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Unwelcome changes at the Shockoe Valley Market
A local resident sent this in overnight:
What is happening to the Shockoe Valley Market on Marshall & 18th Street? Though the market has been open for only three short months or so, it seems that the concept around which it was opened is already changing. It was exciting to see a new store opening in the neighborhood that was actually meant to be a “corner market” – not just another store relying solely upon single malt liquor, fortified wine, cigarette, and lottery ticket sales.
When the store opened, a variety of products were offered such as fresh produce, specialty items like soymilk and European confections, coffee, a hot food bar, an ice cream case, and a deli case. It appeared that the owners, with good sense, intended to cater to the diversity of the neighborhood.
Now, with the disappearance of the coffee stand, grocery items, deli case, and the like – along with replenishing the produce bins with beer, and the addition of a display case full of pipes, screens, and bongs – it seems that the owners have abruptly changed their minds about their desired target group. What’s more, it is disconcerting to hear rumors that the owners are actually planning to open a bar inside the store.
I ask: WTC – why the change? At the start, the store was not ideally laid out, but it had a lot of potential. In establishing any successful business, patience and consistency are key. Trying out a concept for only three months & scrapping it does not inspire confidence or loyalty in clientele. The current situation with Shockoe Valley Market leaves the distinct impression of the old “bait and switch” routine.
People gotta go wit what sells maybe go spend some money there if you feel like that.Give back…..
I didn’t even know this store existed, but I would think that at 18th and Marshall, they would want to cater to the folks in all those apartments down there. Seems like a shame that they’ve switched off of produce, coffee, etc. and decided to sell beer and bongs. Has anyone spoken directly to the owners and/or managers?
My understanding is that entire property comes with a restriction imposed by McDonald’s as part of the real estate deal that there could be no restaurants, cafes or coffee shops. When I saw the hot bar at Shockoe Valley Market, I was surprised it had been permitted, but maybe they hadn’t gotten permission and have since been shut down?
Its unfortunate but that whole corner has turned into MCV / VCU dorms east. Had a friend that moved into the building there under the guise of a “luxury” apartment as the agents insisted it would be. Turns out that it’s nothing more than an overpriced dormitory. College kids doing stupid stuff at all hours and just generally being silly. He spoke with the owners of the market who are a family from NY and yes they did attempt to follow the what the rental agents at the apartments told them they would be catering to, a more diverse clientele. They as well as my friend both feel that they had been duped. After realizing what would generate the most sales and given the fact that they’re locked into a multi year lease it was a wise decision to adjust the products that were offered. I don’t fault them for it. I do take issue with the agents of the apartments for they are misleading in their statements.
I live in the building above that market. Most of the people that live there are students, which in general, don’t seem to be interested in the stuff that the shop was originally offering. Like it or not, the residents of the building, as well as the surrounding buildings are probably going to determine what they stock as that has to be their main source of customers due to the strange location and there’s really no parking.
I was expecting a different experience than what it’s turned out to be, but as a business, they have to stick with what sells.
Dave, Do you enjoy living there? How much are rents? How many units are vacant?
I’m just trying to gauge the living experience.
It’s pretty much a college dorm atmosphere. If that s your thing, then it’s great. If not, I wouldn’t consider it.
Dave #5, I agree with you- there are a big bunch of apartments there wrapping around McDonald’s, plus the other ones within a block or so, and their occupants are probably determining what the store carries. Please share the living experience with us, though – at least two of us are curious, thanks!
Mike #4 – I get it that your friend did not get the luxury experience he expected, but I don’t really grasp why. Did he have a lot of exposure to his neighbors, or were there other issues with them?
My wife and I toured about a half a year back and they were asking 900-1400 I think. Basically River Lofts prices for a west end style interior without the charm. The place looks cheaply built and felt like a dorm. I suspect it will not hold up as well as some of the older lofts.
My wife and I took a tour of the “McDonald’s Apartments” about 6 months ago. We are in our mid-30’s, professional and new parents. We were looking for modern amenities after growing weary of the 100 year old plumbing and other “quaint” characteristics of our Church Hill apartment. We were even willing to pay extra for the “luxury” apartments touted on the promotional materials. What we saw was laughable: dark and sterile corridors, chintzy construction and TINY rooms. The master bedroom in the largest apartment layout could not hold our king size bed, and I seriously doubt it could hold a queen without touching two walls. We toured many of the other new buildings in the area and found the same situation at every one. The only thing luxurious about them is the rent. Now I chuckle whenever I drive by the signs touting “luxury” living in Church Hill.
Maybe they can compete with the Blue Wheeler for best priced pipes, bongs, blunts and 40’s. Throw in drunk thugs pissing outside, littering, loitering, loud music and yelling and it will be like every other “corner store” in Church Hill.
I cant wait to see what type of tennant will be attracted by the school on 33rd and marshall. The one that Maggie is converting into 50 effeciency apartments.
Where the hell do college kids get the money to live in these overpriced dumps?
Just to clarify, the building is not a “dump.” It’s actually quite nice. There’s just a lot of college kids there and all the stuff that goes along with that, a lot of weekend noise, not following certain rules, can be annoying if you’re not of that age and mind set. I’m not.
