All of this could be used to help—-/ www.penniesforplaygrounds.org

Janis Peace commenting: There always seems to be money for beer, wine, and cigarettes. It did sound like a good idea and I remember the news on opening day, the isles were packed. People probably waited to spend their money there. Then, like the article said, the talk started about the prices. Something new is always fun at first. It takes a "certain something whatever that is" these days for any store to make it. I think it sounds like you are swimming uphill and unless you change your strategy about the store, it won't make it. Dollar Tree even sells food. It may not be the healthiest food but for those without money, it's food. You do have to know when to hold'em and know when to fold'em as a song says. Sorry.

Third world issues.

The store fits perfectly for the average, moderate clientele. Also, it features those ingredients our folks seasoned collard greens with. The Market expertly features sushi and ham-hocks under the same roof. It needs a chance.

So much cynicism in these comments. Mr Markel’s money helped build the ICA in Richmond and now he’s bankrolled a market that would fit in any Richmond neighborhood. He’s savvy enough to manage he losses. My money is on his vision for a store that is first class. The residents of Church Hill aren’t forced to shop there either. The management is working to make the store successful.

A very lengthy article. Seems like an Extreme exaggeration to report that they have lost millions in just 6 months.

Now that Virginia is completely Blue, and with Richmond always having been Blue, maybe now even Gucci, Cartier, Chanel and Ermenegildo Zegna could do well, with some kind of subsidized assistance from Virginia taxpayers, that most folks elsewhere in Virginia cannot afford either. Period.

Very sad. We considered Church Hill when I taught at UR from 2016-2018 but the lack of grocery and other shopping drove us to Midlothian. I wish the store's planners had contacted us at the Robins School of Business while planning. I would have enjoyed leading the great students I met there through problem finding and forecasting approaches that could have averted so many of the nightmares you describe. Next time you launch with a focus on a neighborhood consider the helpfulness of potential customer attitudinal surveys to spotlight best paths and approaches. I met wonderful people throughout the neighborhood, from families who have been there for generations to new arrivals. Celebrate all you have and all you are. And celebrate the fact that your neighborhood, right there in that little church, launched America and American liberty. Best wishes to all of you.

The new store owners forgot one basic truth before locating where they did …. The need to provide healthy fruits and vegatbles, and meat, at the same cost, or lower than whatever the people of the area were paying before the store was built.

Being able to pay your employees, pay the distributer the store buys from, and making a profit are facts that are lost to the folks who want what they want, at an expense less than others in the same world have to pay.

Gucci, Channel, or Ermenegildo Zegna Global Store could not make it either in most parts of Richmond or anywhere else .… only on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Period.

Shoppers don't care how compassionate or woke you are. They have a limited amount of income and demand has to meet supply at their price point. Economics are economics as Mr. Markel will learn a few million more dollars from now. Ask Johnny Johnson.

The purpose of this store is to make everybody feel good. The store owner, the store manager and the store employees all feel good. Unfortunately those who live in the neighborhood can't afford to shop at the feel good store and continue shop at either the nearby Dollar General or the Walmart where the slogan is "Save Money - Live Better". Saving money makes people feel better, everybody knows that. [beam]

Mr. Markel would be better served by closing the Supermarket and just giving away a Million dollars in FREE Food every month . . .

It’s a great deal for the community - thank you Mr. Markel.

I wish them every luck. Seems to me they'll have to stay open at least 3 years to know whether or not this venture is going to work so I hope the Markels have deep pockets.

owners are committed to 'a market with a mission....AKA the owners are committed to a market to loose alot of money

I know my numbers the store will loose 5.4 Million when it’s all said and done. Labor cost is 48% stolen food and products is running 5% ——- no way this business model is going to work. The prices will have to be 30% higher to cover the labor cost alone. Then add power, water and lights bills you have about 140% cost of business. They are loosing 40 cents on every dollar

I said it all along. As long as it’s their money and no taxpayers money being lost then that’s a good thing. From thefts to high prices no way this will survive. No taxpayer funds should be used for bailouts.

This is just - WOW. I'm bummed that this store isn't working out better, but everyone involved in this bent over backwards to make sure that it didn't seem like a gentrified store. Look at all the aisle names, the staff, etc - NOT gentrified. As a white person, I actually feel somewhat out of place at the store. So for people to say it seems like a "gentrified" store - what on earth? Is it because it's clean and new? What is wrong with these people?

Oh Lord ! Here we go again, let's blame it on the white man for bringing water to the desert.

Subsidizing the store with government money so they can lower their prices is the only way this ‘model’ will work. They have to turn a profit to stay in business.