Ukrop's through the years

By: | Times-Dispatch
Published: December 06, 2009

May 1937: Joseph Ukrop and his wife, Jacquelin, open the first Ukrop's Super Market store, on Hull Street in South Richmond. Ukrop, who had been the meat manager at an A&P store, convinced his father to mortgage the family farm to open the store.

1963: James E. Ukrop, son of the founders, convinces his father to allow him to open a second store, on Midlothian Turnpike near Buford Road in Chesterfield.

1972: Opens its first store north of the James River, in the Dumbarton Square shopping center. Robert S. Ukrop, the youngest son of the founders, is store manager.

1974: Jim Ukrop becomes president and chief executive officer. His father is chairman.

1975: Opens two stores in the same year -- a first.

1976: Buys Dot's Pastry Shop, a premier Richmond bakery.

1981: Ukrop's opens a 20,000-square-foot bakery manufacturing facility at Southport.

1986: Becomes the Richmond-area market-share leader, surpassing Safeway.

1987: Introduces the Ukrop's Valued Customer card, offering in-store electronic discounts.

1989: Opens 20,000-square-foot Central Kitchen in Chesterfield and begins offering its own line of chilled prepared foods. Opens a prototype store in the Westpark shopping center that features an in-store café and the chain's first pharmacy.

1993: Creates Ukrop's Dress Express, a uniform and corporate apparel business.

1994: Jim Ukrop is named vice chairman and retains the CEO title. His brother, Robert S. Ukrop, is named president and chief operating officer.

1996: Embarks on a $125 million expansion plan to be paid for by taking on debt -- a first for the chain.

1997: Opens a store in Fredericksburg -- its first outside of the Richmond area. Also announces First Market Bank, a venture with National Commerce Bancorp. to jointly own a bank with branches inside Ukrop's stores.

1998: Jim Ukrop becomes the company's Chairman. Bobby becomes CEO and president.

2001: Opens Joe's Market, a specialty food market on Libbie Avenue in Richmond.

2002 : Co-founder Joseph Ukrop dies.

2005 : Co-founder Jacquelin Ukrop dies.

2006: Relocates its corporate offices to Henrico from Chesterfield.

2007: Opens a store in Roanoke -- its first there.

2008: Becomes a partner with Uppy's convenience store chain to offer fuelperks!, a discounted-gas program for shoppers.

2009: Closes one of its two stores in the Williamsburg area and its Roanoke store. Loses the No. 1 market-share ranking in the Richmond area to Food Lion.

SOURCE: Ukrop's Super Markets Inc.; Times-Dispatch resources