Ukrop's in Richmond, VA
Posted: 18 Jan 2006 14:45
Ukrop's, our local large grocery chain, is closing one of their older stores at the end of the month. It was built in 1975 and is still pretty much unaltered from the exterior, though it has been somewhat expanded over the years, taking over adjacent space that was once an independent drugstore. This is a suburban store which is pretty small by today's standards. I would rank it as having fairly poor road access (and no pedestrian access to speak of).
Ukrop's has sort of a cult-like following around here. Some people I know insist on showing off the stores to out-of-town guests. They are a pretty nice operation, doing things like taking your groceries out to your car in the parking lot and loading them into your trunk, for example. No parcel pickup or cart corrals for the Ukrops folks. They have achieved a remarkable success also considering that they sell no wine or beer and are closed on Sundays.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch had two articles this past Monday on the closing. One is a sort of standard piece, but the other was a list of tips from a counselor on how to cope with the closing of the store:
Adjusting
Richmond Times-Dispatch Jan 16, 2006
Reminisce, talk about any feelings of loss, then embrace the new, counselors say:
Reality: The loss of familiar stores, staff and routines isn't "just about the closing of a store and the need to find a new one. Change or loss is hard for any of us, but especially as we get older," says Joan Garrabrant, a Richmond licensed clinical social worker. "This is much more than a grocery store. It is love in action. I hope people recognize that."
Trusting: "It is important to expect -- trust -- that there are people who want to help, and then engage them with a request," suggests Richmond therapist Sue Fuller. It may help if you write down a couple of key requests. "With an expectation that 'I can find new people who will understand and offer kindnesses,' the likelihood of having this experience increases. Simple but profound."
Starting over: "Go to the new store; introduce yourself to the manager; get to know the staff by name; familiarize yourself with the parking area and the store," says Reese Harris, a licensed clinical social worker. "Then make yourself seen and known there with some regularity."
Alumnus: "Let the new manager know that you have high expectations of the new site for your shopping" as an alumnus of a closed store, says Gale Davis, community relations and caregiver support manager of Senior Connections/Capital Area Agency on Aging. Tell him of your specific needs and challenges. Treat staff as sensitively as you're asking to be treated.
Celebrate: Attend the Jan. 28 reception at the Ukrop's at 8800 Patterson Ave. to thank staff and talk with other loyal customers about good times and sad feelings as the store closes for good at 9:30 p.m., Garrabrant adds. "Those rituals help us deal with major changes."
The other article I mentioned can be found here:
http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Sa ... 5855936229
Ukrop's has sort of a cult-like following around here. Some people I know insist on showing off the stores to out-of-town guests. They are a pretty nice operation, doing things like taking your groceries out to your car in the parking lot and loading them into your trunk, for example. No parcel pickup or cart corrals for the Ukrops folks. They have achieved a remarkable success also considering that they sell no wine or beer and are closed on Sundays.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch had two articles this past Monday on the closing. One is a sort of standard piece, but the other was a list of tips from a counselor on how to cope with the closing of the store:
Adjusting
Richmond Times-Dispatch Jan 16, 2006
Reminisce, talk about any feelings of loss, then embrace the new, counselors say:
Reality: The loss of familiar stores, staff and routines isn't "just about the closing of a store and the need to find a new one. Change or loss is hard for any of us, but especially as we get older," says Joan Garrabrant, a Richmond licensed clinical social worker. "This is much more than a grocery store. It is love in action. I hope people recognize that."
Trusting: "It is important to expect -- trust -- that there are people who want to help, and then engage them with a request," suggests Richmond therapist Sue Fuller. It may help if you write down a couple of key requests. "With an expectation that 'I can find new people who will understand and offer kindnesses,' the likelihood of having this experience increases. Simple but profound."
Starting over: "Go to the new store; introduce yourself to the manager; get to know the staff by name; familiarize yourself with the parking area and the store," says Reese Harris, a licensed clinical social worker. "Then make yourself seen and known there with some regularity."
Alumnus: "Let the new manager know that you have high expectations of the new site for your shopping" as an alumnus of a closed store, says Gale Davis, community relations and caregiver support manager of Senior Connections/Capital Area Agency on Aging. Tell him of your specific needs and challenges. Treat staff as sensitively as you're asking to be treated.
Celebrate: Attend the Jan. 28 reception at the Ukrop's at 8800 Patterson Ave. to thank staff and talk with other loyal customers about good times and sad feelings as the store closes for good at 9:30 p.m., Garrabrant adds. "Those rituals help us deal with major changes."
The other article I mentioned can be found here:
http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Sa ... 5855936229