Buttermilk & Molasses

Speaking of Ukrop's (Still Kickin')

The stores might be gone, but the name's still around. Ukrop's Homestyle Foods reflects an attempt by Bobby Ukrop and associates to keep the flavor going – and apparently to slog potato salad all around the country.

The Retail Merchants Association's First Friday Forum in June is going to let the company that replaced Ukrop's in the grocery business and the founder of the new Ukrop's Homestyle Foods tell the story of the new company's reinvention as a food producer and distributor.

It all happens from 7:45 until 9:15 a.m. on Friday, June 4, at The Westin Richmond at 6631 West Broad Street. Tickets are $30 for the general business/retail public; $25 for RMA members.

Ukrop's Has Finally Gone to the Birds

Rachel DePompa files her final Ukrop's story commemorating the official end of the multi-generational grocery saga that employed and captivated countless Richmonders over the years, including many who never realized how dreadful the local chains' birthday cakes truly were.

The Ukrop's name is still on the cafe's and on several food products, but make no mistake Martin's is now in charge.

Scanlon says, "We're finally done with the construction and now we can start doing what we do best serving customers and selling groceries."

It took millions of dollars and the re-hiring and training of 3,600 former Ukrop's employees. Twenty-five stores were changed over in six weeks. Each closing for a week and cramming in a cleaning, fresh coat of paint, new construction, new lighting, bigger aisles, and even new food products.

Customers appear to be taking to the change. Eugene Doughty said, "I am impressed. there's lots of people around here." Shirley Wilcox added, "We think it's wonderful. We think it's beautiful. They've done a wonderful job. The decor is nice and one thing it is it's bright."

Bright, it is. And a poll running along with the NBC12 story shows Richmonders split on whether they truly miss their old hometown grocer. If this were politics, a 59-41 split against Martin's would be a landslide; I wonder how it plays out in grocery land.

This I can say with some confidence – the next Times-Dispatch report on local grocery market share is going to be a must-read.

The You're Still Very Richmond If... Results Are In

Just in time for the next issue of Style Weekly to hit the streets, I arrive with news from the last issue – last week's special "You're Very Richmond If..." contest issue, which featured some mildly amusing entries that reminded me that in so many ways today's Richmond is not your father's Richmond.

The demographic shift that has happened in Richmond over the past handful of years has done wonders to strip away the veneer of social status that ruled the roost for so many generations. And while many – myself included – periodically pause to mourn the demise of Richmond institutions, their loss has created space for some new identity to emerge in Central Virginia.

When it finally materializes, I pray that it has no particular allegiance to the past – especially where you went to high school, or who your parents were.

With all of that behind me, here are a few gems from what editor Jason Roop promises will be the last "You're Very Richmond If..." contest ever. Or until it becomes very Richmond to hold the contest again.

• Your favorite monument is Arthur Ashe because it proves Richmond isn’t racist. — Mark Schairbaum (First place)
  

• You’re a runner and a smoker. — Lesley Bruno (Second place)
  

• An ex-boyfriend waits on you at every bar in town. — Susan Howson

Social Media Strategy Is the Next SMCRV Topic

This Thursday evening, join a hundred of your best online friends and former Richmonder-turned-social media expert Dean Holmes for a discussion on ways to evaluate your social media content. It's all part of the new-legendary Social Media Club of Richmond (SMCRVA) monthly events – one part learning, one part schmoozing, one part whatever happens after I go home to go to sleep at 9:00.

More deets on the event follow; registration happens here.

Today, Dean runs his Consulting Firm and is a hired gun to companies looking to drive Interactive Strategy, Consumer Engagements and Social Strategy Execution. He is personally connected to over 45,000 people through various Social Networks and considered a thought leader by his peers and has been involved with Social Media since 2004.

The event will be at The Firehouse Theater (where we did the music/film event in December).  There will be a cash bar available however, we we're unable to secure a caterer for this event, so no food (sorry).  That said, we plan to head next door to The Camel right after the presentation and they always have good stuff to eat!

Walk (and Talk About) Manchester

The Partnership for Smarter Growth continues is string of informative, urban-friendly walks and explorations this Thursday evening with their "Manchester Walk & Talk" featuring the city's director of planning and development review; the executive director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth; and developers and architects who have invested time, money and creative energy into the Manchester neighborhood. After the presentations and a walking tour, participants are invited to Legend Brewing Company for a beer and a sunset. Register for the free event here. (The event is scheduled to run from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 20.)

Two other Walk and Talk events are on the PSG docket, including the June 3 Walk and Talk Innsbrook. For details, visit the Partnership for Smarter Growth.

