2009.09.03
Downtown grocery = pure genius
I've been saying for 5 or 10 years now that if I had the money to start my own business in downtown Roanoke, it wouldn't be a restaurant. It would be a gourmet grocery store - something like a Tinnell's Finer Foods in South Roanoke, except bigger and with even more selection.
Of course, 10 years ago (and maybe even 5 years ago), we probably wouldn't have had the customer base in downtown Roanoke to make a go of it. Now that so many people are moving into revitalized downtown buildings, it's the best time ever for an endeavor like this. So I was excited (and a little jealous) when I read Jenny Kincaid Boone's story in the Business section of The Roanoke Times this morning about four investors who hope to open just such a store on Church Avenue.
Just two years ago, you couldn't even find a convenience store in downtown Roanoke. Now we have two. But the problem has remained that besides the farmers market, there's no place to buy groceries. I don't think this store will be a boon to just downtown residents; I can't tell you how many times I've wished I could run downtown on my way home and pick up some household staple I needed or some dinner fixings I wanted so I wouldn't have to go to the grocery store. Downtown workers will undoubtedly find this very convenient, but the store owners are going to have to stay open late enough to serve the customers who don't get off work until 5 or 6 p.m., maybe later.
According to Jenny's story, the project is in the very early stages. They're going to have to do a lot of remodeling and then find folks who want to rent from them and open shops. I hope they can keep the dream alive, and I also hope they don't spend so much time thinking about the health club and the food court that they lose sight of what we really need downtown: Groceries!
What would you like to see in a downtown grocery store? And would you shop there?
One thing that I would like to see in downtown Roanoke is an international grocery store. Although, I am African-American, I really enjoy cooking ethnic dishes. I envision it with say Indian, Asian, Middle Eastern, Hispanic and Italian stalls/shops throughout. It would be really cool, if each could also offer recipes that utilize their unique spices and cooking techniques, have cooking demos and even a few carry-out eateries. That would be awesome! Hmmm, the Market Square building could be renovated and expanded for just that...
Comment by Angela — September 3, 2009 @ 11:52 am
That would be so sweet, Angela.
Comment by Lindsey Nair — September 3, 2009 @ 12:40 pm
I don't think the Market Square building is a good choice, since it's about to be demolished and will be out of operation for the next two years. But a downtown grocery store, a real supermarket, that is, would be a boon to downtown. I'd like to see something on the order of a Fresh Maraket. A deli, good produce and meats, a bakery--wouldn't that be fine! I'll bet a store like that would also get drop-ins from those of us who just want a nourishing (or not) snack totide us over until our next meal. And take-out lunches? Why not?
Comment by Betsy — September 3, 2009 @ 2:27 pm
I am going nuts trying find some intl markets!! If it were downtown they would get my buck every time I am in the area.
I know of the Asian market on Williamson Road - can anyone share any others in Roanoke??? (Other than the Fresh Foods import section)
Comment by Shellie Leete — September 3, 2009 @ 3:32 pm
They aren't going to demolish the Market Building, Betsy, just close it and remodel it. From a Roanoke Times story on 6/2/09: "The city estimates that the design work would require about 10 months and subsequent construction would take about a year." So it looks like you're right about the two year part.
The proposed grocery store is for the building that currently houses the Downtown Sports Club on Church Ave.
Comment by Lindsey Nair — September 3, 2009 @ 3:32 pm
I agree Angela about the international grocery store. When they had people outside the Mkt Bldg months ago, soliciting ideas for it, ethnic markets was one of my suggestions.
As far as a downtown grocery store, I would like a good selection of fresh meats and cheese, and good bacon and sausage. Since we have On the Rise and the other bakery coming, I don't care so much about bread, although fresh pastries would be nice. As far as produce goes, I'd love to have a choice of fresh herbs and a good selection of dried spices. Carrots, celery and mushrooms would be nice, since no one sells them at the Farmer's Mkt and as a downtown resident, it would be nice to have them available for soups and stews. A good olive oil and vinegar selection would be nice too. Gourmet chips and soft drinks would be great too. We don't need more Coke,Pepsi, Frito-Lays products. Campbell Mart, 7 to 7 and The Corner Store have junk food more than covered.
