Retail in Richmond

[burt]

Paul Hammond posted this news item and web page on Greater Jackson Ward News announcing the opening of a gourmet food and wine shop called THE HOPPY DOG..

Its address is 319-321 Brook Road. The old Emerick Chevrolet flatiron building (now condos) between Marshall and Broad Streets is the splitting point between North Adams Street and Brook Road

.From GJWN

http://www.thehoppydog.com/About

[burt]

Paul Hammond posted this news item and web page on Greater Jackson Ward News announcing the opening of a gourmet food and wine shop called THE HOPPY DOG..

Its address is 319-321 Brook Road. The old Emerick Chevrolet flatiron building (now condos) between Marshall and Broad Streets is the splitting point between North Adams Street and Brook Road

.From GJWN

http://www.thehoppydog.com/About

Richmond Biz Sense did a story yesterday about THE HOPPY DOG:

http://www.richmondb...t-to-artisinal/

[burt]

A decade ago Richmond was sometimes described as "a hotbed of social rest."

These days, Kimberly Guthrie of VCU's School of Fashion Design and Merchandising, describes the city as "a hotbed of art."

"We want to be considered a hotspot of fashion. We're getting there."

This is an eye-opening story on the subject from today's RTD (be sure to click on the Gallery in the Related box.)

http://www2.timesdis...ard-ar-1490475/

Edited November 27, 2011 by burt

[burt]

Lou Llovio reports today in his RTD Biz Buzz column that Pandora, a jewelry retailer, has opened at Stoiny Point Fashion Park. It specializes in hand finished designs on silver and gold.

Pandora is located between Cole Haan and Tiffany &Co. near Saks Fifth Avenue.

[burt]

Someone told me that STONY POINT FASHION PARK had to shut down yesterday because a storm on the previous day had knocked out power. Electricity had been restored in the apartments and condos across the ring road, but all stores and restaurants were closed.

Can anyone verify?

[Icetera]

Someone told me that STONY POINT FASHION PARK had to shut down yesterday because a storm on the previous day had knocked out power. Electricity had been restored in the apartments and condos across the ring road, but all stores and restaurants were closed.

Can anyone verify?

THis would not surprise me as a large portion of the city was out.

[burt]

While tooling around Richmond in my borrowed pick-up truck during the holiday season, I visited several of the area's shopping centers.

I had to exchange a gift at The Short Pump Macy's and bought a pair of sunglasses at a shop on the upper level. The Town Center was quite busy and the parking lot practically full fairly early in the day.

Stony Point Fashion Park was also busy. I chatted with a managerial type at SAKS who told me that the store was "doing phenominally well" which she suggested was due to the fact that no other department store of its calibre exists in Richmond. TIFFANY's is quite small but was crowded with customers, as was next-door PANDORA. My intention was to see a particular movie at CINEBISTRO, but it was not showing at that hour.

Drove by the SHOPPES AT WHITE OAK which is a huge Life Style Center on Laburnum Road near the airport. It appeared to be quite busy with a long line waiting to get into the new STEAK & SHAKE.

Went into Virginia Center Commons and it was jammed with customers.

Also noticed while passing by that demolition and clearing is ongoing at the former Cloverleaf Mall.

On another note, I can testify that the very high I-295 bridge across the James River near the new Amazon site is one terrifying drive!

[jbjust]

I waited for 30 minutes in Tiffany's the week before Christmas before I could speak to a salesperson. They had someone standing at the door to take your name and let you know when a salesperson was available. Crazy!

[burt]

I should have mentioned that Brooks Brothers (which is quite a large store) in Stony Point Fashion Park was having some great sales -- such as pajamas at 40% off. I'd have bought a pair if the store hadn't been so busy. Couldn't find a sales person who wasn't swamped with customers.

[burt]

THESE FOUR WALLS is closing its store in Shockoe Bottom.

