Richmonders: does it disappoint you that there are only really

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

three choices of groceries stores in which to shop in this area (Kroger, Ukrop's and Food Lion)? My parents are in Newport News, and they have Trader Joe's, Harris Teeter, Kroger, Food Lion, Farm Fresh...

Hubby and I attempted to go grocery shopping tonite at the Kroger on Huguenot Rd. Big mistake! The produce dept. was rank, man. There was fuzzy mold on some of the strawberry in the few containers left, the potatoes looked like crap; they had no French or Italian bread left in the bakery, they only had bags of onions to sell (not single onions), and the selection of meat was pathetic.

Is it because Ukrop's practically owns Richmond why there are so few choices? I was pissed we wasted our time and not to mention gas. We wound up leaving (after I complained to the customer service dept.). Guess we're off to Ukrop's tomorrow after work. Ugh.

[abluelady]

1. LOL

I'm a Ukrops shopper and didn't even realize we have three choices. There are so many bigger disappointments to me living in Richmond that the grocery store is not one I think about! I am more upset that Eric Cantor has millions of dollars to buy his seat in congress.

We do have a new Fresh Market now and Ellwood and Main has some good stuff too, as well as Tom Leonards. Sorry you had a bad shopping experience yesterday.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

4. I know, in a big picture kind of way, it's not that huge a thing, but

a little competition couldn't hurt.

Speaking of Cantor, there is supposed to be a Dem primary to choose an opponent for his seat.

Haven't heard of Tom Leonards. Where's that?

[Virginian]

2. I used to shop at Winn Dixie in Chester --

When I pointed out to the meat dept guy that there was some out of date meat, he tried to sell it to me at a discount instead of taking it off the shelf. I bought a cheesecake there and was disappointed to find it dried out and cracked. I didn't go back to Winn Dixie after that.

In the DC area, it seems like every other grocery store is Giant, but we do have a variety other than Giant. We still have Safeway.

We have a new chain in Fairfax, Wegmanns out of Rochester, NY. It could give Ukrops some competition in the West End. They seem to have one brand or another of ice cream on sale for $2.00 most weeks. They put out a book of recipes four times a year and have a chef on duty to demonstrate how to cook one of the recipes and samples of it to taste. They also have wine tasting in the wine dept, hot meals, a bakery, a deli and a fresh meat and fish department.

The one thing Ukrops has that I haven't seen in any other store is it's "Dinners for Two." We pick them up every time we are in the Richmond area. I have assembled some from Wegmanns, but I can't keep the price at Ukrops' level.

[Catchawave]

3. I don't think there's a Ukrop's in South Hampton Roads?

I shop Farm Fresh and Food Lion.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

5. No, but would I love a Trader Joe's or Harris Teeter. My parents

in Newport News keep saying how much they love Trader Joe's. I may have to hit it on my next visit down there. Dang!

[Midlodemocrat]

6. The new Kroger over on Hull Street by Commonwealth Center

is pretty good. I rarely shop at Ukrop's because they are overpriced and they suck politically.

I used to shop at Winn Dixie all the time; since they've closed, I occasionally go to Food Lion.

Mostly, I shop at Costco.

[Autobot77]

7. Kroger on Hull and Hicks is pretty good.

Kroger sucks politically also, but at least they have a union shop, unlike most places in Richmond.

[swimboy]

8. welcome to DU, Autobot77!

:hi:

It's great to know there's another Democrat in the area!

[Midlodemocrat]

9. Yeah, that is a great Kroger.

Great international section.

[underpants]

10. Have we forgotten the "Grocery war" of Richmond?

Mid 90's.

What is now the Kroger in Carytown was a Hannafords and before that a.... can't remember what chain but it was another one.

The thing is that no one in the corporate offices can figure it out so they keep trying to take over the Richmond grocery market. They are just SURE they can do it.
The look at the margins being charged here (Ukrop's) and all their business school training tells them that they MUST be able to carve some of that away....nope.

They have no understanding that Ukrop's locally owned advantage is too much. Add to that Ukrop's community involvement, the tradition of generations going to Ukrop's, their hiring of the mental retarded, and let's face it shopping at Ukrop's hoping you (or your daughter) hits it off with one of the Ukrop boys ;-)

;-) as I once was told by someone who was in that circle and who dated a Ukrop once "Look its a Ukrop you HAVE to go out with him" she didn't like him much but hey you have to see what happens...right?

[swimboy]

11. So, did you ever have any luck with one of the Ukrop's boys?

I know I never did. ;(







:P