2009.10.12
Ukrop's sale
Starting today through its closing on Oct. 24, Ukrop's Super Market in Roanoke is discounting the price of all food and other merchandise by 20 percent.
The sale excludes gift cards and postage, said store manager, Manny Derderian. Jason Woodcock, the former store manager, has left the grocery company, he said.
The Roanoke Ukrop's also now closes early each day, at 7 p.m.
Sorry to hear that Jason has left the company. He was a bright spot is a very difficult situation.
Comment by Teresa — October 12, 2009 @ 3:32 pm
Everyone is come out now since theres a sale!!!!
Comment by Adam — October 12, 2009 @ 6:48 pm
In a cheap world that old saying 'you get what you pay for' is on point.
WalMart=an obnoxious, lame, sorry experience at a cheap cr-p price.
Place like Ukrop's that even try for a moment to provide something more
fail because people in our community fail every time to support it.
Comment by Love NRV — October 13, 2009 @ 10:42 am
Reading Jenny's blog pays!! Saved $30.00 on groceries today! Thanks Jenny!!
Comment by Jason — October 13, 2009 @ 2:21 pm
#3, Cheerios are Cheerios whether you buy them at Ukrops, Walmart or on Rodeo Drive. I liked Ukops and hate to see them go but they didn't offer enough unique variety to set them apart from the other area grocers. Ever been to a Wegmans? Now they are unique and successful.
Comment by RJ — October 13, 2009 @ 3:37 pm
Thanks for the update, Jason, and glad that you could save some money. What are some of the best deals that you found with the 20 percent discount?
Comment by Jenny Kincaid Boone — October 13, 2009 @ 5:35 pm
You have to use your Ukrops card to get the discount.
Comment by Matt — October 14, 2009 @ 7:02 am
Funny I find Ukrops to be an obnoxious, lame, sorry experience at a not so cheap cr-p price. Some of their "services" provide no real value to the customer and that is why people don't care to support Ukrops.
I myself was put off by my encounter with the Ukrops "greeter" handing out information during the store's opening, who did not seem comfortable with my appearance and my family's mixed race and made me feel unwelcome in the store. I never went back.
Comment by Kim — October 14, 2009 @ 3:29 pm
Thats funny Kim because as a past associate I know for a fact that there are a few associates whose very own family is mixed race. I also know that no one who worked at Ukrop's would discriminate your family for being such. Comments like yours make me happy I left Roanoke.
Comment by J.T. — October 14, 2009 @ 6:51 pm
I agree JT, my wife and I have shopped at Ukrop's since they opened and being a mixed race family ourselves we have never experienced any kind of discrimination from their employees in fact they have grown to know us and are like family to us. And kudos to you for getting out of Roanoke, we hope to be leaving soon too!
Comment by Chase — October 14, 2009 @ 7:20 pm
Chase, it appears that my comment was deleted
but thanks for agreeing with me.
Comment by J.T. — October 14, 2009 @ 11:34 pm
That was different than the normal excuse of they don't sell beer and not being open on Sundays. People are so easily offended these days. Let's not return somewhere over a look.
Comment by Mike D — October 15, 2009 @ 12:36 am
I tried to my best to like Ukrops. I loved the underground parking, however after several experiences in the store regarding their "specials" and "reserving the right not to accept coupons" I gave up on them. I had items ring up at full price on 3 occasions that were supposed to be on sale. I had coupons for these items each time and the manager on duty made it an ordeal to correct the issues and then seemed put off that I was using a coupon with the special. She made a very determined effort to let people know that I was committing the cardinal sin of using a manufacture coupon on one visit. She looked down on me because I was trying to get the best deal. The last time I checked, they do get reimbursed for those coupons. I use coupons as a choice to save money, not as a necessity. I choose to get the best for my value on anything I can.
I do realize that they were playing to a South Roanoke audience, but not everyone is impressed when you jack up your prices to cater to the more affluent customer. Sometimes faux pretension can backfire.
Comment by Jeff — October 15, 2009 @ 7:04 am
People can whine and cry about what a crappy place Roanoke is and how Roanoke can't support something so great as a Ukrops but bottom line, provide value and people will come. Ukrops for one reason or another did not do that here in Roanoke.
As far as feeling unwelcome in Ukrops, that was my experience and yours may differ but every customer counts and obviously Ukrops needed all they could get. That wasn't the sole reason I never went back, I was simply unimpressed and Ukrops did not provide me any extra value for going there that I couldn't get at another store closer to me.
I frankly don't get the whole Ukrops fanboy thing. Underground parking and people taking groceries to my car are not enough to make me keep coming back. Ukrops simple wasn't all that special. IMO.
