RECENT COMMENTS
It’s alive!
An update on the Church Hill Market .
From their email newsletter:
We at Church Hill Market have received many inquiries from folks in the neighborhood who are interested in the progress of the business, so it’s high time we sent a newsletter update to everyone! It is important to us to keep everyone in the community up to date on our endeavors, and this past year has been a busy and challenging time.
Firstly, we have updated our website to include a new online store that offers product reviews and customer profiles. We encourage you to visit ChurchHillMarket.com and create new user identifications. By doing this, users will be helping us to provide current information about the progress of the Market and alerts about special events and news. Our old listserv provided us with only e-mail addresses for those who signed up, and signing up with our new list on the new site will allow us to provide you with exciting new personalized services. Also, future newsletters will be sent through this new listserv, so it’s important for those interested in the Market to sign up by clicking here. This feature will provide for more timely newsletters than before, so you can expect to hear from us more often.
We are certainly waiting enthusiastically for the Church Hill Market building to begin its transformation. We would also like to extend our sincere apologies for the continuing state of our building. Hurdles keep appearing, but our staff is moving through them steadily, and we are still preparing for an opening in the fall of this year.
We have made progress even though it doesn’t show up at the corner of 29th and Broad. We officially gained the support of the Church Hill Association (thank you!) and won our zoning variance to use the upstairs for retail and to expand the footprint of the building so that we may offer a larger retail space and thus a larger range of products.
Our zoning approval triggered the tasks of architectural detailing and structural, electrical, and mechanical engineering, all of which have been time-consuming. We will be offering the pricing set of details for the Church Hill Market to contractors this coming month, and with construction costs in hand, we can complete our business plan and proceed with financing.
As many of you know, restoring buildings in our historic neighborhood is a challenge. It is important to retain the historic fabric that we are all so proud of, and financing such a project can be difficult. We will be seeking all the support possible though the City of Richmond’s Enterprise Zone funding, the Neighborhoods in Bloom program, and the Federal New Market Fund Tax Credits program. These monies are made available for projects such as Church Hill Market to encourage development in emerging neighborhoods. Otherwise, one might just as well “go do it in the ‘burbs!” If anyone knows of any other programs that may be of value to our goals, please let us know.
As with any business, Church Hill Market depends on the folks that support it. Therefore, and as always, we greatly value the support of our neighbors and enjoy receiving comments and questions. If you have any suggestions or concerns, please let us know. We want to know what you’re looking for from your neighborhood market! You can reach us anytime by e-mail at Info@ChurchHillMarket.com.
In our next newsletter, we will of course give you an update on what’s happening with Church Hill Market, as well as a little history on our founder, Mason Wyatt, who was born in the Fan District of Richmond and has pioneered in Church Hill since 1984.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the update!
How can we complain about “It must be Heaven” when we have been waiting on this place for years…the city needs to do something about the fact that nothing is going on with this renovation…anyone have any ideas what can be done to get this place back up for sale…
The City has not been responsive to any complaints received on this property via the website. Even though this building is not in code compliance (building is open to the elements on the second floor, the City simply deletes the complaint. This would make sense if this were an active construction site…but it’s not. It has been sitting gutted and decaying for years now! I agree, deadlines need to be set. Either bring the building up to code or sell it.
Give me a break. These people have been blowing smoke up our $#*& for years now. Many other properties all around them have turned over but they can’t seem to get it done. Now I see why, they’re trying to finance it thru funding programs. Looks like this place is destined to only exist in cyberspace. It’s a real shame to have such an eyesore in such a conspicuous place.
I have heard that it is sitting vacant and being used as a tax shelter and the guy that owns it has absolutely no intention of ever selling it.
Rumor, I know, but that’s the word on the street.
I really miss the corner store. Now I have to go to Blue Wheeler for my convenience items.
Can the Church Hill Association help out in any way? …maybe we can get a petition going and it will show the city that the neighbors want something to happen…or the property needs to be sold. The first step we can do…is hopefully none of the neighbors fed up with this building looking the way it does…is NOT ordering products online..this only supports the owners not doing anything…
Dear neighbors,
I sincerely apologize for all the time that has gone by without any improvements on the building at 29th and Broad. I have been diligent in my attempts to solve the predicament of having taken on this project that turned out to be so much more expensive than I anticipated. The cost of restoring the building with the deteriorated condition it was in when I acquired it is well over a million dollars without equipment or stock.
