First sign of the Ukropalypse? Ukrop’s Stores Bought Out

First sign of the Ukropalypse? Ukrop’s Stores Bought Out

The news is that Giant-Carlisle, a company owned by Ahold USA, is buying Ukrop’s grocery stores as the Ukrop family exits the retail grocery business.  In a press conference today at the Sheraton Richmond West, in a room with stained carpet, a recessed ceiling, mirrored wall panels, an oppressive brass chandelier, and scuffed baseboards, Richmond’s Bobby Ukrop addressed members of the press stating that the acquisition is a friendly one, and that he and his family will continue to stay involved in the Richmond community.  In fact, he will be the CEO of a company whose main client will be Giant-Carlisle providing goods to the former chains of Ukrop’s.

The good news for employees (“associates”) of Ukrop’s is that Giant will be hiring them, though nothing has been decided about the associates who work in the corporate office.

Even Nostradamus could have predicted (in Quatrain 17 v 12, perhaps?) that the event would start a little late (4:09 than 4:00 sharp), while the camera technicians  loomed uncomfortably in the back like harbingers of death, famine, war, and pestilence (though we don’t like to talk about 6, 8, 12 and 35 like that).

Many press members (including myself, under the handle @lizaio) arrived for the grand announcement (and, through some sorcery, managed to get press kits, of which I received none), and live-tweeted the event, though some of us came away with different conclusions about the future of the Ukrop’s grocery stores.  According to the representative of Giant-Carlisle and Bobby Ukrop himself, nothing will change right away, including the store’s Sunday closings and the fact that they don’t sell alcohol.  Decisions to change such things will be made later in 2010.

Here is a link to Ahold’s press release.

Ukrop’s has been a Richmond, Virginia staple for more than 50 years, and the Ukrop’s family has been very involved in the community.  When asked about their plans to honor their charitable works, Bobby Ukrop had the following to say:

The press release states that this acquisition constitutes a $140 million dollar deal.

There were a lot of different press people present, who asked some good questions about jobs, Fuel Perks (which they are keeping for now and will honor all accrued thus far), and more, but many people seemed to be concerned with the changes that might occur to our beloved foodstuffs (like Rainbow cookies and White House Rolls – remind me to tell you a funny story about that) and whether or not the store would open on Sundays and sell wine and beer.  One guy did follow up and ask about the corporate jobs, to which there is no clear answer, and one person did ask how this impacted the Ukrop family.

When asked how long his family had been considering selling, Bobby responded, “About 50 years, since I was ten years old.”  He went on to say that in any family business you discuss when the right time to sell would be, and that for his family, this was it.  He quoted Ecclesiastes – there is a time for everything.

Funnier story I told you to remind me about – Bobby presented the Giant-Carlisle fella with a package of White House Rolls. Hopefully those will still be available for years to come. If they aren’t, that guy better freeze them so he can sell them on eBay.  Or pull a loaves and fishes trick with them.

The end of an era? Indeed? The end of Ukrop’s twice-baked potatoes? Lordy, I hope not. What are your fondest Ukrops memories? What do you see happening to our once proud Ukropolis.  Is this is the first sign of the Ukropalypse?

**incidentally, I think that my buddy Matt coined the term “Ukropalypse” back several months ago when the rumors starting flying about the Richmond Baseball team names.  Props to Matt.  You’re awesome.  For those of you unaware of Matt’s awesomeness, stay tuned first of the year for the beginning of our Richmond blogger series, which will star Matt in the first post.

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