From Shockoe News:

http://shockoenews.c...s-closing-shop/

[burt]

LA DIFFERENCE, a couple of doors toward the river from THESE FOUR WALLS, is reenforcing its presence in Shockoe Bottom while closing its shop in West Broad Village.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/2012/jan/09/ladifference-is-closing-west-broad-village-store-ar-1598609/

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

LA DIFFERENCE, a couple of doors toward the river from THESE FOUR WALLS, is reenforcing its presence in Shockoe Bottom while closing its shop in West Broad Village.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...ore-ar-1598609/

That's one less tenant for WBV.....

But then there's the additions of ACAC, Jon 'Ric Spa, Bonefish Grill and Halligan! By the way, what is happening with Jon 'Ric? It seem to be the only one that has announced its plans to come, signed the lease, yet not actually building or setting up shack at the building. Does any one know what the story is? Everytime I visit the site, it says the same thing -- "Grand Opening Spring 2010". In fact, if you read some of the other locations, it also says the same thing.... but I only follow RVA of course, but seriously does anyone know whats going on, or if they've pulled out? Here's the locations page from the official site.

http://www.jonric.com/locations.htm

Edited January 9, 2012 by RVA-Is-The-Best

[Cadeho]

Thank God... Short Pump is overgrown... and just wait until its popularity bubble bursts for some other area for people to create as the anti-Richmond.

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

It really isn't much to report about, but the West Broad Village website has FINALLY updated its directory page to include ALL of the tenants that either are settled in, or under construction at the mixed use development. Sadly, they haven't removed LaDifference, which is already under liquidation and closing its WBV store to focus on it's flagship in downtown. It also dosn't include that Jon 'Ric Spa, which I have been looking over for two years now (don't judge ), which sort of makes me wonder whether the deal has collapsed, or is still planning its store. It also includes new dates for some of its newer stores. A frozen yogurt and cereal shop called MIX IT will open in March, while the make-your-own sandwich shop WHICH WICH will open next month . Also, the directory slates the ACAC FITNESS building to open in December. I'll be waiting it's arrival patiently....

Also, the new BONEFISH GRILL has been open for some weeks now, and is also listed.

http://www.westbroadvillage.com/directory.php

[burt]

Food Lion, which is # 1 in grocery sales in the Richmond market, is closing 100+ stores. Two of the closures will be in western Henrico. The chain is also eliminating its Bloom brand altogether.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/business/2012/jan/13/tdbiz01-food-lion-closings-not-unexpected-ar-1607789/

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

An out-of-state-developer has bought the troubled Brandy Hill Plaza in Mechanicsville.

http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2012/01/19/two-signs-out-front-vacancy-and-sold/

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

It never ceases to amaze me as to how much Frozen Yogurt RVA can swallow. So far, here's a list of current and coming soon franchises of FroYo in RVA.

Sweet Frog : The first thing that pops up in a Richmonder's mind when "frozen yogurt" is heard. It has stores in several states already. http://sweetfrogyogurt.com/

Verry Berry: Only two Richmond locations, but still "verry" successful and flavorful. It can be found in Short Pump and VCU. http://verryberrycafe.com/

Bobalicous: RVA-based Bobalicious sells froyo AND "Boba Drinks": healthy smoothies and sorbets. It has 4 locations in RVA. http://mybobalicious.com/

Mix It: An upcoming froyo and cereal boutique, it is coming in March to West Broad Village. Under construction now. http://www.westbroad...m/directory.php

Crave: A hip, new froyo palace coming to Virginia Center Commons and VCU. I believe its Fredericksburg-based. http://www.cravefroy...m/location.aspx

The crazy part is if you add up ALL of the locations in the Richmond MSA, you end up with nearly 30 froyo places. Sweet Frog accounts for 9 of them (10 when they open up a new store in Staples Mill Square, 5 min. from my house!! ), while the others account for the other 20. My number could be wrong though. Who knows? Maybe it's bigger

Edit: Okay... so I was wrong... I counted up all the locations in the list. 10 for Sweet Frog, 2 for Verry Berry, 2 for Crave, 4 for Bobalicious, and 1 for Mix It. That's nearly 20, not 30..... but still the fro-yo hype is bigger than anywhere else, I can guess!

