Ukrop’s Officially Sold To Giant-Carlisle, Will Be Known As Martin’s By March
February 8, 2010 - 8:51 pm
By Trevor Dickerson
Dutch company Ahold, parent company of grocery store operator Giant-Carlisle, today announced that the acquisition of Ukrop’s Super Markets is now complete. The 25 Virginia stores, located around Richmond and Williamsburg, will begin operating under the Martin’s Food Markets name later this spring.
“Since the sale was announced December [17th], we have been talking to customers and associates about what they would like to see change and what should remain the same,” said Rick Herring, president, Giant-Carlisle division and operator of Martin’s.
Herring even alluded to the song performed by local singer Meade Skelton, “How Am I Supposed To Live Without Ukrop’s,” saying, “Regardless of how we’ve received their comments –sometimes in the form of songs and poems – we have been listening to what the community was saying.”
The changeover to the Martin’s brand will be gradual, according to company officials. Sometime in March of this year, stores will be open on Sundays and sell carry-out beer and wine, similar to the nine Martin’s the chain currently operates in Virginia.
Many familiar things that customers are currently used to will remain, though. The Ukrop family will continue to supply Ukrop’s kitchen and bakery products to stores, including their famous White House Rolls, Rainbow Cookies and chicken salad, to name a few. The Ukrop family is providing food to the stores under a new business and delivered their first batch of baked goods to Richmond stores today.
“Though the name on the front of the store will change later this spring, customers can expect to find the same friendly store associates including pharmacists,” Herring said.
Bobby Ukrop cited “changing lifestyles and values and new competition” among some of the reasons for his family’s decision to sell the business. Ukrop’s was the number one grocer in the Richmond area until this year. He highlighted the new owners’ global buying power and said customers will benefit from lower prices on many goods. “They’re a lot like us,” Ukrop added about Giant-Carlisle. “[They have the] same value and same culture as us.”
The family plans to stay involved in local events and giving, noting that they will have a “major role” in such things as the Ukrop’s Christmas Parade and Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K.
early april the stores will be converted then the rest of the support center employees will be let go….so sad
I will most definitly miss Ukrop’s because i will miss all of my favorite friends that wants me to take them out to their cars and the managers i will NEVER EVER change because i still Beth Davis and Ginnie Stevens along with Jean. i will always always work there my whole entire life i will NEVER EVER QUIT because Coustomer Service is my best friendly way of coummunicating with people and plus i am a people person! Anne Meacham
Hope you are allowed to take groceries to the car in a cart by yourself now.
How come the Ukrop emlpoyees are not allowed to have a Union? Other Royal Ahold employees have a Union contract that provides living wages, affordable Health Care,and retirement. Why not in Richmond? Why not give employees a free and fair choice? What is Martins afraid of ? Seems to me, that is what Americia is all about! Why cannot employees have a choice and a real chance at the Americian Dream?
Well put, Mark, and I couldn’t agree more. What always made Ukrops special was the fact that it was family – and locally – owned. Now, Ukrops will become “Martins” and will have to answer to an overseas parent company. And where does that leave the employees we customers have befriended over the years? Well, that depends… If I’m not mistaken, doesn’t this new overseas company also own Giant Food up in DC? I have a few friends who work there, and they love their jobs – not to mention their health insurance and retirement plans. Happy employees equate to a most pleasant shopping experience for us customers. And BTW – those Giant employees have a union….
Let’s not forget that Richmond already has the model for “Overseas Owned/Non-Union Grocery Stores”….Food Lion!!!
Please, Ukrops/Martins/Ahold – use the model that is working at Giant Food. Please don’t turn MY favorite store into Food Lion!