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New retail on 25th Street
05/24/2010 11:15 AM by John M
The retail wireless store Mega Tel recently opened at 2501 North 25th Street, next to the Richmond Coin Laundry. Wireless Plus looks to be opening soon at 1110 North 25th Street.
Is this progress? Another cell phone store? *sighs*
Yes, it’s progress (in my opinion). We have vacant store fronts finally being occupied in this area. This will provide more “eyes on the street” leading to greater safety and stability in the area. Combine that with the long-term potential results of the 25th St/Nine Mile Rd Charette, and I think we’ll see some great progress!
Two cell phone stores that close together? Just add in a nail salon, wig shop, and barber shop, then we will have our own mini Hull St. right up here on the Hill. Ugh.
I think its a good move. It’s retail going into previously vacant space, and the stores allow residents to buy in their own neighborhood the goods/services that they want.
Hull Street has the new Croaker’s Spot and Papa’s Pizza, and has a suprising amount of other commercial/office/residential space coming online in the very near future. We should be so lucky.
John, I hope you’re right. Hull St is an embarrassing eyesore and it is wonderful to see a few bright spots on that side of town. However, I would welcome any other type of commercial venture that is more diverse than just another cell phone store (sorry, make that two cell phone stores). I wish I could buy the goods and services I want in my own neighborhood, too. *still sighing*
Ï agree kaykay.’
I do appreciate businesses starting up up here and I truly wish a vibrant business and residential community will soon flourish. However, i am not sure i need another hair saloon on my one mile radius, nor would another 40store improve my life significantly. I would chain myself to the walls to preserve some of the old signature stores up here, (like the above mentioned) but i will also hold the torch for some new stores that could shorten my travels to the offensive corporate retailstores you-know-where. Stores up here that could supply me with local, healthy grains and vegetables to a fraction of the price – or equal to the price – of the SUPER-DUPER markets.
In short – Any business that will increase the well being of our residents, our intake of nutritions, vitamins and minerals, our interaction in community projects… all those ventures will have a future.
All others are speculators, have questionable souls, alternative agendas, and will ultimate fail.
Such is the landscape of the future
just my 2 cents
Anyone who does not sell wholesome grains and vitamins has a questionable soul and is doomed to fail. This is undeniably true. Speculators, leave our neighborhood, and bring your overly processed grains with you!!
Well, Tinsel, the thing is, they won’t necessarily have a future. Que Pasa closed, and Church Hill Herbs, and Jumpin’ J’s — meanwhile, the 40 sellers, pizza by the slice guys and overpriced chips and candy bar stores are flourishing.
The sad fact is that the merchants in the neighborhood have to cater to the captive audience — the people without the means to get elsewhere, or, in some cases, shop online. Because as much as a neighborhood can *say* that they would love a health food store or a gourmet market or high end wine store, a lot of these same folks are going to pick up those items when they’re out at Short Pump or Ellwood Thompson’s or wherever, because it’s convenient and possibly cheaper, or buy them online, where it’s definitely cheaper.
We have the same situation in South Side. The Seven Hills Market, which Woodland Heights treated like such a boon to the neighborhood retail scene, didn’t last long at all. The building sat vacant for a couple of years and now there’s supposedly a new restaurant coming in its place but it seems to have stalled out in the renovation stage. Meanwhile, the mini-mart and Caribbean nightclub at the same intersection have been going strong for 10+ years despite constant opposition from the neighborhood association. In the end, money talks, and the folks spending money in the neighborhood are the folks who want cell phones and 40s.
Anne #8, I think you are correct. These merchants are catering to the largest number of people who will buy their goods. Selling fresh produce and grains doesn’t make a profit for these stores. Selling cell phones, or 40s, or chips and lottery tickets, then they make money. Meanwhile, on a good note, we do have the ‘veggie bus’ bringing fresh produce to the hill…and south side appears to have a thriving farmer’s market at the park, too. I haven’t made it over there yet, but have heard good things about it.
Anne,
Sad but true…you are correct!
Maybe I am naive in thinking that “quality” shops can survive up here.
But, looking at the last 10 years, there has been a huge change in demographics on the Hill, gentrification for sure, but also – it appears – a more environmentally concerned population. The area where Tricycle Garden set up on 31st and Grace, for instance, is now one of the most pleasant public spaces with activities all day long by people of all ages, color and creed.
Just because Que Pasa, CH Herbs and other “quality” places didn’t make it, doesnt mean we are caving in to 40s and greasy cell-joints.
By making quality available and affordable, people’s behavior is going to change. We always seek what is best for us and what makes us look good…, and business people are always looking for a niche to get ahead. It takes time to change habits, folks.
Let’s stay on the track of better living, make demands and hold shop owners accountable.
I, in all my naivite, believe this community has the potential to become a leading force in sustainable living in Richmond.
We just have to aks for it!
I don’t think those businesses listed can necessarily be the ones to be used as examples. Que Pasa had poor customer service and spotty food(i.e. a two taco limit served on paper plates), Church Hill Herbs (by all accounts) also did not have good customer service and Jumpin’ J’s was booming until the pricey dinner service was added thus losing her niche of a great brunch and lunch service. I agree that if someone comes in with any desired service and provides GOOD service, they have a chance to do well.
Which is why everyone needs to participate in the East End Charrette next week. The community needs to step up and share their visions for 25th/9mile.
