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Marina Safeways in Richmond - Any Left?

Posted: 15 Jul 2007 22:41
by Groceteria
I made a trip up to Richmond this weekend without doing any real research first.

I was a little surprised that I found only one semi-unaltered Marina Safeway building, on Jefferson Davis Highway. The neighborhood gave me the willies, so I didn't get a picture. Other than that, though, nothing, although I did find one "hidden" one, now a Total Wine, in the Westland Shopping Center on West Broad Street; the arch is still visible inside. I think there's a very-much altered one in the 360 Shopping Center on Hull Street Road (no, that's not a typo) as well.

I also found a disguised gable (with a drop ceiling) in the Laurel Park Shopping Center at Hungary and Woodman. And I saw a couple of 1950s pylon stores.

Since I may be back there soon, are there other Marinas? Dave? Anyone?

BTW, I'd forgotten how much I love Richmond...

Posted: 15 Jul 2007 23:53
by Dave
I've got a picture of the Jeff Davis one on the Old Richmond Grocery Stores website. It's now Big Apple Market. There's a fairly unaltered Colonial just up the street (Gene's) as well.

I'm fairly fearless around most of Richmond, but it does get a little dodgy around the ol' Big Apple if you don't know what you're doing and where you are. Same can be said for a lot of places.

I'm pretty sure the 360 West one is gone. I'll let you know if I find out differently. The Westbury Pharmacy at Three Chopt and Ridge near Regency Square may still have some marina attributes inside. Other than those, I'm pretty sure they're all gone.

I'm sending you my location spreadsheet to play with.

Posted: 16 Jul 2007 01:16
by Groceteria
I can't seem to find that photo on your site. Thanks for the info, though. It's sad there seem to be none left around Richmond.

I'm not afraid of many neighborhoods either. I've just found that any store with a lot of people just sort of loitering out front is often not a great one to try to photograph, especially when you're driving alone. I actually had a guy chase me once when I snapped a picture of a store in Maui. Same happened once in Daly City CA. And these weren't even sketchy neighborhoods.

Posted: 16 Jul 2007 06:12
by Dave
When I was doing due diligence commercial property inspections, I found the best time to take pictures is after the morning rush hour and before noon on a weekday - preferably when school is in session. The guys who are just hanging out usually aren't awake then.

The only time I ever got chased was in Raleigh, NC after taking pictures of an apartment building not too far from the State Capitol. It always helps to have your escape route figured out.

Posted: 16 Jul 2007 17:25
by Dave
The Marina at 360 West is indeed gone. I was in there today and there are no Marina traces at all. In fact, I'm sure the Marina was razed and new space built on the site. Whether or not that was done by Safeway prior to their leaving Richmond, I don't know, but I'm pretty sure it came after they were gone.

As such, the property has no grocery store connection as it exists today, so I'll be taking down the picture of it on the Old Richmond Grocery Stores site.

Posted: 16 Jul 2007 21:53
by Mr. Kmart
I'm not positive but I think there might have been one in Fairfax, VA?

Posted: 16 Jul 2007 22:49
by Groceteria
Mr. Kmart wrote:I'm not positive but I think there might have been one in Fairfax, VA?
There are several still standing in the greater DC area, where Safeway still operates, but that's pretty far removed from Richmond.

Re: Marina Safeways in Richmond - Any Left?

Posted: 20 Mar 2009 20:09
by Dave
kg4peq wrote:There's an old marina Safeway in Mechanicsville, a few miles east of Richmond. It's at the intersection of Atlee Road and Mechanicsville Turnpike in "downtown" Mechanicsville, in the Mechanicsville Shopping Center. It apparently was expanded somewhat at one point. The aerial view here reveals the marina roof behind the brick walls.

The marina roof is briefly visible as you come down the hill toward the shopping center from Route 360/I-295, and the arches are still visible inside. It's currently a flea market.
I was in the flea market last week. The marina wood and arches inside are still intact.