks for the update, and welcome to the company of Rockvillwellians!

[Heather]

Penzeys will be opening in Rockville on April 19 (Thursday) or Friday(April 20)

That is excellent news!

And welcome to DR.com

[Scott Johnston]

JPW and I stopped by the Rockville location today. People were moving boxes and wooden crates from a large moving van. They all indicated that Friday April 20th should be opening day. I am not sure if they will have any opening specials, but the existence of a great spice house in DC is a major event.

[cleohanlon]

Update on Penzeys. If the Fire Inspector completes his inspection today, it will be open tomorrow, Thursday. HOWEVER -- thank you Montgomery County -- If he doesn't get to it today, it will be at least next Tuesday....

[Scott Johnston]

Can you post the hours for weekdays and weekends? Any opening specials?

Update on Penzeys. If the Fire Inspector completes his inspection today, it will be open tomorrow, Thursday. HOWEVER -- thank you Montgomery County -- If he doesn't get to it today, it will be at least next Tuesday....

[cleohanlon]

Can you post the hours for weekdays and weekends? Any opening specials?

10-6, don't know about Sunday yet.

[cleohanlon]

Penzey won't open until next Monday or Tuesday. The County Fire Inspector isn't available until then. The hours will be 10-6 M-Sat and 11-5 on Sunday.

[Scott Johnston]

Penzey's is sorta open!

I stopped by at noon today and the store was opened for "training". I walked around and bought 1/2 a dozen spices. The store is modeled after the catalog. Every spice is there in plastic containers, glass jars and bulk bags. Each spice is also available to sniff and taste (at least I did with the scezwan peppercorns). All of the blends are there as well. If you are on their catalog list, watch out for a promotion flyer coming your way.

[cleohanlon]

It's now officially open at 1048 Rockville Pike in Rockville, left side (East)of RVP, one block below (south) of Wooton Pkwy.

Phone 301-738-8707. Hours are 10-6 M-Sat, 11-5 on Sunday. Postcard announcements are going out to all catalog subscribers.

[Ilaine]

I drove by the Falls Church site yesterday. The building, an upscale mixed use building, retail at street level, pricey ($500K - $1 million plus) condos above, is very much under construction, little more than a frame now.

Given the state of the real estate market now, if the builders are expecting to finance construction from condo buyers, Virginia Penzey fans may be in for a long wait.

[Ilaine]

Reporting back from Penzey's in Rockville. Yes, it's a long drive from Fairfax/Burke, but near Joe's Noodle and the ethnic groceries in the same little strip as Joe's, so hit them first, then Penzey's. ("Near" is in the sense of driving all the way from Fairfax/Burke, if you're walking it's not all that near.) (Fresh green almonds at the Persian grocery but that's another story.)

Saw one friendly, smiling Rockweiller face there but can't remember her alias.

The store seems larger and the space more pleasant then the only other Penzey's we've visited, in Jacksonville.

Same basic layout, though. Herbs are grouped together, and then arranged in alphabetical order. Same for spices, and same for baking goods. There is also a gift box section, and supplies for making your own gift boxes.

Cinnamon has its own little area for all the different cinnamons. Chili makings, that is to say, chili peppers and chili powders, also has its own area.

Everything but the extracts has a largish demonstration jar you can open and sniff. The extracts are in a flask, but you can open that and sniff them, too. I finally wore out my sniffer, and couldn't really smell the more delicate aromas after a few dozen sniffs, but could still smell the strong ones.

We walked around, sniffing everything, and adding treats to the basket, until finally I was worried that we were going over the $100 I had budgeted for the occasion. But, a pleasant surprise, 16 jars of this and that came to only $50! And they threw in a small jar of Chinese cinnamon as a grand opening gift, if you bring in your postcard. We forgot the postcard but they gave us the cinnamon anyway.

The prices are reasonable, the staff knowledgeable, because they were hired from a pool of regular Penzey buyers who received a postcard asking them if they wanted a job. So they're not only knowledgeable, they're loyal and enthusiastic.

I second the complaint that the hours should be longer, at least on the weekends. Everybody in our house has a full time job and a long commute, so we've only got the weekends for places that close early.

OTOH Rockville Pike is strip mall central, so if you are going to make a strip mall run anyway, you can pack in a lot of errand running and shopping, for example, there is a large Whole Foods almost across the street, nearby a Container Store, Staples, BB&B, Borders, etc., etc., etc.

Not Metro friendly, though. Can't have everything.

Don't forget your postcard.

[DanielK]

Not Metro friendly, though.

