Richmond-based organic grocer Ellwood Thompson's has not abandoned its plans to open a store at the DCUSA retail complex in Columbia Heights, according to company owner Richard Hood.

Ward 1 D.C. Councilmember Jim Graham told City Paper today that the company had at long last given up the ghost on the planned store, which has been sitting empty ever since Ellwood announced back in April of 2009 that it didn't have the funds to proceed with a build-out. Graham reportedly said the retailer was facing a loss of about $1 million on the deal, and went so far as to offer up a few choice words to describe his disappointment:

"I was the one who sent them there," said Graham, noting that they'd first asked him about the 14th Street location now occupied by Yes! Organic. "Little did I know how conservative, really timid, they would be come...they’re going to pay for this very bad decision."

But in a statement Friday afternoon, Hood maintained that his plans to expand into D.C. have not come to a formal end.

"I don't know why Jim Graham is saying this. We are not in default. We continue to work with the landlord to make this happen," Hood said.

So no definite closure just yet on this odd retail saga, it would seem. Stay tuned, Columbia Heights.