RVA Bags More Grocery Stores

Richmond went cuckoo in April upon the announcement that two Wegmans grocery stores are coming to town – one Short Pump; the other, Chesterfield – most likely in 2015.

What’s the fuss about?

“They will be a disruptive factor,” James E. Ukrop, former chairman of Ukrop’s Super Markets – sold in 2010, then converted to Martin’s Food Markets – told the Richmond Times-Dispatch. “They’re very good at what they do.”

They must be. Consumer Reports ranked them No. 1 among 55 chains after surveying 27,000 subscribers about overall satisfaction, price, cleanliness, quality of perishables and service.

But Wegmans is just the beginning.

• Boutique and gourmet grocers are popping up across town.

• Standbys like Martin’s and Kroger are looking at increasing their store sizes.

• Another Whole Foods Market is coming to Richmond, this on Broad Street near Virginia Commonwealth University. No opening date yet.

• Two Aldi discount grocery stores are being built, one in western Henrico, the other in Colonial Heights.

• Southern Season Inc., a high-end gourmet store, will open in Henrico County in Staples Mill Centre next year, featuring exotic products, demonstrations and cooking classes.

Anybody remember when there were just a couple of A&Ps, Winn-Dixies and the like?

And the big question was who gave Green Stamps.

• Relay Foods allows online buying from local farms and order pickup from designated locations.