I do feel for the hard working staff at Ukrops who got duped by poor vision, planning, and execution. They are the ones paying the most. The top executives still have their golf dates and nice cars. They are immune to their own mistakes much like the rest of corporate America.
Comment by Kim — October 15, 2009 @ 10:45 am
Jenny, could you look into the deception Mostly Sofas is trying to pull off on the public? I have heard they claim they are going out of business but they are actually only changing their name.
Comment by RJ — October 15, 2009 @ 2:48 pm
I thought Ukrops was a nice store, different the prices were okay hey all the supermarkets in the Roanoke Valley are expensive. I don't shop at Food Lion like I used to seems their prices have skyrocketed. Their plastic bags at least would hold up until you got home unlike krogers and food lion.
Nothing wrong with having someone assist with your groceries. I personally think that Krogers and Food Lions are now saying hello and greeting customers unlike they used to. There is no fan fair when you shop at krogers and certainly none at food lion. Long lines, but at least you can check yourself out at krogers, when the lines are working properly. I never get out without having to use someone to assist you for some reason or not. I wished that had opened on Sundays but good for their employees they did not have to work.
Hopefully something different will move in the location and not the same old stuff we already have.
I shopped their today and it is nice to have had a different choice of store to shop.
Comment by debi — October 15, 2009 @ 2:56 pm
RJ,
Here's a link to my story, published last week, about Mostly Sofas' advertisements. http://www.roanoke.com/business/wb/221570
You are right. The store is not closing permanently. It will close briefly in December and reopen as the Home Shoppe.
Comment by Jenny Kincaid Boone — October 15, 2009 @ 3:09 pm
Exactly how does this so called deception by Mostly Sofas hurt anyone?
OMG, they duped us into buying furniture for a discounted price!
Granted I agree that they could have been more specific about returning under a new name but to me, another case of "so what"?
Comment by William — October 15, 2009 @ 4:25 pm
Agreed Debbie!! Urkrops was different and hope another new company will take over the site. Would love to see Harris Teeter in that spot. It was great when they were here. So much better then the standard Kroger!!! They would do well open on Sundays and selling beer everyday!! Let's support a nice new store to the area this time around Roanoke!! Love Fresh Market!! Nice upscale store and people!!
Comment by Chris — October 15, 2009 @ 5:55 pm
On Mostly Sofas. Store closing means the store is closing not changing names. When the only thing that is changing is the name I can see where people see a deception. I don't know how many times some carpet stores have done this. I'm interested to know if the "closing" sale is any better than their sales any other day. Like a mattress store that has a never ending sale one mattresses but their ads still tell you to hurry sale ends soon.
Comment by Mike D — October 16, 2009 @ 1:19 pm
Mostly Sofas like the Scandanavian store on Apperson Drive a few years ago said they were going out of business and ended up on Williamson Road. Now I think they are finally going out of business. Anything to get money.
Comment by debi — October 17, 2009 @ 11:29 am
Harris Teeter was a good choice to Chris I agree, remember the one that was at Valley View Mall where Dicks is now a store from the Richmond Area which did not last but I really liked their products. You get tired of Krogers all the time and Food Lion is a joke saying their prices are low they are not and have not been for a while. Roanoke does not have the population to get an Aldi but I really like shopping there. Walmart was pretty good with food items but they are raising prices too. We have to wise up and stop shopping so much and the prices will come down. Eliminate a particular day of purchasing like we did when the gas was so expensive and the prices will fall.
Another thing I find interesting, different areas gas prices for the same companies what is the deal with that. Lakeside Kroger gas 2.37 yet near Sams 2.21 of course they are competing with Sams but seems unfair.
Comment by debi — October 17, 2009 @ 11:37 am
To Chase, JT and Kim; sorry for your bad experience, Kim. The reaction you experienced concerning mixed race is a Southwestern Virginia thing. I live in Richmond (and shop at Ukrop's), and mixed race relationships are no big deal. JT, congrats on leaving Roanoke! I am a native Roanoker who relocated to Richmond in 1993, and love it here. The bad wrap Richmond gets is undeserved. I find people here to be more relaxed than Roanoke, and less concerned about excluding others who don't fit their mold. And Chase, I hope you get out soon! You will see how rewarding life outside the Valley can be.
Comment by DonAble — October 18, 2009 @ 10:30 am
Checked online for their weekly ad and there isn't one. Say "In place of our weekly ad, please enjoy 20% off you purchase". Sadly the end is near. Wonder if I have one last chance to get their wonderful fried chicken. Well, until I go to visit family that lives near a Ukrop's.