When I first started this it was with the idea of preserving this special property and bringing a gourmet and specialty market to our neighborhood. During the lengthy process of obtaining a Special Use Permit and Construction documents, I lost my manager/operator. This is the main thing that is holding me back at this time. If anyone has any ideas of how to change the course of this dilemma, please let me know. I need a buyer, investor and/or operator. I know we all want this Church Hill Market and what it could offer. Please know I’ll take all the help I can get and appreciate your patience and suggestions. Sincerely, Mason Wyatt
Good God…Mr. Wyatt! Your comments highlight just how out of touch you are! You didn’t realize how expensive the project would be when you embarked on this venture? I don’t know any small business owners that have started up by looking for handouts from the community to get the place going! If you are under-capitalized, I have a suggestion to solve your dilemma. Sell the damn building to somebody who will stop holding the neighborhood hostage with this eyesore. I would not normally call someone out as I have Mr. Wyatt. However, he threw himself into the Church Hill public eye when he lobbied the neighborhood for acceptance YEARS ago. His actions/inactions are deserving of some hits. Let’s see…he buys a dilapidated building for $250K, completely guts the structure so that it has no meaningful use, lobbies the neighborhood, planning commission, City Council for acceptance of a wildly grandiose plan that would bankrupt the most savvy operators. The neighborhood, the CHURCH HILL ASSOCIATION, and City Council get duped by this ludicrous assumption (let it be noted that the planning commission did not support the special use permit of this operation). They advised council against it and as it turns out, look who was right. Mr. Wyatt then hires architects and lawyers to further pursue this pipe-dream. Oops now he discovers that he can’t pay for it! And for years, this building sits idle in decay and remains a tremendous eyesore for everybody. Cut your losses, sell the building so that it may be converted to a reasonable small-scale business or residence. The plan was insane from the get-go and gets more insane as the days go on. Chris, I would be willing to personally get involved in an effort to force movement on this property. And I know many others that are just as tired of this garbage as you.
While I really wish this building was an operable small store, I think calling it an “eyesore” is going too far. It’s not ugly, it’s just not useful in this form.
Wow! #8 seems a bit strident especially considering that he was asking for suggestions.
There is a lot of looking gift horses in the mouth up here on the Hill.
You know, we don’t have to oppose everything.
Guys, don’t be fooled by this fella’s smooth words. Time is more telling of the truth than he is. N-O-T-H-I-N-G is going to happen to that corner building, and he has no intentions—obviously.
Don’t get suckered, people.
Mason, what is going to cost $1,000,000? You could renovate that building for a lot less than that. I think you are just trying to placate the neighborhood with smooth talk and no action. Just put the building on the market and let the economy dictate what will happen with it. You have been a blight on this neighborhood long enough.
WOW! That store was a disgusting, filthy, eyesore in a very conspicuous location that made anyone driving down Broad Street think they were in a rough neighborhood. Atleast this guy didnt spend his 250K and continue to operate it without trying to make any improvements! It looks much better than it did, even if it is not useful. I know a contractor who has inspected that building and according to him it is remarkable that the building even stands. It is going to be an engineering nightmare to maintain the historical integrity of that building, which this guy seems bent on doing, hooray for us! He could sell it to the first opportunist who can easily prove to the city that the only economically viable way to use that space is to knock it down and start over. He could find a millionaire to use personal funds to restore the market, but not many millionaires want to set up shop in an as of yet, ungentrified neighborhood. Or he can use the resources he mentioned and his own passion to accomplish what seems impossible. I for one dont miss that stinky market and am cheering for the success of the vision of Mr Wyatt!
#14 Huh??? “It looks better than it did”.
Nothing has been done to the exterior since the old Chimbo Market was in operation. At least it did not have blown out windows and a portion of the exterior wall open and exposed to the elements. It was an eyesore then and it is worse now compounded by the fact that it can serve no meaningful use in it’s present state. The single largest contributor to the blight in this area is this property.
Hopefully, if nothing else,they can stabilize the building so it doesn’t meet the fate of demolition as possibly 401 N. 27th Street.
I agree with #14. I’m glad to have the traffic drawn to 40oz bottles and choi-boy away from the block.
This building in nothing but a pidgeon’s nest. It’s not only an “eyesore” but it’s a health hazard.
