Ukrop's Readies for Switch; Sale Expected to Close Next Week

By Desiree Parker Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Ukrop’s on Monticello Avenue is gearing up for some changes as its new owner, Giant-Carlisle, prepares to finalize the sale.

According to Giant-Carlisle spokeswoman Tracy Pawelski, the company expects to make an announcement finalizing the sale early next week. In December, Giant’s parent company Royal Ahold announced it would purchase 25 Ukrop’s stores and their inventory and equipment for about $140 million.

At the time of the announcement, John Rishton, CEO of Ahold, said, “This acquisition is part of Ahold’s profitable growth strategy. Ukrop’s is a great company with a strong heritage in an attractive market. We believe that Giant-Carlisle and Ukrop’s will be a strong combination."

The company plans to keep current Ukrop’s employees, and also open a new location, according to the December press release.

While folks wait to hear the final decisions, Williamsburg’s Ukrop’s is already preparing for change.

A sign posted at the Starbucks kiosk tells customers the Starbucks will be closing on Friday, Feb. 5, and will reopen Feb. 8 as a different coffee shop. Baristas told WYDaily they were glad to be keeping their jobs, though they’d no longer be serving the well-known coffee brand.

Cashiers were also talking about the sale this week. One cashier said she’s heard the store might be renamed Martin’s (another chain owned by Ahold), but the decision hasn’t been made final yet.

Employees generally seemed glad to be keeping their jobs, and appeared confident customers wouldn’t see too much difference in products or customer service when next week’s announcement is made.