Comment by Mike D — October 18, 2009 @ 11:57 pm
Couple of things, debi... Aldi does locate in smaller towns. There is one in Hagerstown, Maryland and Chambersburg, PA (both about half the size of Roanoke city).
The discount store that was in the former Circuit City-Dick's area failed because it had weekly shoppers but was hard to access for stopping on the way home from work throughout the week.
A good competitor for Wal-Mart is Meijer, which is mostly in the midwest, like Aldi.
Comment by adowntownbusiness — October 19, 2009 @ 12:13 am
Roanoke Doesn't have the population for Aldi?
Danville and Martinsville both have one! Along with Winchester, Culpepper and Woodbridge.
While I have not been in an Aldi in the US.. I have been one in its "Home" in Germany.. in a small town about the size of Salem..
They have a good selection for a good cheap price. I even recall a center "crate" with cans of cheap beer for 25 cent Euro. (Back in 2005).
I think it would be a perfect fit for Roanoke.. but maybe the Ukrops building is a bit too "upscale" looking for ALDI. at least my experience with them. They seem to leave the items in its shipping box and just slice the side so you can pull of the shelf that way.
Comment by Scott — October 19, 2009 @ 11:02 am
Aldi definitely has its strong points and can't be beat on items like milk, saltines, and other staples. I remember they had good back for less that $1.50 a lb. I shopped at one in college especially for Jungle Juice ingredients...its definitely for the low income shoppers, but some of the items are top notch for the price- the aforementioned saltines stick in my mind- for 25 cents a box. Aldi Bread was 3 loaves for $1 and was made by the Stork/Flowers bakery- great stuff for that cheap.
The produce was never too bad, but unless I was really watching my budget or a college kid, I would probably not step into one again.
Scott- I had a German roommate in college who was ecstatic when we drove by an Aldi and I couldn't figure out why. Upon entering and seeing how downright basic it was, he said it was nothing like the Aldis in his home country.
There really is no glitz or glam- everything is display ready on the pallets, which are just dropped on the floor underneath a suspended price tag. What I did find funny was he said Aldi's store brand of liquor was some of the best he ever had. Back when I shopped Aldi, they only took cash or foodstamps...plus you 'rented' a shopping cart for 25 cents, and would get that quarter back when you returned the cart to a corral on the front porch of the store. I imagine most of that has changed since then.
They definitely know how to keep costs down. Zose craft Germanx... = )
Comment by Rich — October 19, 2009 @ 1:10 pm
Oops....'back' should be 'bacon'.
Comment by Rich — October 19, 2009 @ 1:10 pm
Not sure if Roanoke is ready for Aldi. Last time I was there, you had to pay a 25 cents deposit to use a shopping cart, which was returned to you when you brought the cart back to the storage area.
You also had a limited selection of varieties and many were house or private brands you never saw before... kind of like the Food City-owned store in Vinton.
They also don't stay open 24/7 and do not sell beer or wine.
But you do save money.
Comment by adowntownbusiness — October 19, 2009 @ 11:01 pm
"adowntownbusiness" - I am not sure where you got your information.. but ALDI's at least in Virginia, according to their website do sell Beer & Wine. In Germany you rent the carts as well. They make $ of those too lazy to walk to return them. But in Germany the cashiers dont bag for you - you have to do it! Imagine the "outrage" it would be over that here.
In Germany, at least the one I was at in Homburg (Saarland), it was basic. everything still in the box or pallet with prices hanging on the shelf or simply posted. The food by far was the cheapest I saw there for food prices and it wasn't that bad either. A godo way to save money. Stack the boxes on top of each other. Thus saving the consumer money. I dont need a "fancy" store to shop in to "feel good". I rather save that money and feel good about that.
Nothing wrong with house/unknown brand names - Many are made in the same factories as the name brands or just dont have the advertising budget or distribution channels to make it a "name brand" - remember all brands at one time wasn't "Name Brand"
Comment by Scott — October 20, 2009 @ 10:30 am
I haven't been to one, but Food Lion's "Bottom Dollar" chain sounds pretty similar to Aldi's. It does seem, though, that the "Food Lion" nameplate will continue to be used around Roanoke instead of converting any stores to Bloom or Bottom Dollar.
Comment by KevinL — October 20, 2009 @ 12:09 pm
Bloom will not be coming to Roanoke, as I confirmed with their headquarters in Salisbury NC. Neither will Wegmans, as I confirmed with their headquaters in Rochester NY. Also Harris Teeter will not be coming, as there was an agreement made between Kroger and Harris Teeter to "swap" stores in Roanoke for Kroger stores in North Carolina. Ukrop's remains owned by the Ukrop family, with a private deal failing. There is a possibility that Ukrop's might sell to Harris Teeter. I know this for a fact. But at the moment, nothing is in the works. Just plan on that nice building remaining empty for a couple of years, and eventually being sub-divided, and then remaining 50% empty for years to come. The bubble has burst for that project.
