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Zoning application made for new grocery store on 25th Street

Mayor Dwight Jones, Councilperson Cynthia Newbille, and the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority announced that a development team has made a rezoning application to develop a mixed-use residential and neighborhood retail development at the traffic circle at Fairmount Avenue, Nine Mile Road and North 25th Street, anchored by a Jim’s Local Market grocery store.


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“I am thrilled that this proposal is finally advancing,” said Mayor Jones. “The East End food desert has needed healthy groceries and good jobs for a long time, and I hope that success here can be replicated in other neighborhoods across the city.”

“I have heard members of the community asking for a full-service grocery store in this area,” said Councilperson Newbille. “And that is what is being proposed for the East End community. Further, we will be going to the community together with the developer to talk about how this project will look, the services that will be provided, employment opportunities, and other ways that it can enhance the neighborhood.”

Jim Scanlon, president of Jim’s Local Market, believes that the time is right to build on the success of their recent grocery store opening in Newport News. “We believe we have a business model that’s right for urban areas like the East End of Richmond – combining quality products, affordability for all customers, and a level of employee engagement that creates a culture of great customer service.”

T.K. Somanath, president and CEO of RRHA, added “We are doing everything we can to ensure that this is a development we can all be proud of, and that it will be the cornerstone of a stable, healthy East End.”

Steve Markel, senior member of the private team implementing the development, said, “Seeing what Jim has done in Newport News, and seeing the commitment the City, Housing Authority, and so many community partners are willing to contribute to the East End, has convinced me that this is the right thing to do.”

Councilperson Newbille and the development team plan to meet with neighbors to answer questions about the development and potential neighborhood impacts as soon as possible.

The zoning application made yesterday is the beginning of a months-long approval process and is the first of several steps that must occur before construction could begin. Design and layout of the grocery site and for accompanying mixed-use development is still in development.

RRHA has been acquiring lots and clearing structures (also) from the 1300 blocks of 24th and 25th Streets and the adjacent block along Nine Mile since at least 2006. At a 7th District meeting back in late 2006, a grocery store at 25th and Nine Mile was promised for the near future (“more towards 2 years than 5 or 10”). Mayor Jones reiterated the notion back in 2012.

It looks like this might really be happening, folks.

131 comments

John M 05/17/2016 at 12:09 PM

Ned Oliver says “Here are some drawings of the Jim’s Local Market planned for East End submitted as part of zoning application” https://twitter.com/nedoliver/status/732596017443577856

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Neighbor 05/17/2016 at 12:51 PM

I don’t understand why the east end is classified as a food dessert when there is the Fresh Market at 25th and Main, the Chimbo market, and a Martins at white oak village, and a Food Lion on government road.

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John M 05/17/2016 at 1:12 PM

@neighbor – Good question. The USDA defines what’s considered a food desert thusly: To qualify as a “low-access community,” at least 500 people and/or at least 33 percent of the census tract’s population must reside more than one mile from a supermarket or large grocery store (for rural census tracts, the distance is more than 10 miles).

I mapped out the existing grocery stores (including Chimbo Mart) and the proposed store (in yellow). This new store brings in Creighton, Fairfield, and Mosby, and part of Whitcomb – some of the highest density in the city, and which are currently underserved.

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grocery stores

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Knownhuman 05/17/2016 at 1:29 PM

Hopefully this spurs some competition with Farm Fresh. I’d like to see a few stories referencing the Great Grocery Wars of the 25th Street Corridor.

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Hill Runner 05/17/2016 at 1:49 PM

@neighbor Farm Fresh is not Fresh Market. Not even close.

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Scott 05/17/2016 at 5:02 PM

Is the City of Richmond subsidizing Jim’s Local Market like the City of Newport News is?

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crd 05/17/2016 at 7:32 PM

@10 I would think so but have no proof. If you hear otherwise, it would be interesting to hear. I would think the Dept. of Econ Dev and/or RRHA and/or Bon Secours might be involved in some way, financially, but that’s just me thinking out loud so to speak.

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Anonymous 05/17/2016 at 8:16 PM

I SO wish this where the plans for a Trader Joe’s!!!!!

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dontmincewords 05/17/2016 at 8:39 PM

Kinda sorta related to your map…. in other food deserts (e.g. south central), billboards were banned from advertising fast food. Does anyone feel like taking on Lamar at 21st & Broad? How is a billboard even allowed in O&H? I would love it more if it advertised something healthy and/or nonprofity. DM me if you know the history and know if it’s worth fighting.

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crd 05/17/2016 at 11:08 PM

@14 I don’t know anything about billboards being banned from advertising fast foods, but I would say that the one at 21st and Broad is benefiting Duke’s as they seem to own the space. I’m assuming Duke’s Auto get revenue from it. Can you explain what you mean by south central? And have you tried calling CAR, specifically Marianne Pitts, to ask about billboards in O and H districts? Her number is 646-7550 and she actually answers her phone. I’d be curious to hear, thanks.

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John M 05/18/2016 at 7:15 AM

Grocery store planned for Church Hill ‘food desert’
http://www.richmond.com/business/local/article_dee8c36d-09d5-5620-94db-18c565a12267.html

“Steven A. Markel, vice chairman of Henrico County-based specialty insurer Markel Corp., is personally financing the project to redevelop two city blocks at North 24th and North 25th streets and Nine Mile Road.

The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, which receives federal funds to operate low-income housing units, is selling the property to the developer at below-market rates.”

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church hill michael 05/18/2016 at 6:28 PM

…fantastic! Another plus for the community! Anyone have any news on how the location in Newport News is doing? And of course leave it to ‘neighbor’the to include his regular dose of negative spin.

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Dubois2 05/18/2016 at 6:39 PM

Just great news

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Eric Antrone Williams-Anderson 08/09/2018 at 1:07 PM

Eric Antrone Williams-Anderson.
1501 N.24th Street
Richmond Virginia

I want to be a Bagger boy packing groceies

Reply

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