Live Blogging the TD's Public Square with Governor McDonnell

I'll Take That Bet On HOME

If you're known by the company you keep, I'm in sad shape this morning.

I spent my evening dealing cards with Nutzy the Flying Squirrel. Granted, he was only one of the handful of "honorary" dealers at last night's Bet on HOME (Housing Opportunities Made Equal) fundraising event at Plant Zero last night. And I'd be exaggerating if I suggested that Nutzy did anything more than wander around with his perpetual evil grin affixed to his over-large squirrel face – losing money, hand over claw.

In fact, Nutzy lost his first $1,000 at my table. It was, excuse the pun, exactly like taking nuts from a squirrel. The moment he gestured for that third card at the Blackjack table, we both knew he was roadkill.

Not that I knew anything about dealing cards, or that I was exceptionally good at it. Adding up those numbers gets complicated with seven players at the table – and after several drinks.

It was all in good fun, but as the organizers made clear, home ownership should be about choice, not about chance. And for almost 40 years, Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) of Virginia has worked hard to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in home ownership, decrease concentrations of poverty, increase the availability of affordable housing and help more people make smart choices about home ownership.

I first heard of HOME 20 years ago, when I wrote a profile for the Times-Dispatch on one of its early board members, and rediscovered the organization last year when I rolled up my sleeves and spent a day simulating homelessness. My partners on the street that day were the amazing duo Helen O'Beirne, policy director at HOME, and her fiance Barrett Hardiman.

Several hundred people turned out last night to have a good time and raise money for HOME. Showing up for a fundraising event is a good bet, but it's still a safe bet. HOME – and other organizations like it – need more people to put their cards on the table, recognizing that during difficult economic times, more homeowners will need education, support and assistance.

Step up to the table, and learn more about HOME here.

Local Markets Look Good Enough To Eat

For at least the next six months, smart Richmonders can avoid Martins and connect with their friends and neighbors. With almost 20 local farmers markets stretching from Goochland to Shockoe Bottom and from Chesterfield to Ashland, the options for fresh and local foods in Richmond have never been better. (Just ask anyone who shopped at Integral Yoga when it was next to Plan 9 twenty years ago!)

Don't believe me? Check out the amazing images at the Richmond Area Farmers Markets Flickr pool, which already boasts close to 100 photos from the local markets that have launched just in the past week. (The above photo was taken by pjpink at the South of the James Market.)

Just want to go take your own pictures – and stock up on fresh veggies, meats, baked goods and crafts?

Go check out the Richmond Good Life's comprehensive snapshot of all of the local markets (including locations and times).

Rock With The Cool Girls

I can't help but think of Greta Brinkman when I think about women who really rock. When she landed in Richmond in the mid-80s, there weren't a lot of women with the chops to pick up a bass guitar and make punk rock happen. And there weren't a lot of guys, frankly, who were interested in women musicians – unless they were hot. Greta (pictured above) was one female musician who broke free of Richmond's punk restraints, going off to New York to play with Debby Harry and Moby before returning to Oregon Hill.

On Thursday, Rumors is hosting an all-girl Rock Lotto:

Rock Lotto is where a bunch of musicians from the Richmond Virginia area sign up and draw numbers from a hat to be placed in a band with four other people. These random groups of five then have over a month in which to write and perform a set including two original songs and one cover that combines their collective experience and taste. Because the drawing is completely random, the instrumentation of each band won’t necessarily be the traditional drums bass guitar, some musicians may find themselves called upon to play an instrument they wouldn’t normally, but therein lies the fun.

You can get details, submit an application or apply to be a volunteer (or to coach one of the newly formed bands) at the Rumors' website.

More details can be found on the events' Facebook page.

Going Backwards At Willow Lawn

On the surface, plans to uncover the city's ancient Willow Lawn and turn it back into the open-air shopping destination that once drew Richmonders in droves sounds like a good idea. Until it becomes clear that the idea is to simply make the mall a popular driving destination – rather than take advantage of a location and design that call out for a green, pedestrian-friendly redevelopment effort.

Richmond BizSense has the details on plans for the mall:

Federal Realty Investment Trust is hitting the reset button on Willow Lawn, with plans to remove the enclosed portion of the mall.

The mall’s owner was approved for a demolition permit to take down the interior portion of the mall in February.

According to a commercial broker who asked not to be named, the owners plan to bulldoze the interior space and add parking in what is now the interior mall.

“You will be able to drive from Starbucks all the way to Kroger,” the source said.

Because walking might actually nibble away at a few calories from that macchiato.

Given Willow Lawn's proximity to multiple GRTC bus lines to the north and west, as well as a reasonably soft bleed into residential communities on three sides, it would have been great to see a more visionary approach to continuing to soften the mall's footprint with pathways and greenery.