Comment by Debbie — September 3, 2009 @ 4:19 pm
Shellie, I have good news for you. If you go to this Web address: http://www.roanoke.com/columnists/nair/wb/168680, you will see the first in a series of stories I did last year about ethnic markets in Southwest Virginia. If you then scroll down and look on the left side of the screen, you'll see a box that says "related stories." That's where you will find the links to the other three stories in the series. They include a listing of markets. Williamson Road has some great ethnic markets, but there are also good markets elsewhere in Roanoke and in the New River Valley.
Comment by Lindsey Nair — September 3, 2009 @ 5:48 pm
I knew we have a lot of ethnic markets in the valley, but I want something close to my home.:-) It would be so nice to have the market bldg be a real "market building."
Comment by Debbie — September 3, 2009 @ 6:37 pm
Any chance we could get a Trader Joe's downtown? I would definitely come downtown more often if there were, and it just seems it would fit the need for city dwellers and suburbanites.
Comment by Susan D — September 4, 2009 @ 7:48 am
For this to work it has to be upscale to the nth degree and also carry some basics....albeit still upscale.
From the name to the signage....it has to ooze quality and be eccentric....think Fork in the Alley or Spoon in the City...and apply the same principles to this store and you will succeed.
Comment by Greg — September 4, 2009 @ 11:40 am
It is doomed to fail unless the City of Roanioke is willing to increase it's police exposure in the immediate area of this place. Just look at Campbell Ave.. You think those that live on the upper floors of the Colonial Bank building are going to patronize this store......No way
Comment by RT — September 4, 2009 @ 12:02 pm
Shellie,
check out the market on brambleton next to papa johns...Li is wonderful!
She is constantly giving out food and samples of her products for you to taste, very welcoming and nice. Being a smart shopper also, I have found when I need basil or produce there MUCH cheaper than the grocery store. They regulary have thai basil,and it is extremely reasonable and you can buy just what you need.
Comment by gedneyguy — September 4, 2009 @ 12:36 pm
SusanD, I've wished for a Trader Joes here for ages...They're gradually moving west, and are opening one in Charlottesville next Spring, the lucky buggers. They already have a Whole Foods there too!
There's an international grocery market in Blacksburg on the Right of Main Street heading into town....it's called World Foods or something like that. I've been several times while down there and they have an interesting assortment of goods.
Comment by Kristen — September 4, 2009 @ 1:18 pm
I hope the guys planning this store will make it a real grocery store and not another downtown convenience store. Make it a market people want to go to. A small version of Fresh Market would be so great.
Comment by Debbie — September 5, 2009 @ 8:13 am
I like the idea, but not in the Market building, please!
Comment by Melissa — September 5, 2009 @ 12:22 pm
The downtown grocery store, if it happens, is not going to be in the Market building Melissa. It would be in the Downtown Sports Club on Church Avenue. I see nothing wrong however, with having some small specialty shops in the Market building. It's a large building, certainly big enough to keep the current vendors on the first floor and add some shops to the second.
Comment by Debbie — September 7, 2009 @ 10:22 am
I'd LOVE to see a grocery store downtown. I've only lived downtown for a year, but from the beginning I noticed that this was what was missing. Hope they go through with it!
Comment by Jessica — September 21, 2009 @ 3:13 pm
I am the owner of the Downtown Sports Club building (16 West Church) and would love to have additional input on what people would like to see in our building. The current plan is a second floor fitness center and first floor upscale grocery/convenience store, pharmacy, stalls for retail and light food service, coffee/smoothie bar and vendor carts, along with the Chiropractor that is currently there.
Comment by John Garland — September 26, 2009 @ 2:18 pm