Folks, the guy asked for suggestions and so far all I’ve read is ad hominem attacks. I happen to know one of the bidders for the project. His bid was over a million dollars according to the plans that had been drawn, and the other bid was right at a million. Complicated endeavor involving cranes, moving power lines, etc.
Frankly, I think the former laundry building at 27th and Marshall is a much bigger, and more immediate, problem than this building.
I grant that this one isn’t pretty to look at, but I’m so used to seeing it I tend to ignore it – plus, I know what went into getting the various permits, and I’m aware of what the bids were.
Matter of fact, the Blue Wheeler is pretty ugly.
Sorry I don’t have any suggestions for an investor.
Celeste, I agree the laundry building is a much bigger problem. My comment of stabilizing the building wasn’t said in malice. It was said to try and prevent it from reaching the point that the laundry did. Maybe put some $$ in to keep the outside elements out, ie, put some windows in and rebuild the outside wall, or whatevever it takes to keep it dry, and sound. At least until they can decide their next step.
all I know is that we moved to Church Hill two years ago this past February and that market was in the planning stages then. If no progress has been done on this in TWO YEARS then maybe the owner needs to cut his losses and bail. I don’t mean to be critical of Mr Wyatt – it sounds to me that he got in over his head and just doesn’t have the resources now.
I agree with what has been said. I do like the fact that we don’t have the traffic we once had on this corner..but the point is…we have very few restaurants and places to get “to go” food up here in Church Hill compared the The Fan. We need to take these buildings and make the most of them. At this point..I think this place just needs to go up for sale so that someone else can take the place and make use of the building.
Chris, Karen and Bob: I hear you. I’m not really trying to defend Mason Wyatt beyond a certain point. (I haven’t even seen him in several years!) However, the fact remains that he paid architects / engineers to do drawings, and the bids received to do the project according to the drawings came in a one million and over one million. The place is zoned commercial, and he also paid prob. a bunch to get special use permits, etc. So resale would not necessarily reimburse him, plus he’s got a dream of making this place work. That said….
Mason – here’s my suggestions. How about a different configuration that doesn’t cost as much? Having been married to an architect many years ago, I know how he had great grand dreams but his plans also cost his clients mucho dollars. What about talking to the higher bidder and asking him what he suggests? I know he really wanted to help you out, and he lives within a few blocks so has a stake in making it a viable business.
Secondly – if the place really is open to the elements, what about a lovely blue tarp to protect what is left?
Thirdly – what about partnering with a Virginia vineyard and selling wine, with take out or gourmet food being a second item? I know that’s not what you were going for, but hey, it appears the neighborhood isn’t really ready for high priced stuff just yet. Do any of the vineyards need or want an outlet store? How about finding and talking to Richard Carew, who used to own/run Strawberry Street Vineyard? I used to stop in there, rarely I grant, but it was a treat when I did. He had some carry out food as well as wine and cheese.
Finally, Mason, what I’m hearing is that folks want a place for either take out or milk and cigs. Well, milk and cigs are available down at either CVS or The Market. But decent take out is not. Perhaps that should also be something you think about…..good luck with it however it goes.
Mason Wyatt said:
I need a buyer, investor and/or operator.
Sounds to me like you want someone else to pay the bill and do the work while you sit back and collect the profit.
To paraphrase a famous saying, “Poop or get off the pot.”
Mr. Wyatt –
You say you one of your options is to find a buyer for the property.
What’s your asking price?
Thanks.
Thank you all for your comments, the good, the bad and ugly.
I am still actively trying to find an operator for the market. This could be a buyer, investor or experienced operator. I may be able to get construction financing with the right combination.
I am currently in a dialog with several people about selling the building for whatever purpose they may want but still believe that a market is the best thing for the neighborhood.
The main thing at this point is to try to move forward. I have faced the possibility/reality that I will lose a good portion of what it has cost to get this far.
I am reluctant to put specific solicitations and information here on the blog but make myself available at Mason@ChurchHillMarket.com
Please know that my heart, my intentions and my money are there to do the right thing.
Sincerely, Mason Wyatt
I have been thinking about starting a business here in the Hill. I have a good plan and it has been a dream for awhile.
However, I think I have changed my mind. The above commentary has been repeated in some form for every other potential business in our neighborhood. It appears the Hill is very small-business unfriendly.