Consider: after the vision is set, and construction begins, areas along those roads are going to become more appealing to potential businesses. Plus, if positive businesses hear that the community came out in droves for the charrette, they will be more inclined to capture the vision.
John’s got a post up that will lead to more information on the happenings next week.
“Well, Tinsel, the thing is, they won’t necessarily have a future. Que Pasa closed, and Church Hill Herbs, and Jumpin’ J’s — meanwhile, the 40 sellers, pizza by the slice guys and overpriced chips and candy bar stores are flourishing.”
Que Pasa’s incredibly mediocre food was overpriced and the owner was awful in regards to customer service, which was passed down to all of his servers. He actually made me help him move a table once because no one else was around – not even kidding. He didn’t ask, he gestured and snapped at me and actually said “move, move, move!” Shocking to say the least.
Church Hill Herbs has been bashed to death around town and for good reason. It honestly isn’t even worth calling that place and the woman who ran it a viable local business, nor is it worth an afterthought.
Jumpin’ J’s was fine. Honestly, it was never more than fine. The service was so off and on and the food was….fine.
Other places have survived and done well. The Hill Cafe, Buzzy’s, Accapella –> Patrick Henry Inn, and now It Must be Heaven have all done very well and probably will continue to thrive. They have a place and their customers are all treated well. Now if we could only get the folks at the Market to run a decent and well stocked and not crazy expensive sham of a grocery store…
JimJam, I was speaking specifically of NORTH Church Hill businesses. If you can think of one “upscale” business that has been successful north of the 700s I’d be glad to amend my statement.
anne… have you not considered Sandra’s Soul Food?
I was thinking of what services would be great to have on the Hill and where I have to drive. Wouldn’t it be great if someone like Southern States could take over the empty grocery store on North 25th? There’s plenty of parking. They are a cooperative, have great products and great prices. I know we don’t want to have a lot of chain stores up here, but I see Southern States as an exception.
I noticed yesterday that Sandra’s had funnel cakes. Screw upscale, that’s the kind of retail I want in my neighborhood!
And then there’s Alamo. BBQ crosses all demographic borders. I think that’s really what North Church Hill should court as far as retail goes — stuff that EVERYBODY wants, not just one element of the population or another. Everybody wants barbecue and funnel cakes. What else does everybody want? Help me out here. Southern States sounds good.
The Alamo is rocking and rolling and I would add my own business, the Eric Schindler Gallery. We’ve been in the neighborhood since 1965. Millies, Sette, Globe Hopper, Poe’s, Aziza’s etc I also consider area businesses. And let’s not forget all the law and realtor offices and tourist spots. Many of the area survivors are destinations. If we relied on the neighborhood alone, we wouldn’t exist(this excludes coffee shops, a pub, and cheap eats).
Now UrbanPioneer has made a good point and I agree we need a small anchor on 25th -a store we often drive to like a Southern States. Many of our basic needs are simply not available in our neighborhood and city. In larger cities like NY, you’ll find anchors in the midst of boutiques and speciality shops. Our downtown, in particular, is in desperate need of an anchor (wish we had a Trader Joes and Whole Foods).
Comment #8 makes a very good argument, and is the reason why R-8 is the best zoning for the majority of Church Hill North, and commercial zoning should be confined to major commercial corridors.
As much as people “wish” for the types of stores they want, we will get more Blue Wheelers and Clay St. Markets if R-63 is allowed inside our quiet, residential, single family/duplex side streets. R-8 will allow for commercial use of the existing corner stores (before 1943), but will require a conditional use permit, which is more streamlined that an SUP. Still has to go through Planning Comm. and Council. R-8 will not allow commercial “by right,” which is a good thing.
Develop commercial in the commercial corridors – 25th and 9 mile and leave our side streets alone!
Stores I miss having on 25th: shoe repair, tailor, thrift clothing, and a bakery. And I miss the department stores downtown. Where can I buy quality shoes for the family at affordable prices in the city?
#20 observer.It sounds like you are really anti small business. I am quite sure Blue Wheeler and Clay St Market have been Church Hill residents longer than you. Do you rent or do you own property in the “T”. Have you come to the realization that property in thr “T” will be more valuable under R63 compared to R8.Don’t pretend to speak for all of Church Hill North. And you know it,s ironic; You only seek Ms. Newbille’s help when you want something. I doubt most of the Church Hill North Assn[ All 4 of You} voted for Her in the last election.Church Hill North has the same Drug,Prostitution and Violence issues as the rest of the Hill. R63 is not part of the problem, It,s part of the solution. R63 is money in your pocket!
ah yes once again the anonymous closet racists speak out on the state of neighborhood retail. heres an idea. go to the meetings this week and offer some input. that is if youre not too scared to voice youre veiled racist comments around your neighbors. belittling comments about businesspeople who actually risk their own capital dont mean much especially when fired off from the cover of your pottery barn desk. grow up. maybe if you actually lived in theneighborhood instead of biding your time to bolt to the westend when the real estate market recovers you might find that all the people you snarkily suggest are operating criminal enterprises are actually a lot like you. they have hopes and dreams and goals. grant every person the same rights you claim for yourself. its like the supposed christian ethic minus the hypocrisy and the imaginary friend in the sky.
I’m not a planner, but just a thought . . .
Without the higher density that R63 provides, will the neighborhood be able to sustain an urban business district on 25th Street?