October 7, 2006
@22nd and Fairmount
What is the future of the currently-vacant Wally’s Supermarket building?
ABOVE: 2125 Fairmount Avenue (2006)
The mixed retail/residential building at 2125 Fairmount Avenue (city GIS info) has sat mostly vacant for the past few years not from owner neglect but due at least in part to the owner’s respect for the wishes of the neighborhood. Appearing at Saturday’s monthly New Vision Civic League meeting, the building’s owner Mr. Joyner (of JMJ Properties, Inc) reported that, because of the stated desires of the NVCL, he has declined several offers to put a corner store, a store-front church, and an alcohol-serving restaurant in the space.
At one point, the bulding was to house a hair salon, but a robbery in the area of one of the principles caused them to back out of the project. A later B&E at the vacant property saw the theft of the remaining computers and office material. Recently the upstairs has been in use as a recording studio.
Mr.Joyner appeared before the New Vision memberhip to get further input on what might be a good fit for the property and the neighborhood. As the vacant house next door is also owned by Mr.Joyner, it was recommended that Mr.Joyner be put in touch with local development agencies that have been so successful with the residential redevelopment in the area. This would mean that the house next door would be restored and that the commercial building would probably be torn down to have a house built on the lot.
6 Responses to “@22nd and Fairmount”
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please GOD dont tear down the commerical building just cuz…. open up a brand new store there or sumthin…. bring retail in church hill back to life (esp: along Fairmount ave) Come on people
You also know what i like to see alot more of being built in church hill???…. I LIKE TO SEE
ALOT MORE ROW HOUSES GOING UP…. IF RICHMOND IS EVA GOING TO BE, THAT SO CALLED CITY… IT NEEDS TO BE DENSER… I HOPE THE CITY CAN REACH AROUND DC TO BMORE POPULATION ONE DAY… AND NO BIGGER
I just got approval from the ABC to open a liquor store there. I will carry a fine assortment of 40 oz.malt liquor and wine from such vineyards as Madd Dog and Boones Farm.
It’s a lovely building and a nice location. I laud Mr. Joyner’s respect for the neighborhood. Do you think a coffee shop with internet access would survive there yet?
2.5 years later, still vacant. But the house is done!
The house next door was fantastically restored by Better Housing Coalition. The store sits, for sale to anyone that would like to buy it.