This time last year, the rumors were just beginning to circulate. Would Ukrop's, the beloved local grocer for generations of Richmonders, sell?
No way. Never. Not Ukrop's, they wouldn't sell, not in this town. That was the general consensus.
By the end of last summer the rumor mill was going crazy. Everyone had heard about a possible sale and there were even whispers of proof. It kept going like that until just before Christmas when we all got the news, "Ukrop's Sold to Giant for $140 Million."
Now the first wave of former Ukrop's stores has reopened as Martin's with the full transition expected to be complete on May 17, 2010, exactly six months to the day of the sale announcement.
Richmond.com headed down for a tour in one of the new Martin's, the grocery store we all once called the Short Pump Ukrop's, and found things were almost exactly the same. (See our Photo Gallery below and the video tour here.)
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The uniforms are different, the sign is very different, the produce section is a bit bigger, and there are a few new items in the bakery and kitchen. Oh yeah, and there's beer. And wine. And you can buy both of those things any day the store is open, including Sundays.
Other than that, almost everything is the same, making the former Ukrop's stores the only Martin's or Giant stores to offer:
- Carryout service for your car, and no tipping either.
- Bag credits, if you bring your own.
- Ukrop's bakery items, like birthday cake, rainbow cookies and Whitehouse rolls
- The salad bar and everything on it.
- Ukrop's fried chicken.
- No tabloids at the checkout.
And overall, the customers seemed to like it.
"I can't believe all the people," said Alice Klein. "I couldn't find a parking place."
Every shopper we talked to liked the changes, were happy about the beer and wine availability, and very excited to be able to shop on Sundays.
"I grew up in Northern Virginia, so I'm used to Giant," said Laura M. "I love that I can now buy beer and wine."
"I was out of town until Sunday," Sandy Smith said. "But I waited to do my shopping until today. There wasn't anywhere else to go. I like the beer and wine, and I like that they're open on Sunday. But it still feels like home."
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