Comments on: Harris Teeter out of the running

By: MidloMama

MidloMama — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:38:14 +0000

I doubt it, Valerie. I have some experience with private equity groups. Some people buy a house to fix up and flip; these private equity firms buy companies to fix up and flip. Sure, they may keep some things out of goodwill, but Ukrop’s spends way more on community donations than they should to stay competitive. A private equity group comes in and makes it lean and mean and increases profitability, and then turns around and sells it again in a few years for a nice profit. (Which is why I also think wine & beer and Sundays would NOT be off the table)

By: Valerie Catrow

Valerie Catrow — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:03:35 +0000

If the name and everything are staying the same, I wonder if their sponsorships around town (10k, etc.) will keep happening, too.

By: bcat

bcat — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:44:53 +0000

“A private equity group,” eh? How mysterious. Can we assume that this private equity group is local? Because it would be pretty frustrating if nothing changed at Ukrop’s, except for the profits going straight out of town.

By: MidloMama

MidloMama — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:09:10 +0000

I’m with Lauren, I need a cite for the “word is” the policies would continue… I haven’t seen that elsewhere.

By: MattOnFire

MattOnFire — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:01:22 +0000

Good news for Richmonders who like brownie bites and a kick-ass salad bar. Bad news for Richmonders who live close to a Ukrop’s and always seem to run out of beer on Sunday.

By: Ed

Ed — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:39:06 +0000

Hey no need to hat tip me. I got it from Twitter too!

By: Lauren

Lauren — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:50:19 +0000

Where did you find out that they would continue to be closed on Sundays and not sell alcohol? I don’t see that mentioned anywhere in the news article.