Starting a business in a complex, expensive task that I have never done before. I might make mistakes along the way. I don’t think I want to expose myself and my family to this type of gossip and attack.
thanks Mr. Wyatt for your response. Neighbors are very excited about the market idea, but would just rather see progress sooner than later. No one wants to see this building fall into the wrong hands and become a store where you can buy single cig. or single beers..but it is just fustrating to know that something really great could be there and the neighborhood would fully support that just like we all rallied behind Capt. Buzzy’s..
I love the wine idea and something like Strawberry Street Market is something I think that would thrive in Church Hill..
Does Je have anything to do with this Church Hill Market? I remember seeing the CHM products in Jumpin J’s and hearing her talk about the zoning of the place…something to do with the upstairs…wanting a wine lounge…asking folk to write/call council members.
Mason, you probably ought to respond to Gray’s question about Je being involved. Just a suggestion.
This is all very interesting. My husband and I have not lived in Church Hill very long & so I had no idea how long this had been going on…one point I think needs to be made, on this subject & really in all of them on CHPN that concern businesses, is that, the City of Richmond is nothing short of a NIGHTMARE to work with. It’s like a joke. I work for a general contractor and we too have been held up by the city on one specific project in S.Barton Heights for ALMOST 2 YEARS. Really. It’s not our company. It’s the city. I can’t help but find it deeply sardonic…this city is even worse than New Orleans, where I grew up, when it comes to assisting start up businesses. One other thing, I deal with contracts all day and it is VERY easy for a project such as the one this dreamer is proposing to cost 1 million or more. After all, the city needs their slice!
Chris, to answer your concerns regarding the possibility of this project falling into the wrong hands, I made sure that the Special Use Permit included a restriction of hours and the type of products sold that excludes domestic singles, ATM, Lottery Tickets and other products that I felt would have a negative impact on the clientele and the neighborhood. This use follows the property no matter who owns it.
Also, I would like to clarify the question of Je of Jumpin’ J’s Java. Je was hired as a consultant for the Church Hill Market project. She is otherwise not involved, however her contribution to the business plan and product line was a great value to my efforts.
Again, I thank you all for any suggestions for an operator, investor or buyer for this project. I can be reached at Mason@ChurchHillMarket.com
Mason, I would love to have a shop along the lines of Ellwood Thompson’s Natural Market w/ fresh veggie’s and fruit, cheeses, good wine, prepared foods, and quality organic groceries. Between The Market on Main, the 17th Street Farmer’s Market, and the ChurchHillMarket, I could gather everything I need for my household. I’ve always wanted an ET in Church Hill.
Straight from E-T’s website:
“Do you wish you had a mid-sized, friendly market in the heart of your neighborhood? Maybe you and your neighbors have difficulty finding natural and organic products? Let us know! Ellwood Thompson’s is expanding and always looking for new locations. Email Ryan Youngman.”
ryoungman@ellwoodthompsons.com
Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike (and Gray), Thanks for your suggestion and particularly the quote from ET’s website.
I have taken immediate action (BTW Ryan was on my list) Here is what I sent:
Ryan,
I am writing to offer you a great new location for an Ellwood Thomson’s.
I own a commercial building at 2824 East Broad Street in Church Hill. I purchased this historic location to open a gourmet natural foods and wine shop.
I have a Special Use permit in place for this purpose, a full set of construction drawings, historic tax credits, Enterprise Zone grants available for the construction as well as the operation, ABC approval and plenty of neighborhood support.
I was one of the original owners of the Organic Food Company and Grace Place Restaurant some years ago and would like the opportunity to discuss our mutual interest in providing quality natural food and products to this neighborhood.
Best regards,
Mason Wyatt
Let’s all hope this will get a positive response. I will keep you posted.
Great going Mason! I hope it works out. By the way, my friends and I still talk about the Grace Place and it’s beautiful outdoor eating area.
It sounds like having ETs move into the site is a good idea- as long as they can work in tandem with and support the 17th ST Farmer’s market
Mason:
I would reference this very discussion if/when you talk with E-T. It frankly shows that there is a need and community support for it as well.
And if other CHPNer’s sent a little note to the above email..who knows what may become of it.
Just a thought…
TC said:
“However, I think I have changed my mind. The above commentary has been repeated in some form for every other potential business in our neighborhood. It appears the Hill is very small-business unfriendly.”