Comment by javajoe — October 20, 2009 @ 12:54 pm
Get your facts straight Java Joe!! There is no clause saying Harris Teeter can't come to Roanoke!! They can come if they are interested!
Comment by jonh — October 20, 2009 @ 7:35 pm
Javajoe I am a past associate for Ukrops and a current one for Harris Teeter (ironic I know!). I can tell you the deal with Harris Teeter and Kroger had a 10 year contract and that is over although I was also told that HT would not return to Roanoke because of lackluster sales and underperforming sales in their past stores. I have heard all the rumors about Harris Teeter buying Ukrops and right now it seems it may be more than a rumor and I could see the deal comming through since the deal with the investment group fell through. Bottom line is I am sad the Roanoke store didnt work out (relocated there and would still be there) and the Ukrop family is a fine family who treats their people right (minus recently in my opinion). I enjoy working for Harris Teeter and can tell you that they are very similiar with Ukrop's plus and minus a few things. As for the Ukrop's building on Franklin Rd. I will agree that it will sit empty for quite sometime and then possibly split up 50/50. My thoughts right now are with all the great associates/friends that will be jobless.
Comment by J.T. — October 20, 2009 @ 9:11 pm
I have mixed emotions about Ukrop's closing. I was an employee,I saw and heard a lot. I will miss my fellow associates. Ukrop's as a business, not so nice as they pretend. First we can't take a severance package, unless we sign away unemployment. When Jason left,( who was the best), over 20 years with them, best GM! They couldn't even give him his 2004, over 90,000 mile Ford, that still sits in the parking lot today, They would not give him any of his vacation time, that he had earned, because they said it was not close enough to the date of his anniversary, He left two weeks before the restart date! When they came to tell us they were closing, the owner and son and VP's disappeared, and left everything to Jason! Good luck Jason, we love and miss you. You deserved much better, after all your loyalty to Ukrop's.
Yes,we will miss all of our wonderful customers, and our family of associates. Good luck to those that are staying with Ukrop's, you will need it.
Comment by Beth — October 21, 2009 @ 8:39 am
Relax John, I was simply stating what I knew. But seriously think about the fact that Ukrop's and Harris Teeter are similar in nature, and would have the same customer base. Do you actually think Harris Teeter would ignore what happened to Ukrop's, and come to Roanoke, only to suffer the same fate? Might as well add Harris Teeter to the list of grocers who won't be coming to Roanoke. That list also includes Trader Joes and Whole Foods.
Comment by javajoe — October 21, 2009 @ 12:36 pm
Javajoe.. where did you get facts that Trader Joe's and Whole foods WILL NOT be coming to roanoke? I never recall seeing anything or any "offical" statement saying they will not come.
"No immidate" plans doesn't mean never...
Comment by Scott — October 21, 2009 @ 12:46 pm
I think with Trader Joe's or Whole Foods, they need better demographics than what Roanoke has in order to come, namely higher average incomes. If you look at where they are in Virginia, this makes sense. Whole Foods has 8 stores in the NoVA area, and one in C-ville. They also haven't built any stores in the Hampton Roads or Richmond areas. Trader Joe's has 7 in NoVA, 1 in Richmond, 1 in Williamsburg, and 2 in Hampton Roads. Based on that, I don't think they'll be showing up in this area any time soon, sadly...we simply don't yet have the population bases or income levels as those places.
Comment by Other John — October 21, 2009 @ 1:24 pm
"They also haven't built any stores in the Hampton Roads or Richmond areas."
Other John, incorrect! Whole Foods is located at West Broad Village in Short Pump (near Trader Joe's).
Please do a little research next time.
Thanks
Comment by Wholeguy — October 21, 2009 @ 8:44 pm
They are opening an Trader Joe's in Charlottesville soon (not sure on date) and one is Open in Virginia Beach.
Income levels for Trader Joe's isn't a factor I don't think. Their prices are below the cost of major grocers, and more healthy. There is one in Danbury, CT with a pop of about 80,000. Maybe its logistics in shipping items here is the biggest issue as there isnt a store in a good range right now (Glen Allen and Raleigh being the nearest ones)
Comment by Scott — October 21, 2009 @ 10:50 pm
Wholeguy, I used the Whole Foods website to check that, they need to update their site then...it's obviously out of date if they are in Short Pump. Sort of hard to check facts when even the company has it wrong!
