New coffee shop downtown, Trader Joe’s for Short Pump
Saxbys, a chain coffee shop, has opened a franchise in downtown Richmond at Belvidere and Franklin. They’re hoping to capture some of the VCU market, according to yesterday’s TD article. There’s already stiff coffee shop competition around VCU’s neighborhood: Common Groundz, Crossroads (formerly World Cup), Harrison St., Common Cup, Starbucks, and probably one or two more I’m forgetting.
They’re also across Belvidere from most of the VCU campus, which is both a physical and a psychological barrier. Of course, VCU’s campus just moved east across Belvidere a block south, so perhaps that won’t be an issue.
And for you bargain hunters, while walking by today I noticed a banner advertising that if you buy a $10 gift card, they’ll add $10 to it for a limited time.
And, as reported elsewhere in the blogosphere (RVA Foodie being the first), Trader Joe’s may be coming to Richmond. The TD confirms:
The California-based chain is close to signing a deal to put a store in the Short Pump Station shopping center…
January 29, 2008 at 10:34 am
Trader Joe’s would be great to have downtown/near downtown… They typically need about 10-15k sqaure feet.
January 29, 2008 at 10:45 am
I have a small business on East Main, so it’s always nice to see another business coming to the “other side” of Belvidere. We just recently visited another new establishment further downtown on Main Street; Cafe Rustica is a small place on Main & 4th for wine/cheese or full out dining, run by the former chef of Ave. 805. It was delicious! There are still quite a number of empty properties on East Main and Grace streets. But I hope it will only be a matter of time before we see more small businesses downtown. It’s the small places that add flavor to the city, and they are a good complement to plans for bigger projects like condos and hotels.
January 29, 2008 at 3:11 pm
AWESOME!!! I’m happy to see the TD confirm this rumor about Trader Joes.
January 29, 2008 at 3:52 pm
I’ve heard lots of great things about Trader Joes!!! Hope everything works out.
January 30, 2008 at 9:57 am
Paul, what are your sources about a tower on grace & belvidere. I’ve heard rumors, but nothing concrete (ha ha).
January 30, 2008 at 10:37 am
It was reported on in the paper about a month ago. The folks that own the gas station (BP) are proposing to replace it with a 10? story apartment building with first floor retail and an uppy’s. the number of pumps would be reduced to 4 and would be adjacent to the building. The building would sit at the corner of Grace and Belvidere.
January 30, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Thanks Pics, couldn’t have said it better. He’s exactly right. I’ve heard nothing further, but with the hot condo and apartment market around VCU, I’m hopeful. The current BP is a dreadful place.
Just picked up on the rumor mill, Trader Joe’s is considering a downtown location also. No specifics, but I’ll work my sources.
January 31, 2008 at 5:28 am
Here’s a vote for Trader Joe’s downtown! With all of the current and future condos sprouting up downtown, it sure seems like there would be enough people to support it. I don’t know if there is a place to accomodate it, but as long as I’m dreaming, somewhere near the 17th street farmer’s market would be great. How cool would it be to hit TJ’s for their goodies, and then pick up a bag full of fresh veggies at the farmer’s market from the local CSA?
January 31, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I’ve also heard a suggestion of enclosing the 17th St market to make it a year round market. There would be apartments on top or maybe offices and shops. The first floor would consist of stalls that could open to the outside in nice weather or just the inside on cold rainy days. I like the idea, but it’s political and blogging dynamite in this town to mess with tradition, no matter how badly its failing.
I’ve heard nothing about this in the official or unofficial press, just discussion among some vendors.