Can we discuss Richmond's West End (Henrico Co) and the 80 million grocery stores within 5-7 miles of each other? (apartment complexes)

[ATLBound09]

Only upside is that when I ran out of something for Thanksgiving, I can always count on one of the stores having what I need.

However, that's the only plus.

It's shameful that there is such a high concentration of grocery stores in the WESTERN End of Henrico, but if you go to the EASTERN end of Henrico, good luck finding 5-6 grocery stores within 5 minutes of each other. Don't get me started on the chronic FOOD DESERT that is historic Church Hill that just got their first grocery store in almost 20 years.

The West End does not need 4 Publix, 4-6 Food Lions, 2-3 Krogers, 5 Aldis, Wegmans, Whole Foods, Tom Leonard's, Wal-Mart, Target, all with 5-8 minute driving time.

The market in the West End is oversaturated with grocery stores.

[VA Yankee]

Economics 101, if you build them and the locals don't rob you blind then they will build more. Its free commerce, why don't you ask the vendors why they don't establish more stores?

[Pruzhany]

It's not only the FWE, it's both sides of the river, but yes the worst concentrations of retail is in the FWE. Through the years numerous types of retail came in droves and through the years most of them have failed. Also the massive construction all the way to the Goochland border just made it worse. In 2018/2019 there was a massive influx of markets that was beyond belief. Best to try them all and choose your favorites. I'd say my top two are Wegmans & Fresh Market. Give it a few years when the leases come up, and many will close down.

As to why so much. Look around there is no minimum lot size. So either massive neighborhoods go in where neighbors can watch each other shower or massive apartment complexes go in.

I'm so happy where I live, I have no neighboring house that I can see during winter. As to the drive I really don't mind the 15-30 mind drive to get to where I need to go. The worst part of any drive now in the FWE is the traffic as one now has stop lights everywhere and they don't work in sequence.

[ClarkStreetKid]

West Enders shop a lot and also eat out a lot.
Personally I don’t mind having a wealth of excellent choices.

[slowlane3]

2 excellent, recent articles, analyzing Richmond's attempts to bring supermarkets to their inner-city

https://www.baconsrebellion.com/wp/41957-2

https://www.baconsrebellion.com/wp/r...h-nut-to-crack

[Carolina Knight]

Originally Posted by ATLBound09

Only upside is that when I ran out of something for Thanksgiving, I can always count on one of the stores having what I need.

However, that's the only plus.

It's shameful that there is such a high concentration of grocery stores in the WESTERN End of Henrico, but if you go to the EASTERN end of Henrico, good luck finding 5-6 grocery stores within 5 minutes of each other. Don't get me started on the chronic FOOD DESERT that is historic Church Hill that just got their first grocery store in almost 20 years.

The West End does not need 4 Publix, 4-6 Food Lions, 2-3 Krogers, 5 Aldis, Wegmans, Whole Foods, Tom Leonard's, Wal-Mart, Target, all with 5-8 minute driving time.

The market in the West End is oversaturated with grocery stores.

There are many grocery competitors. Too many competitors will cause inferior and underachieving participants to lose and exit. The time of correction and reduction should come soon.

[Pruzhany]

Originally Posted by Carolina Knight

There are many grocery competitors. Too many competitors will cause inferior and underachieving participants to lose and exit. The time of correction and reduction should come soon.

With most having 5 yr or 10 yr leases it's not going to be as soon as you think.

[Pruzhany]

Originally Posted by slowlane3

2 excellent, recent articles, analyzing Richmond's attempts to bring supermarkets to their inner-city

https://www.baconsrebellion.com/wp/41957-2

https://www.baconsrebellion.com/wp/r...h-nut-to-crack

Both your links are downtown Richmond and not the Far West End. Two different mind sets and to two different economies.

[VA Yankee]

Originally Posted by slowlane3

2 excellent, recent articles, analyzing Richmond's attempts to bring supermarkets to their inner-city

https://www.baconsrebellion.com/wp/41957-2

https://www.baconsrebellion.com/wp/r...h-nut-to-crack

Two articles that apply to the city not the West End as previously pointed out. What they both point out is that those on a modest budget are looking to get the most bang for their buck to fill their stomachs and vine ripened tomatoes are not going to do it.

This isn't unique to Richmond I remember a battle in Burlington Vermont where one group wanted an Ellwood Thompson type store put at a location downtown and the other wanted a chain store with $.99 loafs of bread. The average citizen couldn't afford the Local Farmer prices in the end the earthy crunchy store won but they modified the stock to include $.99 loaves of bread and other basic commodities.

Richmond needs to do the same, provide a supermarket priced to meet the communities buying power and stop trying to force only healthy eating it won't work, given time people will change.