Retail in Richmond

[burt]

Regency Square, the west end shopping mall that has JCPenny, Sears and Macy's as anchors, is trying to remake itself under new leadership.

It was the most successful mall in the area at one time and still has a loyal following.

It recently lost a large chain restaurant (TEXAS DE BRAZIL) whis has relocated to Short Pump Town Center.

From yesterday's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...-un-ar-1784271/

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

Regency Square, the west end shopping mall that has JCPenny, Sears and Macy's as anchors, is trying to remake itself under new leadership.

It was the most successful mall in the area at one time and still has a loyal following.

It recently lost a large chain restaurant (TEXAS DE BRAZIL) whis has relocated to Short Pump Town Center.

From yesterday's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...-un-ar-1784271/

Texas de Brazil is just another prime example of a once-dominating mall crusting up to the newer facilities. Ann Taylor, GameStop, and Williams-Sonoma, with Texas de Brazil, all have stores that have closed in Regency and opened in Short Pump. Coincidence? But, on another hand, since Taubman dropped ownership, the website itself sort of got a new makeover. Here it is:

http://www.shopregencysqmall.com/

But I'm excited. I support Regency's long term plan all the way. I'm hoping the mall can use some smart tactics to preserve it's current shoppers. But even if that fails, no biggie. The surrounding neighborhood residents have assured that nothing will happen to their favorite community market

Edited March 23, 2012 by RVA-Is-The-Best

[burt]

A European style flea market will begin this weekend at 205 Hull Street in Manchester.

Here's the website:

http://aimrva.com/

[burt]

Williamsburg Pottery, on US 60 near Toana, will open its newly designed storefronts today.

Although Williamsburg is included in the Hampton Roads Statistical area, The Pottery's shops are only about 45 minutes from Richmond.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...day-ar-1820566/

Edited April 5, 2012 by burt

[540_804]

There is a sign up in the window of one of the retail bays at 101 W. Broad St announcing that "Frank's Custom Clothier" is coming soon.

This is directly across Adams Street from Bistro 27.

[burt]

There is a sign up in the window of one of the retail bays at 101 W. Broad St announcing that "Frank's Custom Clothier" is coming soon.

This is directly across Adams Street from Bistro 27.

Frank's Custom Clothier has a showroom in Scotts Addition and looks as if it will be a welcome addition to the downtown retail scene.

From Google:

http://frankscustomclothier.com/

[burt]

I just happened to see a few minutes of a story on HHD History Channel last night about the Bass Pro Shop in Springfield Missouri and heard that more than 4,000,000 people dropped by last year.

It made me wonder how the store in Hanover County outside of Richmiond is doing, but I can't find the figures anywhere.

Anyway, here's their website:

http://www.basspro.c...D=94&storeID=67

[burt]

Shockoe Slip based Boxwood Capital Partners has bought into the flourishing froyo company called SWEET FROG.

Frozen Yogurt shops are springing up all over the nation and Richmond is in the forefront.

Click the highlighted "Here" in this story to reference an April 11th piece about the froyo market.

From today's Richmond Biz Sense:

http://www.richmondb...t-flavor-dough/

[burt]

A new store selling men's and women's casual wear just opened at Stoney Point Fashion Park. It's called Vineyard Vines.

I was at the shopping center this week and didn't see many vacancies -- maybe two or three at the most. And one of the larger vacant spaces is advertising a company with "Love" in its name which is scheduled to open soon.

Everytime I go into Saks Fifth Avenue it seems busier than my last visit. They say the company is divided into about eight divisions, and Richmond is in the top four of its area.

I believe there are a total of 47 Saks Fifth Avenue stores in the US.

http://www.shopstony.../vineyard_vines

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

A new store selling men's and women's casual wear just opened at Stoney Point Fashion Park. It's called Vineyard Vines.

I was at the shopping center this week and didn't see many vacancies -- maybe two or three at the most. And one of the larger vacant spaces is advertising a company with "Love" in its name which is scheduled to open soon.

Everytime I go into Saks Fifth Avenue it seems busier than my last visit. They say the company is divided into about eight divisions, and Richmond is in the top four of its area.

