Short Pump Ukrop’s Closes To Be Remodeled As Martin’s Food Market

At 6:00 p.m. Saturday evening, a picked over and empty Short Pump Ukrop’s closed to the public, beginning a one week closure that will allow for the supermarket’s transition to a Martin’s Food Market. And while the name and appearance will change, many things will stay the same. Shoppers scurried through the aisles of the […]

April 4, 2010; 9:17 PM • by Trevor Dickerson

At 6:00 p.m. Saturday evening, a picked over and empty Short Pump Ukrop’s closed to the public, beginning a one week closure that will allow for the supermarket’s transition to a Martin’s Food Market. And while the name and appearance will change, many things will stay the same.

Shoppers scurried through the aisles of the Short Pump location Saturday night, scavenging for deals and markdowns throughout the store. All Ukrop’s brand items were marked down to up to 75% off, as well as bakery items, prepared foods and other perishables. By closing time, many aisles were devoid of more than half their merchandise. Some were completely bare.

Around the store, which opened in 1996, some of the basic remodeling had already taken place. Interior Ukrop’s signage and banners were removed, the childcare area known as the “Tot Spot” had been dismantled and new decals had been applied to the kitchen and bakery areas reading “Featuring Ukrop’s Favorites.” The Ukrop’s sign at the Short Pump store will be removed by Richmond-based Superior Signs Monday morning between 8:00 a.m. and noon, according to Martin’s officials.

The location had just recently undergone a major makeover while under Ukrop’s ownership just a year ago, including new interior façades, paint, upgraded lighting and revamped cafe area, among other changes.

While the name on the front of the store will change to Martin’s, a smaller sign will be displayed underneath that will say “Featuring Ukrop’s Kitchen and Bakery.” The namesake will also carry on as the Ukrop’s Cafe inside the store. Additionally, baggers will still cart customers’ purchases to their vehicles.

Martin’s will also be keeping the signs in the front of the store that read “Let’s all go to our place of worship this week,” a longtime fixture at area locations.

All Ukrop’s bakery, kitchen and prepared foods will be available at Richmond area Martin’s stores. The Short Pump store will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, April 12, 2010. A complete map and schedule of store closings can be found on the new Richmond area Martin’s website.

April 4, 2010 9:17 PM 0