A Sea Of Red

In the same area they've been trying to get one for a while between Lakeside, Old Forest and Whitehall:

http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2012/f ... r-1721023/

Lynchburg could use a Fresh Market.

I hope it includes a Costco. Also, hopefully 2 or 3 frozen yogurt shops.

That's my neighborhood!

And, for the record, you can never have enough frozen yogurt shops in town.

That's an awkward and congested location. Also, haven't we been told time and time again that Lynchburg is not an ideal market for upscale retail/food outlets? I don't necessarily agree with that, but that seems to have been the traditional outlook.

So is Fresh Market similar to Whole Foods in what they sell or just a spiffed up grocery store with a larger produce section?

I'd love to hear badger74's take if he is able to speak.

Sly Fox wrote:So is Fresh Market similar to Whole Foods in what they sell or just a spiffed up grocery store with a larger produce section?

I'd love to hear badger74's take if he is able to speak.

You got it. Whenever I walk into a Fresh Market I sometime get confused thinking I'm in a Whole Foods. Nearly identical. There's a Fresh Market right across the street from where I work

A grocery store as an anchor? This should be interesting...

Most upscale shopping centers these days are centered around grocery stores like Whole Foods. Here in Texas, San Antonio-based HEB Central Markets are more common than Austin-based Whole Foods. But grocery stores bring in traffic to retail centers on a more regular basis than apparel stores.

Once again, this is badger74's world and I'm just a fringe guy in this discussion.

Sly Fox wrote:Most upscale shopping centers these days are centered around grocery stores like Whole Foods. Here in Texas, San Antonio-based HEB Central Markets are more common than Austin-based Whole Foods. But grocery stores bring in traffic to retail centers on a more regular basis than apparel stores.

Once again, this is badger74's world and I'm just a fringe guy in this discussion.

In DC, neighborhoods are being built with a grocery store every few blocks with residential properties above/around it. Harris Teeter, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods are ever present in the new neighborhoods.

lynchburgwildcats wrote:A grocery store as an anchor? This should be interesting...

happens all the time...get out some

thepostman wrote:

lynchburgwildcats wrote:A grocery store as an anchor? This should be interesting...

happens all the time...get out some

He does--if you count the Pitman Plaza.

Well, I had a long post written but it seems to have gone into the ozone. Basically I like the idea and the size. I'd prefer Trader Joes as they have more different products you can't get at Krogers and low prices with an upscale image. But I certainly will give them a look. For the shop spaces which I estimate could be 40,000SF, I see some casual restaurants (Thai?? and Teriyaki??) and a Starbucks of course.

http://modern-baking.com/supermarket_ba ... imp_10378/

badger74 wrote:Well, I had a long post written but it seems to have gone into the ozone. Basically I like the idea and the size. I'd prefer Trader Joes as they have more different products you can't get at Krogers and low prices with an upscale image. But I certainly will give them a look. For the shop spaces which I estimate could be 40,000SF, I see some casual restaurants (Thai?? and Teriyaki??) and a Starbucks of course.

http://modern-baking.com/supermarket_ba ... imp_10378/

You are one wise badger

Count me among those disappointed that post fell into the ozone, badger74. I eat up your analysis with a spoon when it comes to retail.

So I get the feeling that Fresh Markets don't have selection of organics found at Whole Foods. I have family members in Lynchburg who have to drive to Charlottesville these days just to load up on organics not found in Krogers and the like in town.

I like the fresh meat/seafood aspect quite a bit as I think that is a weaker aspect of Kroger in general. Baked goods could be tough as will deli as I like Boar's Head deli products and don't mind the prices. There certainly will be a market for the fresh and organic (not with me but heh-I'm from jersey) items as I think that the Lynchburg health food store closed recently (or maybe not so much given that fact).
The location is interesting as it splits the market between the Boonsboro area and the newer Forest developments. That can be an issue for food stores as most people go to the closest decent food store and don't drive past one to go to another of similar quality. The immediate neighborhood has relatively lower population density in the one-mile ring as you have lots of either vacant land or commercial/industrial places that don't usually send people to grocery stores to shop much. But the traffic counts are very strong. Hopefully they go for a high quality design and have some good supporting stores lined up.

Having spent time in both Whole Foods and Fresh Market, I'd venture to say that Whole Foods is a better fit in our area. Fresh Market is nice, but I get more of a feel of being in a gourmet food shop, with all the space committed to baked goods and butcher shop. Whole Foods seems to cater to a much broader population with better pricing and more options. I've always thought that the area around the intersection would be ideal for drawing in the population that has a bit more disposable money. The Fresh Air Market was never really the kind of store that a typical organics hound would frequent. They had a good selection of bulk staples, but most of the packaged items seemed geared to the atypical shopper. I'm sure that high rent in a new facility and Kroger's big push to stock more packaged organics put a crimp in their business. They probably had it much better when they were in the original old run down Forest Plaza West, where rent was cheap. My wife was a regular there, but only for organic bulk products- flour, oats, sucanat, etc. Whole Foods in Cville is great- grind your own peanut (or whatever nut you want) butter, good cheese and deli, and a small craft beer bar (4 or 5 taps!).

Cider Jim wrote:

thepostman wrote:

lynchburgwildcats wrote:A grocery store as an anchor? This should be interesting...

happens all the time...get out some

He does--if you count the Pitman Plaza.

Considering I don't live in Lynchburg anymore, I don't "get out" at any Lynchburg plaza.

Fall 2013 Fresh Market

http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2012/o ... r-2297235/

Petco? Seriously? Lynchburg is so lame.

Where is bloop at?

LUconn wrote:Where is bloop at?

I see what you did there.

ALUmnus wrote:Petco? Seriously? Lynchburg is so lame.

What about Petco makes Lynchburg lame?

Sorry, but a giant pet supply chain does not get me excited, seeing as we already have one.

ALUmnus wrote:Sorry, but a giant pet supply chain does not get me excited, seeing as we already have one.

It is an indicator that there is room in the retail market, and that is a good thing. I remember some talk back when LU was pursuing Crossroads Colonnades about the Lakeside area not having the potential that some thought it had. Any new development in the area around Lakeside and Old Forest is a positive thing for the city and since it is much closer to my house than the Wards Rd. hellhole, any new development is exciting. I'm betting that this little development might have the domino effect on local grocery store options, at the least. I also wouldn't be surprised to see a Chick-fil-a or a Wendy's on one of the outparcels.

The Old Forest Walmart is looking like it could be the game changer on that side of town. Of course, given the history of this proposed construction, I'll believe this new shopping center exists when it is fully constructed and open to the public.