This couldn’t be further from the truth. I think everyone living on the Hill wants decent small businesses to move in. The problem is when a potential developer buys a building or location and then lets it rot year after year with never actually opening a business.
We want businesses, not empty storefronts in ramshackle buildings with “developers” saying “just a little while longer!” every few months while the property wastes away and makes our neighborhood a top spot for criminals.
Someone suggested there’s a problem with the city. Be that as it may, it’s clear several businesses have worked through those obstacles in a timely manner.
Great News…I agree with Mike. I think if neighbors write ET directly via the e-mail provided in the above posts..he will see there is a big interest fo ET to come to the hill. I know tons of people living up here that would support this endeavor!!!
Writing to ET’s at the above address will certainly be a vote for this to happen.
As of this posting I have not heard back from Mr. Youngman but remain hopeful.
I am still accepting suggestions beyond the possibility of ET’s as a candidate if anyone has one, contact information would be helpful.
Mason@ChurchHillMarket.com
William… wish you would give as strong of comment about the gutted historic building falling down at 401 N 27th.
But is the Church Hill Market building worth $1-million to fix? It isn’t “historic” or that old in fact. And could build a new structure replicating the old probably for the same amout if not less (minus fixtures).
Eric
any leads?
If I were an investor, it would really chill any conversations I was having with a property owner if I knew the neighbors were prodding the property owner to disclose every inch of negotiations on a neighborhood blog.
Any updates? The neighbors would really like to know what is going on with the market. With the new plans for the playground/park renovation going under way…it would be nice to know that this area of Church Hill including the market will finally get the upkeep it needs…please give us an update regarding the market.
m… at the same time we “neighborhood” residents would like to know what is going on with our “neighborhood” buildings that surround and possibly benefit us.
What is the latest?
Eric
It has been nearly 2-years since the original post that started this thread concerning the Church Hill Market building. Has everything fallen through (besides the roof)? Is anything being done to the building? What is the latest there?
Eric
I agree..I think something should be told to us neighbors about the plans for this building..it has been way way too long!
There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING going on with this building except continued decay. I am amazed that the City has not taken action on this blighted property. The fact that the western side of the building is open to the elements (just not easily visible from the streets), constitutes a significant code violation. Regardless of the numerous complaints the City has received about this building, nothing happens. Now, it seems as though it has been chosen as a site to illegally dump sofas and chairs. If this building were occupied, would people use it as a dumping ground? I doubt it. The building is a neighborhood nuisance for this reason alone.
well what can we say when the owner of this building also owns other properties in the surrouding area and probably has “an in” with the city. I agree…what could have been a really nice store and a real benefit to our community has turned into an eye sore and dumping ground. Someone was out there trying to sweep around the store and I was thinking to myself why even bother. The little market that was there before was better that the building being of no use. If there is anything I can do as a neighbor, please let me know who I need to write or what phone number I need to call to get through to the city that SOMETHING needs to be done!
concerned:
Follow this link to the City’s website for service http://www.ci.richmond.va.us/applications/citizensrequest/frmNewEntryType.asp
Maybe complaints in mass will have an impact. All of my complaints as well as those of others have fallen on deaf ears. I called public works 3 weeks ago in order to have them address the dumping on the sidewalk….the person who took the call said they would “expedite” a crew to pick up the abandoned furniture. Well, three weeks later, the furniture remains. I am sick over this building and the negative impact that it has on our neighborhood. It just seems as though nobody cares!
Mason Wyatt –
Well, why haven’t you hauled away the sofas that have been on the sidewalk alongside your building for 3 weeks now?
Kelly Justice:
Sounding a little “unglued” yourself!
My understanding is that when renovating the building, they uncovered substantial structural problems that would cost way too much to fix and still expect the market to make a profit.
He is looking for partners to share the cost with in the hopes that somehow he can go forward.
I suspect the current mortgage crisis might dry up some funding here. And, if we are lucky, at the “luxury Condos” at the end of Marshall and Broad. Perhaps even the Kings Brothel will be impacted.
As for the couches, I use them every day as both a place to sleep and a portable toilet
I have contacted the city and inspectors are going out to the property today.
As I understand it the trash furniture has already been hauled away. If not, let me know so I can follow up. Thanks.
When they gutted out the 401 N 27th Street building they saw they too were over their heads but people who buy these properties should know better when making the investment. That is why you have inspections “before” making a purchase as well as investigating any prior violations.
Eric