I believe there are a total of 47 Saks Fifth Avenue stores in the US.

http://www.shopstony.../vineyard_vines

Yes, Burt, I believe that you are referring to "Love Culture". Love Culture is a women's clothing, accessories, and jewelry shop. It has stores all over the place, and of course is now planning it's entrance to Richmond. This would be their 4th store in Virginia. The other three are in Norfolk and NOVA.

http://www.shopstonypoint.com/directory/love_culture

http://www.loveculture.com/LoveCulture/StoreLocator.aspx#shopAdd18

Also, I never knew that RVA's Saks was the fourth in division! Heck, I didn't know Saks was divided into divisions. But it is definitely a confidence boost, and it certainly means Richmond is doing something right!

Also: A side note for tea lovers: Teavana, the massive tea retail brand is expanding into Stony Point. It currently has a location in Short Pump. You can guarantee I'll be visiting this sometime!

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

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.

Well, it's official. According to the official Facebook page, and me (who, being me, had to stop by and check if it was open), the Sweet Frog in Staples Mill Square is indeed is open!!

I was busy and had to work on assessments at home, but found the time to drive by, and was ecstatic to see the place packed inside with people at the tables and lined up at the counter ready to pay for their fro-yo! I really wanted to go inside, but will shoot for sometime this weekend.

Here's that Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/SweetFrogStaplesMill

It has tons of photos from when they were under construction, and also a newer photo with all their employees! The public was very active and attentive as to all the progress, as you will also see endless amounts of comments, likes, and questions.

Sweet treats!

[Downtowner]

They are also opening a Sweet Frog near by me in the Ridge Shopping Center where Fresh Market is. From looking at todays Richmobdbizsense it shows that an Advance Auto Parts store will be taking some space in the Parham Plaza Shopping Center next to Staples. That area of Parham road has really came back to life in recent years. So far over the past few years places such as Chick Fil A Fresh Market Staples Wal-Mart Game stop Panera Bread. That whole stretch of Parham road has been revived to a good point. I just wish they would tear down the old section of Parham Plaza where Hollywood video used to be and add on to the wal mart. I was told at one time that the old Hollywood video and Hechts Furniture store was gonna be torn down and the Wal-Mart was gonna be expanded but I have yet to hear anything further about that in recent years. Game Stop was one of the last tenants to move out of there and they told me last year they moved across the street to the ridge shopping center because wal-mart was looking at adding onto the parham road store but like I said have yet to of heard anything as of recently.

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

New fro-yo concept coming to RVA.....AGAIN....

MENCHIES FROZEN YOGURT, has apparently leased two seperate locations: one in Mechanicsville in Rutland Commons shopping center, and one on Broad Street in the Westgate shopping center (the one with the Martin's).

Read all about it in today's Pipeline by BizSense:

http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2012/05/18/the-pipeline-commercial-real-estate-roundup-for-5-18-12/

And here is their website to kind of give you a look at what the concept would be like.

http://www.menchies.com/

[burt]

After 54 years in Carytown, Leo Burke Furniture is closing its store.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...ing-ar-1952595/

[NYCJSW]

Somehow I missed this story. Leo Burke offered really good quality furniture and I didn't think their prices where that bad? Carytown is going to have a lot of space to fill. Also, as the article states - Pirouzan Oriental Rugs is closing. That's like a block worth of space that will be empty.

[burt]

Gander Mountain on I-95 north near Bass Pro Shop is closing, but another nearby gun store called Green Top Sporting Goods will take over the property.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/2012/may/31/gander-mountain-closing-store-green-top-sporting-g-ar-1956017/

[burt]

An upscale denim jeans shop is opening in a funky stretch of a street in Shockoe Bottom.

Located in a non-descript building at 13 South 15th Street, the store will sell jeans off the rack as well as fitting, designing and building them on site. You will be offered wine while shopping for a pair. Prices run upward of $175.

Men's haberdashery is gaining a foothold in the Shockoes. About a block and a half away the very upscale Ledbury Shirt store at 117 South 14th Street attracts a growing clientele.

