481 replies to this topic

[baobabs727]

rusthebuss, on Mar 29 2005, 10:44 AM, said:

I don't I think we need them we have something better: Farm Fresh, I don't think we need someone else's chains here. We need ones that were started in the area.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not all Farm Fresh's are created equal. Some are nice, and some not so nice. Ukrop's is consistently great. Plus, competition will only make Farm Fresh and the rest of the sorry gang that much better--or else! Don't get me wrong, I'm all for supporting locally-owned stores, but I also want superior quality and value. The Hampton Roads consumer deserves nothing less.

[rusthebuss]

I don't like Ukrop's and Ukrop's doesn't go in some of the neighborhoods that Farm Fresh is in either. Some of the buildings that Farm Fresh is in were built in the 60's like Ward's Corner. Keep it local we have our own flavor

[wrldcoupe4]

rusthebuss, on Apr 1 2005, 10:57 AM, said:

I don't like Ukrop's and Ukrop's doesn't go in some of the neighborhoods that Farm Fresh is in either. Some of the buildings that Farm Fresh is in were built in the 60's like Ward's Corner. Keep it local we have our own flavor

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Rusthebuss- I respect the fact that you support a local company. I think that is very important especially with the rise of the dark side: super wal-mart. But just out of curiousity, what is it about Ukrop's that you don't like? There are several Ukrop's that are still currently in use that were built in the 60's and early 70's.

[rusthebuss]

I lived up there and just don't like the flavor of the area and the grocery store. Don't take it personal. I lived up there and didn't get along with to many people up there but i don't hate Richmond area. So i'm just expressing my opinion. I also think we don't need another metro areas grocery store here. I want this area to be orginal. Everyone from Richmond please do not be offended by this i'm just expressing my opinion. I know alot of richmonders talked bad about this area when i stayed up there.

Edited by rusthebuss, 01 April 2005 - 02:31 PM.

[wrldcoupe4]

rusthebuss, on Apr 1 2005, 03:12 PM, said:

I lived up there and just don't like the flavor of the area and the grocery store. Don't take it personal. I lived up there and didn't get along with to many people up there but i don't hate Richmond area. So i'm just expressing my opinion. I also think we don't need another metro areas grocery store here. I want this area to be orginal. Everyone from Richmond please do not be offended by this i'm just expressing my opinion. I know alot of richmonders talked bad about this area when i stayed up there.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't take offense but I'm sorry you had a less than stellar experience up in the 804. And although many people here love shopping at ukrop's, not everyone here likes Ukrop's. Otherwise their market share wouldn't be 40%, it would be 100%. Originality is definitely a good thing and I think it has become even more important. Nowadays, you can go from suburban area X to suburban area Y and not even notice a difference. If my "Richmond" opinion counts for anything, I can't really think of anything bad about your area that we don't have bad here. Except for that damn tunnel traffic. Or all those Canadians vacationing at VA beach . Other than that, I'd say your area is if anything, underutilized, and has the potential to become much greater than it already is. IMO, we are your friends to the west, so I apologize for your poor experiences when you were up here.

[rusthebuss]

No problem, the real problem i have is the political problem with richmond which has nothing to do with the actual city. Richmond area is alot different from this area. The culture is alot different, i don't know if its the ocean flavor or what. I don't like the issues of roads being built there that is not needed. Richmond doesn't have bad traffic and yet they still build roads there that are not traveled very much like 185. But when this area needs something the money is all the sudden not available, but they sure like taking tax revenue from the area.

[JPN0731]

Personally I am not a fan of Ukrop's because I do not like businesses that push moral values on people. Having said that though, I think that any new store that opens in our area would be a welcomed addition to Food Lion, Wal Mart and the Commissary. Food Lion is probably the worst grocery chain I have ever seen in this country besides Farmer Jack which thankfully went belly up.

As for civic pride, Farm Fresh is owned by Supervalu now, so it is part of the same chain that owns Shoppers in the DC area among others. What I do wish is that we had Safeway in this area. I heard that the GW Marketplace in Ghent was once one... does anyone know when they left the area? And that goes for Giant as well... Just curious.

[rusthebuss]

The Safeways we had hear years back where all ghetto and closed down.

[wrldcoupe4]

JPN0731, on Apr 3 2005, 05:52 PM, said:

Personally I am not a fan of Ukrop's because I do not like businesses that push moral values on people.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just out of curiousity, how do they do that?

[VAGATOR]

JPN0731, on Apr 3 2005, 06:52 PM, said:

I heard that the GW Marketplace in Ghent was once one... does anyone know when they left the area?  And that goes for Giant as well... Just curious.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's still there. As for Food Lion, I see the Wal-Mart Supercenters putting them out of business in the near future.