Comment by Other John — October 22, 2009 @ 9:27 am
I wish I had a job that when I quit they would let me keep my company car and vacation time I was 2 weeks away from earning. What are you smoking, Beth? Harris Teeter tried it in the Roanoke market and failed. Ukrop's tried it in the Roanoke market and failed. Given the current economic climate, I wouldn't expect anyone else to take the risk.
Comment by Seriously? — October 22, 2009 @ 9:51 am
Other John - the store is listed in Glen Allen. That's in Henrico County, it's the Greater Richmond Metropolitan Area.
Comment by Seriously? — October 22, 2009 @ 9:59 am
For some reason my mind glithced out when I looked at the listings and I thought Glen Allen was in the NoVA area. Still though, I think it will be a long time before we have one in this area. I'd shop there, I stop by the C'ville location every time I'm on the way back from NoVA or Richmond to stock up on a few things I can't get anywhere locally.
Comment by Other John — October 22, 2009 @ 11:26 am
Glen Allen in NOVA? No, it is in Richmond's "West End", otherwise known as Short Pump. Greater Richmond is comprised of: Glen Allen, Short Pump, Hanover, Ashland, Montpelier, Falling Creek, Rockville, Mechanicsville, Cold Harbor, Highland Springs, Varina, Sandston, Church Hill, City of Richmond, Manchester, The Fan District,The West End (near and far), Lakeside, Bon Air, both Midlothian and The Village of Midlothian, Chesterfield, Chester and Manakin Sabot, with neighboring communities Powhatan and Goochland. The region has a population of over one million people, and is comprised of Henrico, Chesterfield, and Hanover counties and The City of Richmond.
Of the Roanokers I have met, I must admit that their knowledge of places beyond the Roanoke Valley is extremely limited.
Comment by Wholeguy — October 22, 2009 @ 6:14 pm
Also, Seriously?
Having such snotty comments from Scott Arenson (some name like that) in the news paper, stating that we need to change our ways of shopping, for Ukrop's to survive here, didn't go so well.That just showed us more of the "Ukrop's" arrogance!!
Comment by Jeff — October 23, 2009 @ 7:50 am
I'm not a native Roanoker, I'm actually from Virginia Beach, but just have not spent a whole lot of time in the Richmond area since I've never lived or worked there, or had family or friends there. The bulk of my time in the capital area has been limited to 2-3 day business conferences in the downtown or Innsbrook areas...so I'm not as familiar with the outlying communities there.
Comment by Other John — October 23, 2009 @ 8:21 am
On the other hand, most folks in Richmond don't know much about anything west of Charlottesville.
Truth be told, Glen Allen is north of the City of Richmond, but not quite in NOVA
I worked and lived in the Richmond area for about 3 years. Ukrops was quite popular there when I was up there.
Comment by Ken — October 23, 2009 @ 3:33 pm
Was in Richmond last week and visited a Trader Joes. Big disapointment!!! The store looked cheap! Reminded me of a Food Lion, No butcher, bakery ect. Roanoke does need need another cheap store like this!! We have enough trash in this town as is. Fresh Market way better!! Way!!!
Comment by Chris — October 24, 2009 @ 11:13 am
Chris, Trader Joe's is supposed to look that way. It is cheesy and fun. Trader Joe's is not "upscale", as people think. They sell mostly prepared food, in addition to their own brands of cereal and coffee and things like that, and really cheap wine. Overall, their prices are very low. I have been in that Trader Joe's in Short Pump. I enjoyed it. I found many things that you will never see at a regular grocery store. But don't worry, Trader Joe's isn't going to come to Roanoke anyway, because of the population, or lack of, should I say.
Comment by AllenOn — October 25, 2009 @ 9:40 am
Chris, from what I have seen of Trader Joe's, They don't spend all their money on a fancy store, or a bakery, massive meat dept to keep their prices low. It isn't a place to do all your shopping at in the first place(Unless your Vegan/Vegetarian).
Sure Fresh Market is great and i visit often, but the prices are higher than other establishments in the area.
Comment by Scott — October 25, 2009 @ 10:49 am
The best part about Trader Joes is their home brand stuff. The Trader Joe soy pita bread, the Trader Guiotto olive oils and pastas....they also have great cheeses and excellent ethnic foods.
They can vary - the one in Williamsburg is huge and kicking, and I was in the one in Georgetown a couple of weeks ago, and it was in a basement and was cramped and NOT great. But overall, they have an excellent ecletic selection of foods for a decent price.
Sad to say, they probably won't come here anyway.
Comment by Kristen — October 25, 2009 @ 7:49 pm