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Will Ukrop’s beloved baked goods survive MARTIN’S sale?

Posted at 8:32 PM, Jul 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-14 20:47:06-04
Ukrop's Pecan Pies at a MARTIN's grocery store.

Ukrop’s Pecan Pies at a MARTIN’s grocery store.

RICHMOND, Va. — Will Ukrop’s beloved baked goods remain on local grocery store shelves now that 10 of the 19 MARTIN’S stores are being sold to Florida-based Publix Super Markets while the chain’s new merged parent company opts to keep Central Virginia Food Lion stores open.

Bobby Ukrop with Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods said in a statement to WTVR CBS 6 Thursday afternoon he was hopeful the family’s products would continue to be sold.

“Supported by the overwhelming interest from consumers requesting our signature prepared foods and bakery items, we are confident that Publix and other retailers will offer a wide assortment of our products to meet the demand of customers,” Ukrop said.

Publix officials acknowledged the brand’s popularity with local customers, saying that Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods, along with other local Virginia brands, would be strongly considered.

“But, we are even more excited to introduce to customers our own quality products including our pies, cakes and other baked goods that are made in-store fresh daily in our scratch bakery,” Kim Reynolds, Media and Community Relations Manager for Publix Super Markets, said. “We believe Richmonders will come to love and appreciate Publix’s baked goods and deli products.”

Some of Ukrop’s product’s, including cakes, are available for online order, but must be picked up at MARTIN’s stores. In addition, the Ukrop’s bakery does provide products for Kroger stores across the region.

However, those products do not carry the Ukrop’s name since MARTIN’s retained market exclusivity from when the Ukrop family sold their 25 iconic grocery stores in 2009 to Giant-Carlisle, a subsidiary of Royal Ahold.

Ukrop's and Martin's baked goods.

Ukrop’s and Martin’s baked goods.

News of the latest sale comes after MARTIN’S parent company (Ahold) was ordered to sell their Richmond-area stores after it merged with the company that owns Food Lion (Delhaize Group).

Publix Super Markets announced plans late Wednesday to buy 10 Richmond-area MARTIN’S grocery stores. The majority of the new Publix would be located north of the James River and in the West End:

  • Publix 6421 Martin’s 3460 Pump Road Richmond VA 23233
  • Publix 6429 Martin’s 3522 West Cary Street Richmond VA 23221
  • Publix 6433 Martin’s 10250 Staples Mill Road Glen Allen VA 23060
  • Publix 6434 Martin’s 2250 John Rolfe Parkway Richmond VA 23233
  • Publix 6435 Martin’s 10150 Brook Road Glen Allen VA 23059
  • Publix 6438 Martin’s 13700 Hull Street Road Midlothian VA 23112
  • Publix 6439 Martin’s 7035 Three Chopt Road Richmond VA 23226
  • Publix 6494 Martin’s 3107 Boulevard Suite 15 Colonial Heights VA 23834
  • Publix 6498 Martin’s 9645 West Broad Street Glen Allen VA 23060
  • Publix 6499 Martin’s 4591 South Laburnum Ave. Richmond VA 23231

Publix previously announced plans to build a new grocery store on Nuckols Road in Glen Allen.

The 10 MARTIN’s locations will continue to operate until the Publix permitting process was completed. Grand opening dates were contingent upon the amount of remodeling needed in each store, which officials with Ahold USA, MARTIN’S parent company, said could take anywhere from six to 12 months per store.

All MARTIN’s employees were asked to re-apply for their jobs. Publix will hold job fairs closer to those grand opening dates of the remodeled stores.

The future remains uncertain for the nine MARTIN’s stores not part of the Publix’s plan:

  • 253 N. Washington Hwy Ashland, VA
  • 12601 Jefferson Davis Hwy Chester, VA
  • 6401 Centralia Rd. Chesterfield, VA
  • 200 Charter Colony Pkwy Midlothian, VA
  • 10001 Hull St. Rd. Richmond, VA
  • 7045 Forest Hill Ave Richmond, VA
  • 5700 Brook Rd Richmond, VA
  • 11361 Midlothian Tpke Richmond, VA
  • 5201 Chippenham Crossing Ctr. Richmond, VA
  • 1015 Richmond Ave. Staunton, VA

It is possible a smaller, independent grocer could take over the nine locations.

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