[baobabs727]

wrldcoupe4, on Apr 3 2005, 09:02 PM, said:

Personally I am not a fan of Ukrop's because I do not like businesses that push moral values on people.

Just out of curiousity, how do they do that?......

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Forcing morality on the masses? Yes, how exactly does Ukrops do that? The Ukrop family are wonderfully philanthropic. If they did come to Hampton Roads, I would support their store because they would support the community. You don't have anything against philanthropy, do you? Chik fil-a closes on Sundays. Do you object to that? I think it's great for their employees and their families, no matter their reasoning.

Clearly, we should embrace change in local retail--regardless of the pedigree or hometown of the "invading" corporation--if it all translates into superior selection, better value and expanded opportunities for development/redevelopment in the Hampton Roads community.

[JPN0731]

I never said that they were forcing anyone to do anything. They have a tiny social agenda which is not selling alcohol. I feel the same about that as I do with another huge retailer that does not sell CDs that they think are "bad"... That doesn't mean I hate the Ukrops or that I would never shop in the store if it were near my house. I just wouldn't buy beer there, especially on Sundays


However, the Ukrop family shares a lot with their employees and community as well. Food Lion and WM certainly do not give their employees such benefits, days off or sometimes in the case of WM pay them when they are working. So there is good and bad in all. Looking at it realitically, I would actualy be more prone to shop at Ukrop's because they are a VA store and not owned by some multi-national conglomerate like Food Lion (Delhaize) or Farm Fresh (Supervalu). That is the beauty of dissent.

[JPN0731]

VAGATOR, on Apr 3 2005, 08:07 PM, said:

It's still there. As for Food Lion, I see the Wal-Mart Supercenters putting them out of business in the near future.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No I meant that the GW Marketplace was a Safeway. I know it's there as the GW. And wal-Mart putting them out of business? I dunno because there are a lot of people in Park Place who walk/ride busses and depend on that store. I don't see how the Super Wal Mart at the Crossroads area will have much impact on them. Now the Kroger and FF at Wards Corner... they might be getting their last rites when it opens. And I'd place my bets on the Kroger being gone if something does not happen at the Ames sopt soon...

[wrldcoupe4]

I just wanted to mention something about the Ukrop's, having worked there. A lot of people think they are some kind of super conservative southern baptists that are opposed to drinking alcohol in any way. It's not true. From my understanding, when Joe Ukrop opened up his market on Hull st. in 1937, he didnt sell alcohol. His sons now run the company and because of tradition, do not sell alcohol today. It clearly hasn't hurt their business. A while back there were rumors witihin the company that they were considering offering a selection of dinner wines. I don't know if that will ever happen though. My guess it not anytime soon. It clearly hasn't hurt their business.

[vdogg]

This thread has been merged with Hampton Roads Malls and shopping centers

[lammius]

I'd like to see the row of Barnes & Noble, Bed Bath and Beyond, etc. gobbled up too.

[urbanvb]

lammius, on May 9 2005, 09:31 PM, said:

I'd like to see the row of Barnes & Noble, Bed Bath and Beyond, etc. gobbled up too.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They are being looked at for future development as well. Hopefully we can keep the Barnes and Noble and a nice music store - maybe as mixed use projects.

[urbanvb]

Speaking of which I really am curious if B&N might relocate to the TC area..

[JPN0731]

guynvb, on May 9 2005, 08:34 PM, said:

Speaking of which I really am curious if B&N might relocate to the TC area.. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well I heard from someone (here we go, right?) a while ago that B&N was supposed to relocate in the TC and that Old Navy would take up their store... Of course that could have been the plan before 9/11 but the Pembroke B&N is the busiest, most crowded and smallest one in the area. The girl that told me that worked at Old Navy but she has moved on so I don't know...

I did hear from another girl that I know that Target has plans to build three more stores in the area, one being in Pembroke. We will have to see...

[urbanvb]

JPN0731, on May 10 2005, 02:32 PM, said:

Well I heard from someone (here we go, right?) a while ago that B&N was supposed to relocate in the TC and that Old Navy would take up their store... Of course that could have been the plan before 9/11 but the Pembroke B&N is the busiest, most crowded and smallest one in the area.  The girl that told me that worked at Old Navy but she has moved on so I don't know...

I did hear from another girl that I know that Target has plans to build three more stores in the area, one being in Pembroke.  We will have to see...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I also heard that about B&N moving but I don't know. It is the busiest around and I do hope they do get a larger store. Trying to find a seat in the cafe sometimes takes a while. I am just waiting to hear the Target announcement. That is great news for Pembroke.