From a recent Richmond Biz Sense:

http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2012/05/08/tailor-made-jeans-from-a-tailors-genes/

[KingDog]

A couple weeks ago, I heard a rumor from a friend, who knows someone, who knows someone else that's supposedly in commercial refrigeration and said that Wegman's was looking for land in Richmond and Charlottesville. Well, I don't place much stock in "friend of a friend" rumors, but wouldn't you know it, C'ville is getting a Wegman's: http://www.nbc29.com/story/18647390/wegmans-announces-plans-to-come-to-albemarle

So, I'm kind of thinking (hoping) that if they're going to drive trucks down 95 and out 64, they might as well make stop somewhere in Richmond along the way.

Edited June 7, 2012 by KingDog

[NYCJSW]

I'm sure they will be in Richmond in a few years. I posted this story in the Rumor thread back in October. There have been some articles in the C'ville papers for the last few months.

"Posted 09 October 2011 - 06:53 AM

Now, remember that this is a rumor thread so take it with a grain of salt. But I heard from someone in the know that Wegmans is scouting out locations in Richmond and C'ville. The person also mentioned a 2-5 year opening horizon. You never know but look at the rumors on here that were posted way before anything hit the wire."

[burt]

I'm sure they will be in Richmond in a few years. I posted this story in the Rumor thread back in October. There have been some articles in the C'ville papers for the last few months.

"Posted 09 October 2011 - 06:53 AM

Now, remember that this is a rumor thread so take it with a grain of salt. But I heard from someone in the know that Wegmans is scouting out locations in Richmond and C'ville. The person also mentioned a 2-5 year opening horizon. You never know but look at the rumors on here that were posted way before anything hit the wire."

I understand Wegman's stores are huge -- larger than anything now in Richmond.

Every time I go to Stony Point Fashion Park I notice that Dillard's has few shoppers. I wonder if it is making it financially? It is VERY large. I'm not aware of grocery stores in any of the upscale malls, but maybe a Dillards conversion to Wegmans would be practical.

[NYCJSW]

Yes, I've heard some of the Wegman's stores do $2-3 million a week in sales and are 2-3 times the size of a regular store. A really busy standard grocery store might do $1 million and your average store probably does $500K. They tend to be more of a destination grocery store and pull from a really wide area. I doubt we would see more than one in Richmond.

That Dillard's is an odd store. It is in a high end mall but that location does not have the best staffing. I don't think that would be a good spot for a Wegman's unless the city tempts them with a great deal.

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

BizSense reports that YAPPLE YOGURT has finally opened their shop in C-town -- yesterday.

The way Sweet Frog reacts to the opening to me is hilarious, but what is even more hilarious is the comments section underneath.

Sweet Frog seems quite uncomfortable with that new place opening next door. So of course they respond by setting up a mini "Sweet Frog-Land right outside their store -- right next to Yapple.

Read about Sweet Frog's cold response to Yapple's opening here:

http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2012/06/07/fro-yo-shop-gives-the-cold-shoulder/

[KingDog]

Yes, I've heard some of the Wegman's stores do $2-3 million a week in sales and are 2-3 times the size of a regular store. A really busy standard grocery store might do $1 million and your average store probably does $500K. They tend to be more of a destination grocery store and pull from a really wide area. I doubt we would see more than one in Richmond.

That Dillard's is an odd store. It is in a high end mall but that location does not have the best staffing. I don't think that would be a good spot for a Wegman's unless the city tempts them with a great deal.

From what I know, the older, more established stores in places like PA and NY are smaller than what they've recently been building. The one by my folk's place in Hunt Valley, MD was their biggest when it opened several years ago. 140,000 sq. ft. ! I believe most of their new stores are all in the same size range.

There's one in Fredericksburg which is the same size and not terribly far away. Was up there last weekend and I can say that I never in my life thought I'd be excited about a grocery store, but there you have it.

[NYCJSW]

I used to live by the one in Fairfax. It was so crowded the first few months after it opened. I once got trapped in the produce section with a large cart and could not get out - it was a traffic jam of shopping carts. It was nice but I don't really go gaga over grocery stores. I'm more into getting in and out fast. The prices, selection and service are top notch. They are always voted one the best companies to work for by Fortune Magazine. I had heard that the Fredericksburg store was not performing like the company had hoped. They got a HUGE deal to set up shop there - it was supposed to help change the image of Frederickburg.

[burt]

The Walmart proposed for Reynolds Crossing will be the smallest in Richmond and won't look like its sister stores.

From Saturday's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...nne-ar-1976611/

Edited June 11, 2012 by burt