No Trader Joe's in Richmond due to "politics"?

[vademocrat]

Last weekend, I made the drive to Newport News to Trader Joe's (a California-based grocery store chain that is unlike any other store I've shopped in). One of the few things I've missed since moving to Richmond from NoVA 2 1/2 yrs ago...
I spoke with several of the floor staff who all enthusiastically said they figured Richmond would be getting it's own TJ's since about half of their customers were coming from there.

But when I asked one of the managers she said it would never happen, that Richmond won't get a TJ's. When I asked why, she said "local politics". When I tried to get more info she shook her head and said that's all she would say.

Does anyone have insight about what "local politics" it might be? All I can think is that a place like Elwood Thompson's might be concerned over competition but do they have enough clout to keep a national chain out? :shrug: :shrug:

[rainy]

1. I was told the one in NPN was suppose to be in Va. Beach

but that land deals fell through so they had to go there. The staff there said that Va. Beach would have one by Jan. 2007.

[vademocrat]

2. I'd heard that too - & that TJ's wants to expand in the region -

But no plans for a store in Richmond - I find that odd because they'd do well here...

[abluelady]

3. No proof or link but I heard

the Ukrops family is keeping them out. A new grocery did just open here, though, which is supposed to be good. Can't think of its name and haven't gotten there yet--sure hope their prices and products are as good as Trader Joe's.

[vademocrat]

4. Ukrops makes sense - hadn't thought of them -

The new grocery store is Fresh Market - I haven't checked it out either even though I live 5 minutes away! They're on Parham Rd. near Regency Mall - Looks interesting: http://www.freshmarket.com/index.htm

Thanks for the info - I bet it's Ukrops.

[abluelady]

5. I'm 5 minutes away, too

And hope to get there this week!

[underpants]

6. I posted about the Fresh Market last week

some of our fellow DU'ers seem to think that only the "super rich" can afford it.

They had great opening weekend deals but I have heard that they can be a bit pricey.

[vademocrat]

9. Have you been there yet?

Anytime, I see the words "fresh" & "butcher" I think $$$! It can definitely be worth it for specialty items or special occasion.

[underpants]

10. No but my wife loved it

It was last weekend. I was passing by it (used to be a Mattress store I think) and saw the parking lot was FULL. I told her about it and she went and LOVED it. THe quality is what got her.

An actual butcher is something rare these days although you can foster a relationship with your local supermarket guys but mostly no.

We have only gone a couple of times but the location of Fresh Market means that Tom Leonard's is out of the loop I guess.

[vademocrat]

16. I'll have to check it out - I've been by a couple of times also

and it's been too crowded for my tastes. It was Saxon Shoes (they've moved to Short Pump) - the mattress store is still there, I think.

When I was first on my own & would call my mom with beef questions, she'd say "just ask the butcher" or "ask the butcher to give you this cut of meat". She didn't understand that the people I dealt with didn't know & didn't care!

[underpants]

7. I don't know if Ukrops CAN keep them out

but if they could they would.

Hell they got a Stern thrown off the damned radio for crying out loud.

You should know that Richmond, at least a few years ago, as the "grocery battlefield". What is now the Kroger in Carytown (Richmond) was a Hannaford Brothers and before that some other national chain.

See no one in the corporate offices can make since as to why Ukrops is so popular. Higher price, low selection, crowded stores, etc. Ukrops goes against every standard model. They fail to see the absolute loyalty of the community (much of it well founded) and the local hometown ownership element...plus the number of families who I SWEAR shop there hoping their daughter will meet one of the Ukrops boys ("You just HAVE TO date him"-a line I actually heard once).

None of the numbers add up so everyone thinks they can get some market share in Richmond. They are often wrong.

[vademocrat]

8. Before I lived here I loved Ukrops -

Whenever I'd visit friends or family, I'd go to Ukrops & rave about the fresh items, friendly service, etc. Well after about a month of living down here, I realized that they didn't carry a good variety of things I buy and that my grocery bill had increased dramatically. I rarely shop there anymore but can understand the "local" flavor. You're right about the community loyalty - I've met several people who won't even consider anywhere else - they've always shopped there and that's that.

I still think Trader Joe's could do well without hurting Ukrops. After all, in Nova they went from 1 store to 6-8 stores in less than 5 years but Safeway, Giant, Fresh Fields are all still going strong.

[underpants]

11. Tom Leonard's

there is already a FRESH type place in the Short Pump area but I am sure that the market surveys were done and such or they wouldn't be here.

Funny how the Fresh Market is basically right behind a Krogers-you can cut through that shopping center to get to it.

Monday night at the Carytown Ukrops used to be THE singles spot for certain crowds. A friend was dating someone in the private school crowd and I went and checked it out once....lots of talent on display. I wonder if it still the big deal it was.

[abluelady]

12. I HATE DRIVING IN THAT PART OF TOWN

I went to Tom Leonards once and liked it, but I will definitely shopthe new Fresh Market--for location alone.

[underpants]

13. Just wait until they build those towers out there

See all these years you, I, and everyone have been wondering what those people in that White House were waiting on....well now we know.

Seriously just wait until those things go up. Henrico and VDOT can say they are doing all the planning they want that place is going to be a wreck (literally). All the home owners out there were PO'ed at the County meeting and the county basically told them to pipe down there are PEOPLE BIGGER THAN YOU who want this to happen.

[abluelady]

14. Where are all the people coming from?

I am at home during the day and do all my shopping week days. The stores are empty. Are they making enough dollars nights and weekends to stay open? What is going to happen to all the older parts of Richmond> It seems to me we should be remodeling rather thna building more so far outside the city.

[underpants]

15. Oh no you didn't hint at SPRAWL did you?

No no that.

On the local braintrust information vehicle (WRVA radio) the discussion about the towers asked whether the people of Short Pump would put up with sprawl......seriously they didn't get that Short Pump IS sprawl. I was laughing out loud. Later that night the same thing was mentioned on the Fox News at 10 that I just happened to be watching. I am not kidding about his either.

[vademocrat]

17. I'm a NOVA refugee - worked in Tyson's Corner -

transferred down with my company out in Short Pump in 2003. Everyone thought I was crazy when I said that Henrico was making all the same mistakes Fairfax made with Tysons. The reaction was "it'll never happen here!"

I'm with you, bluelady, I avoid that place like the plague!

[LostinVA]

18. ARRRGGHH! I got to Richmond all the time! This would be great!

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

19. In downtown, there's "The Market" which is owned by Farm Fresh.

I think it's the only Farm Fresh in town. It's a great store.

[vademocrat]

20. That's good to know - I didn't know there was a Farm Fresh here -

Have you shopped at a Trader Joes before? It's a unique experience. If you haven't shopped at one, it's worth the trip to Newport News to check it out.

[Eurobabe]

21. Charlottesville would probably get TJs before Richmond

[vademocrat]

22. I think you're right - although VA Beach is getting the next one -

according to employees at the Newport News store, that's already a done deal & should be open by the end of 2006.

C-ville would work for me - it's not a bad drive from Richmond...

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

23. I was just remarking in a separate post about how I'd like to see

more variety in grocery stores. My parents in Newport News don't understand how Ukrop's has such a strong pull here and how there are so few choices in where to shop for food. We went to Kroger the other week since it was a Sunday and walked right out (nasty selection (as in moldy) of produce), limited meat, etc.). I need to make a point of checking out the Fresh Market store. Food Lion pissed me off (long story), so I don't go there anymore. Refuse to spend a penny at Walmart.