Comments on: More details on Ukrop’s Grace St. store closing

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 19 May 2008 19:11:45 +0000

I know Trader Joe’s was considering a downtown location. Now with Ukrops gone, they have a ready made location complete with parking. I am certain that a new store will go in there, but not sure when. A deal to get a major retailer in there is worth waiting forf I have always though downtown would support a gourmet groocer. There needs to be an alternative to Kroger. I am resigned to shopping there out of necessity, but will spend more time shopping in smaller markets like, Nick’s Produce, locally run convenience storeos and the new dollar tree in the old Firestore building. I also commute once a week out to Big Lots and Tan-A Supermarket.

By: richmondpics

richmondpics — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:38:36 +0000

I think you’ll see something like a CVS and smaller retailers going in…

By: Harry

Harry — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:42:00 +0000

This quadrant has a sorry history regarding grocery stores. Those of us with grey in the temples, remember the grotty Farmer Jack on what became the Lowe’s site — we called it “Farmer Crack” in those days.

The grocery on Grace was at one point a Super Fresh then a Community Pride. But, during the years 1899-1976 that block of Grace-Ryland-Broad-Harrison was St. Luke’s Hospital. Grace Street was a much more dynamic urban section then; something like a smaller Carytown.

But at issue is: with the older folks across the street, and the students nearby–neither group having a substantial discretionary income–what kind of store can go there that will best serve its market, and make enough money to keep the lights on?

My guess is a bare bones chain retailer will move in and, around we’ll go.

The nearby Kroger didn’t help this Ukrop location. Ukrop’s doesn’t sell alcohol that some college students like to buy in great quantities. Kroger doesn’t have that kind of a qualm.

My advice; get a fold- out market cart, and do as Parisians and other urbanites do.

http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=11949&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=294&iSubCat=320&iProductID=11949&searchid=inceptor

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:54:52 +0000

Makes a better grocery store.

http://monroeward.org/2008/04/14/ukrops-grace-street-to-close/

By: Scott Burger

Scott Burger — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:25:22 +0000

Could make a great student rec center location.

Unfortunately, VCU already tearing up Oregon Hill.

By: RVA Foodie

RVA Foodie — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:00:33 +0000

Five years operating at a deficit… that’s surely going to attract a good retailer. Is it too late for Trader Joes to choose downtown over Short Pump? Anything other than Ukrops would make a better downtown destination worth wading into campus.

By: Jon B

Jon B — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:42:33 +0000

BTW, welcome back.

By: Jon

Jon — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:43:38 +0000

Got me.