I was thinking the same thing when I chose to move there, it’s pricey so they probably couldn’t afford it, but I guess med students have a bit of dough, as well as roomies.
The folks that run it are nice and always helpful. Oh, and the free internet is fantastic!
To all of you who have posted – thank you for giving me and others a slice of what these places are like. Human Honey Badger, #12 – YES, I agree with you about the old school at 33rd and Marshall, be interesting to see what happens with that. And to Dave who lives in the subject property – good for you, good luck dealing with it.
P.S. #10 – I suspect you would have done better at either buying in Church Hill, or trying Nolde Condos, but if you no longer live in Church Hill, then best of luck to you. I’m beginning to think (after about 30 years of living here) that it might take a special type of person, and if one is not in love with old houses and this particular neighborhood, then one needs to live elsewhere where one is happier, and that’s all there is to it, nothing wrong with either the neighborhood or the person (or couple, as it may be). Just a difference of opinion.
What I remember from taking the tour last year was that there were no trash chutes in the building. They were trying to spin this as a benefit– they had “valet trash service” where you put your trash bag in the hallway, and someone comes to take it away for you. But the valet service was only available certain days of the week. All I could imagine was that this place would get incredibly stinky once all the apartments were occupied, with people putting their trash out in the hall on non-valet days. (Or are you required to keep it in your apartment?) Also, what happens if you have a “juicy” trash bag? Won’t the carpets quickly get stained and smelly from this??
Honestly, it seemed more like the architect had a brain fart, and forgot to put trash chutes in the floorplan, and then they came up with some half-a55ed way to try to make it seem intentional.
This is awful… soon someone’s going to get shot over there.
maybe you guys could start a task force. oh wait that would mean disclosing your secret identities!hey where was the anonymous people know better meeting?. i missed it ……
That is unfortunate, I have never stopped in there, but the decals of fruits and vegetables all over the windows made it look nicer than your usual corner store. Although I’m always suspicious anytime somebody covers every last window so that you cannot see inside the store from outside. Anybody know if the black Lexus RX300 suv parked illegally about twice a month directly infront of the store belongs to the owners? It makes it virtually impossible to see oncoming traffic when crossing.
If I am not mistaken, part of the zoning approval for this place involved garage parking. But since they charge for it, it is under utelized, and everyone parks on the street creating a difficult traffic pattern to negotiate.
Oh well, you pay a councilmans son/daughter and you can build whatever you want
i am a resident of this ‘dump’ you guys speak of. unless you live there, i would advise against you guys trashing the place. I am a young (26) professional and live in a 1 bedroom and love it. here are some answers to your questions and statements… there are a great deal of students, most of whom are very respectful and I have had no issues w/ noise or anything of the like. I live on the first floor, not sure how this changes anything. there is valet trash service and it’s ever night except Friday and Saturday. you are only allowed to put your trash in the hall from 6-8 and must bring your empty container in in the morning. no smelly halls. also the carpet I modern carpet tiles that can easily be changed if soiled. the hallways are not dark at all and the building has high end amenities. It is indeed small but that’s how all new apartments are. all about the money these days. also, the parking garage is not underutilized. in fact, both the surface lot and garage are pretty much at capacity. street parking sucks sometimes, sure. but don’t live downtown if you want to bitch about that. anything else?
Is this “head shop” being spoken of even legal in Virginia?
I still can’t get over the glut of these thrown together lackluster apartments and now to see just how small they are… They may be fine for college students but there can’t be tens of thousands of them moving into Richmond to justify filling up these pigeon hole apartments? Definately not for the more traditional person nor someone who has a lot of furniture. And these buildings don’t fit the historic fabric of Church Hill anyway.
Eric, I think a lot of these apartments are springing up as a result of the success that River Lofts / Canal Walk lofts have had. I know River Lofts is at or almost at capacity and having lived there for a few years before moving to the Hill, I can see why. The new ones unfortunately missed the point. The appeal to me, and a lot of the folks I lived with in that complex, of River Lofts came from the character and great bones of the old buildings, the high ceilings and the proximity to the river that this affords. These and the rest of the rash of new lofts being built seem to be going up with cheaper construction and very little charm or character. A majority have pretty bad views and even those that do have nice views of the skyline didn’t seem to be particularly well designed to take advantage of it.
That said, I do like that more residents are coming in here. It will hopefully bring us to a tipping point where we can get more retail (a grocery store that doesn’t suck?) crowd out some of the blighted buildings that remain and push out some of the criminal elements that thrive in areas that are largely vacant and abandoned. So there may be a win it for us.
My worry is that eventually these things get overbuilt and we are left with more vacant buildings than we had before, this time without the character or charm of the older historic ones we already have. Uncontrolled growth usually fizzles and this has some of the makings of a bubble.
I think there is a mantra in development like this “if you build it they will come…and if you build it crappy they will come crappy”
And there are a lot of buildings being thrown up in and around the bottom that are…well, craptastic. WIth little or not thought about parking either.
so now not only the building is crappy but so are the occupants? i’d love to know where you live all ‘high and mighty’ honey badger?
I live in old stone row at 21st and Franklin and saw a sign on the building across from mine that faces Main that say shockoe valley market coming soon. Does anyone know if the one on 18th is moving? We love out apartment and all of our neighbors are awesome!