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The future of the Church Hill Market?
09/05/2009 12:45 PM by John M
The corner store that was never quite the Church Hill Market changed hands at the end of August and is now owned by the eponymous 2824 EAST BROAD LLC. Anybody heard any plans?
I sure hope something happens. Would love to see the mixed of mixed use make a little more of a comeback in the area. What a great potential with that building in that spot! Though it had alot of work done and certainly needs quite a bit more. Goood luck!
Bada Bing Deuce!
Wow! This is so cool! I cant wait to see how the new owner will let this building rot? It’s pretty hard to develop a new spin on doing nothing? I am sure it involves balloon, bunting, and mimes…
I was told by the City that one partner just bought the other out. If that’s true nothing will change.
The best thing that can happen at this point is that someone else finds another building to open a market in with a similar purpose and idea, that way, we can stop wondering if this one will ever open because by then no one will care.
I understand that this was bought by Monument Construction. They’ve got a good record of getting things done.
I’ve been in touch with one of the new owners. They will be stablizing the building while waiting for a special use permit (4 to 6 months). the sup does not mean its use will change but may.they plan on contacting the local civic associations soonish.
UPDATE – The outside will be completely restored to it’s original historic facade. The plan includes one 1500 sq. ft. Commercial/retail space and 3 nice apartments.
I hope the community will be accepting of this plan.
Special Use Permit? That could take a year or more to work through the system.
Monument Construction does have a decent track record if they are the new owners.
#9 Shouldn’t take anything like a year.
Special Use Permits are 3 to 6 months.
Good news Diana!
I’ve toured the building before. It’s a great space and three aparments would work wonderfully.
I’m very excited to hear about these plans! As a resident of the 2800 block, you have my support.
Friends and neighbors, I am taking this CHPN forum to express to you my sincere regrets for failing to develop the Church Hill Market property.
After spending lots of time and lots of money in due diligence it became clear that construction cost were way beyond my expectations and capabilities not to mention the downturn in real-estate and the economy in general. It was and is my dream to have a great grocery in our neighborhood. Contrary to some comments I never intended to let the building sit there like it did. It’s my neighborhood too and has been since 1984.
I took the offer from Monument Construction because I thought that they had the best potential to get this building renovated and am hopeful that they will include the possible grocery as part of their plan. I was granted a SUP for the grocery with great support from The Church Hill Association and the neighborhood so the path has been made with City Council and hopefully that will make the application process short. For the record the new owners are not the LLC mentioned at the top of this blog. Contact your City Council Representative or the developers to express your preferences for the use of this last opportunity to have a corner market in the neighborhood.
Thanks to those who have supported me and I hope that the disgruntled will find some solice in the new possibilities.
We love you, Mason! You have many friends and supporters!
Mr. Wyatt,
Thanks for what must have been a hard note to write. Your burden is lighter and Monument has a great project ahead of them.
Mason, thanks for writing in. I’m sure it has been tough to go through all this. Best of luck with future endeavors.
I wish the area could support a market. it would be great for me being so close. But I have my doubts. I would guess it will end up being offices or something of that nature. I’m just delighted it will be restored and not be the eye sore it is today.
@Post 18, with all due respect, I DO think this area can support a market. The former market in this location did well, the Family Supermarket at 24th & Jefferson does a bang-up business and I understand the Blue Wheeler is busy, too. So, Church Hill has a history of successful corner markets. There was also a market in the Buzzy’s location, too.
By referring to the above businesses, I’m not suggesting that a new market at Broad & 28th needs to carry the same merchandise or look like the aforementioned businesses.
From what I’ve read here, it sounds like the new owners want to restore the building in a historically appropriate manner, and thus, it carries that they are sensitive to the population in the immediate vicinity of the 28th & Broad location. Thus, I would anticipate the new business would cater to the residents in the nearby/walking distance vicinity.
Something like the Strawberry Street Market (in the Fan) could work well in this location.
@19 Post. Yeah, the old Chimbo Market did so well in this location that the owners decided to get out of the food business. Please don’t make sweeping comments about something you obviously know NOTHING about.
And the only thing that kept Chimbo rolling for as long as it did was cigarettes and beer…Don’t need that again. If you want a place like that, why not advocate parking it near your place.
I have lived a half block from the Chimborazo Market for 16 years. This market did subsist on convenience items, but they also catering to the needs of its patrons. For example, they expanded their wine selection (which really wasn’t bad) in response to requests for them to do so. This market did not create a nuisance to the neighborhood. I still miss the Chimborazo Market because now the only place nearby that fulfills this need is the Blue Wheeler. I would definately patronize a market here. I agree that a market patterned after the Strawberry St. market would work well.
Taloose/Post 20, I tried to make it very clear my 2nd paragraph of Post 19, that I’m NOT advocating for a duplicate of any current or former market that existed on Broad Street (that would be your referenced Chimborazo Market).
I don’t know how I could have been more clear about that. Did you stop reading after the first paragraph?
Note that I also stated that I recommend something similar to a “Strawberry Street Market” for Broad and 28th. If you are familiar with that market in the Fan, you’ll know that it doesn’t focus on cigarettes…but it sure does have a really nice beer and wine selection, along with food, sandwiches, pre-made ready to heat foods, etc.
You came down kinda hard on me in your post, I think if you go back and re-read my entire Post #19, you’d see that your remarks are inappropriately aimed.
It is true that the old market sold mostly beer and cigs (and some candy). I’m just 3 buildings away so the traffic passed my house leaving trash as they walked by.They had a locked door where you had to be buzzed in. Any fresh produce was limited and dated and frozen stuff was petrified. I don’t think they did do well since they started to take in dry cleaning and do alterations as well. I feel the new owners have the right to decide what’s best for them to do with their property within the limits of zoning.
As a newcomer to Church Hill and a first time homeowner, I have to say, I truly hope that his will become a grocery/market. My last apartment was right beside Shields Market. I was there before it changed hands to the owners of Joe’s Inn, and let me tell you, the previous owners were in the same bracket as the Blue Wheeler. When Joe’s Inn renovated and reopened, it was AMAZING! We’ve actually tried to convince them to purchase the Church Hill Market.
What I’m trying to explain is that since the closest market to me is the Blue Wheeler, I would love to see this reoppened in the same style as the new Shield’s Market. Don’t get me wrong, I patronize Blue Wheeler, but the people that congregate on the street and sidewalk after dark, make me very uncomfortable and I won’t send any of my female friends there alone after dusk.
So here’s to high hopes of a new market! Best of luck to the new owners, I promise my patronage!
Post #19 Keep in mind the City will not approve anything less then a full and appropriate restoration of that property. So, it’s not an indication of their sensitivity to the neighborhood. They do have a good reputation and whatever they do it will be a nice change. Their location is 29th and Broad … not 28th.
Just curious…any progress on this?
I understand the developers are seeking a Special Use Permit and will be presenting at the next Church Hill North Association meeting and and are in contact with folks at the Church Hill Association as well towards garnering community support.
Any updates?
Last I heard they are waiting for thier special use permit from the City.