Genuine Smithfield Ham Shoppe of Williamsburg Closes
The Genuine Smithfield Ham Shoppe of Williamsburg has closed. Ownership decided they would be better off allocating resources between the Peanut Shop across the street and another location in Smithfield. (Photo by Gregory Connolly/WYDaily)
The Genuine Smithfield Ham Shoppe of Williamsburg has closed after Smithfield Hams decided it would be better off allocating its resources between the Peanut Shop of Williamsburg across the street and a new location in Smithfield.
The hams and other goods once sold at the now empty Williamsburg store are on sale at the recently built Taste of Smithfield, a ham and peanut shop featuring a café, said Bill Busching, the director of retail for Smithfield Specialty Foods Group. The Peanut Shop of Williamsburg, which is also owned by Smithfield Specialty Foods Group, will not be closing.
“The Peanut Shop will carry a selection of some of the same products that were carried at the Ham Shop,” Busching said. For the rest of the product line, customers can either go to the Smithfield store or order online by clicking here. You can also order anything in the catalog from the Peanut Shop of Williamsburg.
The manager of the Genuine Smithfield Ham Shoppe of Williamsburg has been transferred to the Smithfield location while the rest of the employees were transferred to the Peanut Shop of Williamsburg, so unlike many business closures, nobody has lost their job, Busching said.
Busching said the new Smithfield location is designed to be a flagship store to complement the nearby corporate headquarters of Smithfield Specialty Foods Group.
“Having the ability to build that building right in [Smithfield] where the corporate headquarters is located really made a lot more sense to be able to showcase all of the product lines and retail right there as opposed to having it across the river in Williamsburg,” Busching said.
A new tenant is in the process of being signed to assume the rest of the lease on the building, Busching said. He said he couldn’t reveal the identity of the tenant, though a deal should be forthcoming as there is little left to do. The new tenant has also worked out a deal to continue the lease with the building owner.
“The new location in Smithfield is by far an upgraded and outstanding facility in comparison,” Busching said. “It’s got a lot of bells and whistles. It’s a great spot to visit and have a sandwich and get a taste for the Smithfield products.”
Posted by Gregory Connolly
on January 28, 2013. Filed under Local News.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
4 Responses to Genuine Smithfield Ham Shoppe of Williamsburg Closes
Leave a Reply
wakeboarder
January 28, 2013 at 5:43 pm
After Ann Romney showed up over there last Fall between dressage parties, my interest and patronage ceased entirely.
Nuff said.
Ann
January 28, 2013 at 10:56 am
I have a Save 30 certificate for the Genuine Smithfield Ham store – will the Peanut Shop honor it?
Eliza
January 28, 2013 at 10:20 am
Smithfield may have pulled out, but I hope the public won’t forget the two wonderful, unique, and locally-owned business that remain in that same building on Prince George Street– I Must Say (Antiques, Gifts, Cards, Words) and Mermaid Books!
the squire
January 28, 2013 at 9:46 am
What happened to the City-sponsored theme and “group” of seeking out, ahead of time, our local retail businesses in distress BEFORE they have to close, huh? Listen, Chamber and City, to problems…some of us have, over the years, but without your potential power to help before…..