Martins (Richmond, Forest, Short Pump: purchases, shop, budget)

[Teebyrd86]

How is Martins doing in Richmond?

[sls76]

My take on it (one person case study) is not well but that may be skewed by the fact that I go to the Short Pump Martins which I think is getting clobbered because of the new Kroger. I rarely go to Martins, but when I do, it never seems busy. When I do go, it's usually because I want a Ukrops bakery item. If I had to guess, I would say Giant got a bad deal on that transaction.

[SparrowGirl]

The Martin's at Sycamore Square is a ghost town, but I think it was like that when it was Ukrops.

[eloyfan]

We are using the Short Pump Martins (I just got back from a trip there 10 minutes ago) and we are very pleased with the variety and service there. Plus the Fuel Perks where we get up to 50 cents off a gallon of gas, we are paying about $2.89 a gallon at participating gas staions (Exxon and BP).

They have a lot more variety than anywhere in Raleigh where we just shopped for 6 years. Kroger is big and flashy and no problems at all with it, but we are fans of Martins.

[sls76]

Originally Posted by eloyfan

We are using the Short Pump Martins (I just got back from a trip there 10 minutes ago) and we are very pleased with the variety and service there. Plus the Fuel Perks where we get up to 50 cents off a gallon of gas, we are paying about $2.89 a gallon at participating gas staions (Exxon and BP).

They have a lot more variety than anywhere in Raleigh where we just shopped for 6 years. Kroger is big and flashy and no problems at all with it, but we are fans of Martins.

You're perspective as a newcomer to Richmond is helpful. I will say part of the issue is that Martins is a disappointment for those of us who loved Ukrops (I'm personally talking about the Ukrops of 10 years ago, not 2 years ago when service had deteriorated). We moved out of Richmond in 2005 and when we returned in 2008, Ukrops in Short Pump had a ton of the same employees. They are all gone now.

Fuel Perks are great but I prefer the Kroger program because they double gift card purchases--I'm a terribly impersonal gift giver and can do 50% of my Christmas shopping at the grocery store--and I don't believe Martins includes them at all).

[twinmma]

Can't stand Martins. We go to Kroger in Short Pump, but I don't like that either. Oh how I miss Wegmans!

[hgnmx]

The one in Forest Hill and in Carytown do just fine. I'd say they have the same business level as the Ukrop's there did.

[Pruzhany]

The Martin's at Sycamore Square is a ghost town, but I think it was like that when it was Ukrops.

The parking lot was packed when it was a Ukrops. Tried Martin's a couple of times and took my business elsewhere.

[GeorgiaTransplant]

This whole discussion reminds me of my in-laws (all West End natives):

1) When Ukrop's was Ukrop's 10 years ago:
"oh, it's going downhill! It's not what it used to be! I shop at some other place!"

2) When Ukrop's was Ukrop's 5 years ago:
"the end is in sight! Ukrop's just isn't the same! Quality is terrible!"

3) When Ukrop's was Ukrop's 2 years ago:
"oh, it's going downhill! It can't be long now...I am shopping at Kroger's! The quality is bad, the people are rude!"

4) When Ukrop's became Martin's:
"oh, my God! They ruined it! If it were only Ukrops!"

[sls76]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaTransplant

This whole discussion reminds me of my in-laws (all West End natives):

1) When Ukrop's was Ukrop's 10 years ago:
"oh, it's going downhill! It's not what it used to be! I shop at some other place!"

2) When Ukrop's was Ukrop's 5 years ago:
"the end is in sight! Ukrop's just isn't the same! Quality is terrible!"

3) When Ukrop's was Ukrop's 2 years ago:
"oh, it's going downhill! It can't be long now...I am shopping at Kroger's! The quality is bad, the people are rude!"

4) When Ukrop's became Martin's:
"oh, my God! They ruined it! If it were only Ukrops!"

That is funny, and very true. In my defense (since I do sound like your in-laws) I will say my point was,

From 2002-2005 I spent about 50% of my grocery budget at Ukrops.
From 2008-2010 I spent about 25% at Ukrops.
From 2010-2011 I spent <5% at Martins. There's just rarely a reason for me to go there.