Edited January 21, 2012 by RVA-Is-The-Best

[KingDog]

It never ceases to amaze me as to how much Frozen Yogurt RVA can swallow. So far, here's a list of current and coming soon franchises of FroYo in RVA.

Agreed and IMO people are fickle about their desserts so it's only a matter of time until the market "right sizes".

Here are some other entrants into the market:

Beriberry in Commons Center Plaza in Chesterfield (coming soon)

Yapple right next to the Carrytown Sweet Frog and in Willow Lawn (announced)

I thought there was a Moonberry in Mechanicsville very near the Sweetfrog, but a search did not come up with a Moonberry location nearby. I know a co-worker told me he would go to someplace else when the line at Sweetfrog was too long and he had a frequent buyer card from the place. So, perhaps its gone out already or they're just the worst company ever at getting their name out via the Internet

[540_804]

The VCU-area VerryBerry is actually closed. Has been gone for a few months now despite the signage that still hangs on the building.

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

The VCU-area VerryBerry is actually closed. Has been gone for a few months now despite the signage that still hangs on the building.

Oh.... that's quite a shame.... I believe that was like the only commercial lease in that building. Could be wrong, though.... It's been a while since I've even been down in that general area.... last time I actually passed it was when I went to Extreme Pizza to eat a slice before catching the Grand Illumination back on Dec. 2.... although looks will probably easily fool me. If the sign is up there, and what with my aging memory, I might walk in unless they've locked the doors .... hope they can grab some nice tenants then..... Verry Berry was a really good froyo place. I remember it being packed with people....

[burt]

For you Yogurt fans, I read this in today's Ric Biz Sense:

Sweet Frog has leased 1,594 s/f in Staples Mill Square at 9073 Staples Mill Road.

Yapple Yogurt has leased 1,479 s/f in The Shops at Willow Lawn.

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

Yep! Of course, I live right in good ol' Glen Allen, and this just happens to be the neighborhood Food Lion and Target I visit frequently :yahoo:

A Sweet Frog here will only brighten me up even more. And there are like only 3 spaces left in the Staples Mill Square shopping center I believe. When SF opens in one of those spaces, only 2 or 1 will be left!! The leases here are getting signed like that!

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

I know it isn't much, but after exploring the Stony Point Fashion Park website, clicking on "Stores for Me", and then "Coming Soon", in which it lists 7 shops, it says Teavana is coming to SPFK, which would mean the second location in the Richmond area. I'm not sure if they plan on closing the Short Pump store, but I hope not, because all I have to do is cruise down 295 to get there. If it closes, I'd have to cross the river! And we all know how much of a headache THAT is for Henrico residents...

http://www.shopstony...ores_for_me/new

Edited January 27, 2012 by RVA-Is-The-Best

[KingDog]

And the Fro-yo bubble continues to grow.

"...plan to open Mix It, a self-serve frozen yogurt and cereal bar, in the West Broad Village shopping center in March. And the venture hopes selling bowls of cereal as well as fro-yo will give it a competitive edge in an increasingly crowded market."

From today's Richmond Biz Sense: http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2012/01/27/more-fro-yo-in-the-mix

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

And the Fro-yo bubble continues to grow.

"...plan to open Mix It, a self-serve frozen yogurt and cereal bar, in the West Broad Village shopping center in March. And the venture hopes selling bowls of cereal as well as fro-yo will give it a competitive edge in an increasingly crowded market."

From today's Richmond Biz Sense: http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2012/01/27/more-fro-yo-in-the-mix

And if you read deeper into the article, it will say a shop by the name of Zinga Frozen Yogurt has leased in Henrico somewhere. I will continue to look into this.