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RICHMOND
The family-owned Ukrop's supermarket chain is being sold. Dutch company Royal Ahold, which operates the Giant grocery chain, said Thursday that it is buying the Richmond company and its 25 grocery stores.
Giant-Carlisle, a division of Ahold USA, will expand its presence in Virginia by acquiring Ukrop's. The company operates nearly 150 stores in four states and employs more than 26,000 people.
The sale, valued around $140 million, is expected to close in the first quarter of 2010. The company said it will hire Ukrop's store associates as part of the transaction. Ukrop's first opened in 1937.
The chain has watched its share of the local grocery dollars slip from No. 1 in the past year after being the market leader since 1986.
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Ukrops Sold
Growing up in Richmond, my wife and I remember Ukrop's first store on Southside. The family business has grown with Richmond and has been a great corporate citizen, giving millions back to worthy causes. They are an icon that kept a certain Richmond spirit alive and well. My wife remembers their purchase of the famous Dot's Pastry Shop in the city. Those orininal Dot's recepies remain unchanged today, and the Ukrop's label still reflects the Dot's name. Ukrops does the baking, but the product was absolutely the same as the original. Customer loyality was so strong for this company, that many folks from Tidewater regularily drive up to Williamsburg for a Ukrop's product. Most had relocated here after living in Richmond as some point in time. The small chain distinguished itself in so many ways from rest of the grocery providers. It is a sad passing and unfortunately the stores will change with the new ownership, and almost certainly not for the better. Enjoy the last days of the real Ukrops while you can. Happy Holidays
Ukrop's purchase
Giant was my grocery store of choice until purchased by the Dutch. It has steadily gone downhill since then. Might be differnt for Ukrop's. I have never shopped there as I prefer my grocery stores not to have religous overtones. I like to to shop on Sundays and never understood why Ukrop's sold tobacco products but not alcohol. Then a religous friend explained to me that jesus didn't drink but apparantly was quite the smoker.
Harris Teeter
I guess the deal between Ukrops and Harris Teeter is now over....One would not infringe on the others territory!
Big Changes
Look for Sunday hours and BEER at Ukrop's pretty soon. I wouldn't be surprised to see a push down towards Hampton Roads as well.
Who Cares?
At least it will probably no longer be the bible belt store that wouldn't sell beer and wine.
Another one
bites the dust. That will be the end of an era and an end to the high quality shopping experience they offered.
How is this any better than a blog?
One-line summary of RT-D story, with link.