I agree that it's not close walking distance to a Metro station. 1.5 miles south of Rockville station, 1 mile north of Twinbrook. However, there probably isn't an hour they're open when there isn't a bus (Metrobus or Ride-On) going every 3 minutes up or down the Pike.

[Sthitch]

I wish they had a better chili selection, they only have a few of what are offered in the catalog.

The nice person who was rang-up my purchases told me on Saturday that the Falls Church store will open before July.

[mktye]

I drove by the Falls Church site yesterday. The building, an upscale mixed use building, retail at street level, pricey ($500K - $1 million plus) condos above, is very much under construction, little more than a frame now.

Given the state of the real estate market now, if the builders are expecting to finance construction from condo buyers, Virginia Penzey fans may be in for a long wait.

Received a postcard in the mail today that the Falls Church Penzeys will be "Opening Soon".

Info:

513 West Broad Street

Falls Church

800-741-7787

Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun 11-5 (same hours as Rockville location)

[Pat]

I agree that it's not close walking distance to a Metro station. 1.5 miles south of Rockville station, 1 mile north of Twinbrook. However, there probably isn't an hour they're open when there isn't a bus (Metrobus or Ride-On) going every 3 minutes up or down the Pike.

OK, this is the info I was looking for. I hate the drive to Rockville, so I have not been out there. I only saw that it was not close to metro before and didn't check more closely. A mile or mile and a half is nothing. I can walk that easily. I have to check my list, but everything should be comfortably carried in a backpack. Thanks (well, kind of belated )

[ol_ironstomach]

A few observations to add to Ilaine's excellent description.

In the PRO column: Bulk pricing is taken at the register, so if you pick up four 4 oz bulk bags, you pay the 16 oz unit price. Obviously this is great for freshness compared to buying a single bigger bag. They carry a specially selected grade of Indian peppercorns that are extra potent, and obviously spicier than their "normal" tellicherrys. Interesting soft-bark cinnamon. Very friendly staff.

In the CON column: Nothing is freshness-dated! Seems like about half the store is dedicated to ready-to-use herb or spice blends. Selection of pure spices is good, but not exceptional. No Tahitian vanilla. Very few salts. Nothing ground-to-order in the store. Surprisingly few accoutrements...almost no grinders, racks, etc. Just empty spice bottles. Closes at 6 pm during the week.

[cleohanlon]

A few observations to add to Ilaine's excellent description.

In the PRO column: Bulk pricing is taken at the register, so if you pick up four 4 oz bulk bags, you pay the 16 oz unit price. Obviously this is great for freshness compared to buying a single bigger bag. They carry a specially selected grade of Indian peppercorns that are extra potent, and obviously spicier than their "normal" tellicherrys. Interesting soft-bark cinnamon. Very friendly staff.

In the CON column: Nothing is freshness-dated! Seems like about half the store is dedicated to ready-to-use herb or spice blends. Selection of pure spices is good, but not exceptional. No Tahitian vanilla. Very few salts. Nothing ground-to-order in the store. Surprisingly few accoutrements...almost no grinders, racks, etc. Just empty spice bottles. Closes at 6 pm during the week.

The Penzey staff refreshes their entire stock every 3 weeks. The spices are prepared (ground/mixed, etc.) in their factory in Milwaukee and shipped twice weekly to the stores. So, essentially, the day you buy the spice is quite close to the 'birth date' and the freshness clock is just beginning to tick.

[Pool Boy]

Went there for the first time a few weekends ago. Nice store. Really disappointed in the salts selection, but everything else was pretty good. It is easy to do a lot of damage to your wallet there, though.

[Pat]

Just got back from Penzey's. My neighbor--and fellow Penzey's aficionado--drove us to Rockville, which worked out nicely . I got everything on my list (and I took the list!), plus a few things I almost put on the list but didn't, and a bunch of other stuff . I came in 78 cents under my budgeted limit, which sounds good except that I set the budget at what I thought was an artificially high level, based on what I usually spend via mail order. Of course, I didn't have to pay for shipping this way .

I bought some things in bags but mostly bought jars. I tried for a while refilling jars from bulk bags, but that hasn't worked too well for me. It's more expensive (and seems silly) to buy things in jars when the bags are cheaper, but I have found that I have trouble getting the bags closed again. When I store them away, then I can't remember what I have and have to search through everything to find them. When I go to refill jars, I also manage to spill a fair amount .

Now I've got to rearrange my spice drawers to put the new stuff away. That's the kind of cleaning and organizing I actually enjoy!

[ScotteeM]

Any word on the Falls Church location?

[Ilaine]

Any word on the Falls Church location?

I drove past the building yesterday, which looks semi-finished but very much unoccupied.