Crocker’s corner

Uptown Market and Deli will join F.W. Sullivans and Lady N’awlins Cajun Cafe at the intersection of Stafford Avenue and W. Main Street. Restauranteur Jake Crocker and the FWS Group now own three of four buildings at this intersection.

September 6, 2011; 9:22 AM • by Richmond BizSense

This story first appeared on RichmondBizSense.com, Richmond’s leading source for business news.

An ambitious restaurateur is trying to corner the market on one particular block in the Fan.

Jake Crocker and his FWS Group partners plan to convert a dilapidated novelty shop at 2400 W. Main St. into a late-night sandwich and drink spot called Uptown Market and Deli. A business called the Happy Corner formerly had the space.

That will give Crocker control of three out of four corner businesses at the intersection of Stafford Avenue and West Main Street. The FWS Group consists of local lawyer Hayden Fisher, chef Sean Murphy and Evan Dority. The partners own F.W. Sullivan’s Bar and Grille and Lady N’awlins Cajun Cafe. They also announced they were going to add an FW Sullivan’s in Fredericksburg, but it has not opened yet.

The deli will be open 24 hours and sell coffee, sandwiches, wine, beer and soda.

“There’s a market and demand for a grab-and-go sandwich place,” Crocker said.

There won’t be any indoor seating. Instead, Crocker plans to have a walk-up window for late-night sidewalk patrons to buy a sandwich or a soda.

“We’ll have a nice local and craft beer selection,” he said. “We’ll source local and Virginia wines as much as we can.”

With the growing popularity of farmers markets in the area, Crocker said he plans to sell local produce in the store.

The FWS Group also plans to have a food cart sitting outside along Stafford Avenue with fruit, sandwiches and other items.

Crocker said a partner in FWS Group came up with the idea for a deli.

“One of my partners, Evan [Dority], has a background as a manager of a Littlejohn’s in Charlottesville,” he said. “He always wanted to do something like that.”

The partners have been eyeing the former Happy Corner shop since this spring. But a dispute between shop owner Chris Dorsey and his landlord were holding up the process.

Crocker said he finalized the lease about a month ago.

As for his other establishments on that corner, F.W. Sullivan’s and Lady N’awlins, Crocker said business has been good and he’s been spreading the word to his customers about the upcoming market.

The partners have already begun renovating the inside, and Crocker expects it to cost about $20,000 to fix up.

Crocker said he hopes to have it open by mid-October.

Amy David is a BizSense reporter. Please send news tips to Amy@richmondbizsense.com.