June 27, 2007
Whatever you do to remain calm-- whether it be breathing deeply, keeping up with your meds or shouting "Serenity now!"-- you should be prepared to do it if you head to Ukrop's today, their grand opening day.
I'm not trying to discourage anyone from going, I'm just warning that the wait for a parking space is reportedly about 10 minutes. I know I sat behind a line of cars filled with people trying to find spots in the underground parking garage for about that long when I ventured over this afternoon.
If you think it's annoying when a driver stops and waits in front of you for a car to pull out of the first space they see, just imagine what it's like when that happens in a parking garage. Not fun.
However, most folks seem to think it's worth the wait once they get inside the store.
Not since Fresh Market first opened have I seen grocery shoppers with such delighted expressions on their faces. They're standing patiently in line for free hot dogs, chili and cheese samples or just a look at the fresh meats and seafoods in the meat cases.
Kevin Hade, Ukrop's vice president for sales and operations, told me the bakery, sushi, meat and seafood cases had been the biggest draws throughout the day. The store had already run out of their signature White House rolls by about 2 p.m. and were expecting an emergency truck at any minute.
In addition, the store already had 10 orders for decorated cakes after only two hours of being open this morning. Perhaps the July 4 holiday and all the summer birthdays were keeping them hopping.
I watched many shoppers head back to their cars with no bags in hand, a sign that some folks ventured out just to get a look at what the store had to offer. But just as many were leaving with loaded carts, and Hade says the opening today could break records for the company.
I left with a small cup of broccoli-cheddar soup, which was a little on the bland side. A sample of the chili revealed that the kidney beans were slightly undercooked, but the flavor was good. I figure the chefs are still new to the store and deserve a little time to perfect their food production, just like any new restaurant needs a few weeks to work out the kinks.
From the look of the parking lot and the wide-eyed shoppers, it's going to take more than a couple of hard beans to ward Roanokers off Ukrop's. Especially when "courtesy clerks" will walk you out to your car in the rain with an umbrella.
June 26, 2007
I took advantage of Media Day at the new Ukrop's on Franklin Road today to get a sneak peek at the store and do a little comparison pricing between Ukrop's and the nearby Kroger at Tower's Mall.
While our business reporter, Jenny, did a very efficient job of interviewing Ukrop's personnel and shooting a video interview with Ukrop's president Bobby Ukrop, I basically wandered around the store, ogled the food and jotted down prices for a very unscientific comparison with the nearby Kroger.
When I left for Kroger, I had no preconceived notions about which store would be more affordable. I've already said that I think the two will match up pretty closely on typical grocery items, but Ukrop's will top Kroger's prepared foods in both quality and price.
Here's how my shopping list turned out. Keep in mind that these are REGULAR prices on everything and that both stores run weekly sales on certain items. I can't tell you whether one store puts more food on sale more often. I have bold-faced the winning store on each comparison:
Continue reading "Ukrop's vs. Kroger" »
June 19, 2007
Well, what do you know?
I post something about Ukrop's still having a squishy opening date and I get a press release declaring that Ukrop's Grand Opening will take place next Wednesday, June 27. So I guess that false date that was circulating may not be the same date.
The new store is set to open at 7 a.m. that morning, and I'll bet it will be jam-packed. In fact, it will probably be packed for the next month or two.
Here's an excerpt from the release. Some of it is a repeat of what we've already reported, but I figured it would still interest you guys:
Continue reading "Ask and ye shall receive!" »
My better half was at the YMCA last week and noticed a Ukrop's representative there signing up potential customers for shopper cards. He went ahead and signed up both of us for a card. After talking with the representative, she told him the new grocery store would open at Franklin and Wonju on June 27. That's next Wednesday.
Roanoke Times Business reporter Jenny Kincaid Boone has been carefully following the Ukrop's story and has reported opening delays several times over the past several months.
Now, Jenny tells me the June 27 date may not even be correct. Here's what she said in an e-mail yesterday: "Ukrop's corporate office told me today that there's no confirmed opening date yet, though they understand that there's a false date circulating around."
Hmmm. Jenny plans to keep her eye on the date and let me know what she finds out. The lesson in all of this: Don't hold your breath for that famous chicken salad just yet.
