The store emphasizes international fare, with food products from Asia, South America and Europe, as well as from North America.

S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co. listed the property. Read F. Good Jr., regional director with Nusbaum, said Lee plans a full-scale, full-service international grocery for 95,000 square feet in the former Kmart building.

Read the full article here.

Doing a quick internet search, it looks like there are numerous stores in Virginia and this more detailed information came up on Bloomberg Businessweek.

Grand Mart International Food LLC operates as a Korean food grocery store company. It offers Latino, German, Asian, and Hispanic food items. The company was founded in 2002 and is based in Centreville, Virginia. It has locations in District Of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and Georgia.

We’ll keep you posted!

Southside residents Marcel Outeiro and Mark Robertson are converting a long vacant Forest Hill house intoNest, a retail hub for local art, jewelry, garden supplies and home furnishings. The owners are shooting for a March 1 opening.

Richmond BizSense just posted an interesting interview with the owners of Nest Antiques, Mark Robertson and Marcel Outeiro, who will soon open a new space at 3403 Semmes Avenue in the Forest Hill/Woodland Heights area. This new antiques shop/art gallery will revitalize a vacant property into a new creative space right down from Crossroads Coffee and the recently opened Coqui Cyclery shop.

We’re really excited to hear of a new cool locally run shop moving to Southside. The owners are currently looking for dealers as well as artists to display their works.

Police encourage anyone who can help with an arrest to anonymously call Crime Stoppers.

Classes are free but you must register by emailing: RichmondGrowsGardens@richmondgov.com
Feb 16 – Dominic Barrett of Shalom Farms – The Importance of Urban Agriculture *First class is at Southside Baptist, 5515 Bryce Lane Richmond, VA

Feb. 23 – Lisa Taranto of the Office of Urban Ecology- Gardening 101

March 2 – John Lewis of Renew Richmond – Community Engagement with Community Gardens | David Stover of Urban Aviaries – Beekeeping

March 9 – Hands Service Learning @ Roots of Woodville Community Garden | Gay Stokes of Richmond Dept of Public Utilities – How to Make Rain Barrels

March 16 – Danny Finney of Tricycle Gardens – Vermiculture (Worm) Composting | Matthew Daniel of William Byrd Community House – Garden Planning

March 23 – Ana Edwards of William Byrd Community House – Cooking from your Garden

The upcoming Urban Agriculture Learning Series looks like it’s going to be a great series of classes since people like Duron Chavis, of the Noir Market; Lisa Taranto, founder of Tricycle Gardens; and John Lewis, of Renew Richmond look to be involved. These guys know their stuff and are eager to bring awareness of living healthy to areas of Richmond like Southside that get the short end of the stick when it comes to educational opportunities and options for eating healthy (our world for a descent grocery store) The bottom line is, te highly recommend you checking it out whether you’re a novice in the yard or have some experience under the gardening belt.

If you’re on Facebook, and you should because WE’RE on Facebook, you can read more at the event page. The basics: Classes will be held on Saturday mornings at 11am-12:30pm, beginning on February 16 and continuing until March 23. Registrants should meet at the Richmond Public Library’s Broad Rock Branch, which is located at the corner of Warwick Road and Broad Rock Boulevard. (Just off of Hull Street Road)

Be advised that there is a tornado warning for the Richmond area until 2:00am Thursday, January 31.

Official Statement: TORNADOES…HAIL TO 0.5 INCH IN DIAMETER…THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 75 MPH…AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS

REMEMBER…A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.

Incoming 9th District Council Representative, Michelle Mosby (from Style Weekly)

As Style Weekly recently reported, Michelle Mosby’s win in the 9th District certainly did come as a surprise. City Councilman Doug Conner has been a popular, hard working representative, bringing long overdue attention and financial support to one of Richmond’s often forgotten areas. And he’s been quite a change following ineffectual representatives like longterm Councilwoman Carolyn Wake of the 1980′s, a spat of one-term candidates in the 90′s, and then the now famous Rev. Gwen Hedgepeth who was federally prosecuted for bribery and extortion in 2002-2003. His personal attention to his constituents has always been appreciated, his frequent clean-up projects are well attended, his monthly community meetings are always full, and his service on the Land Use Committee as Vice Chairman has also been commendable.

So how did he lose? Out of no where it seemed, Ms. Mosby received the unexpected endorsement of the Richmond Democratic Committee. Whatever your political preference, it’s hard to deny that they did a superb job getting the word out about their preferred candidates, and many people voted based on their sample ballots that were seen widespread at the polling booths.

But if we look at Michelle Mosby’s background, she has a longstanding record working in the local community and nonprofit sector supporting efforts to improve the lives of those once incarcerated – an issue of great importance to those personally affected as well as to everyone who plays taxes.

Councilman Conner will surely be missed so all eyes should be on Ms. Mosby to see if she can not only maintain the level of credibility that he’s brought to the District, but to advance his work to improve the area and reach even higher.

An excerpt from Style Weekly:

A real estate agent, Mosby also runs International Hair, a salon on the corner of Forest Hill Avenue and Westover Hills Boulevard. The shop is sandwiched between Maldin’s Ristorante and an Asian food store in an unassuming strip mall. Inside, men get haircuts toward the front of the store while women sit in rows of chairs in the back, chatting under hairdryers.

Mosby opened the salon in 2001, but not because she knows anything about doing hair. (She doesn’t.) She wanted to give ex-offenders, people getting out of jail or prison, a place to work and learn a trade. She says she was sick of seeing rejection letters pile up in the mailboxes of friends and neighbors who were trying to turn their lives around.

“They can come home,” she says, “they can build a trade here and begin to care for their families.”

For similar reasons, Mosby co-founded and directs Help Me Help You, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to easing the transition from incarceration and reducing rates of recidivism. Among other things, the group provides family counseling and GED tutoring.

Kroger Southside

News of the revitalization of Cloverleaf Mall comes with mixed feelings. Of course I want to see Southside improve, but having visited what was once one of Richmond’s most popular malls throughout my childhood and adult years still conjures nostalgic feelings. It also makes me sad that a mall, of all things, can do this. But it wasn’t all shopping. It was spending time with family and meeting up with friends or going to see so many movies at the Cloverleaf Mall Cinema. Or early dates with my high school sweetheart. For American youth since the 70′s, malls are one of the few places you can go. (Co

Today, I can visit the “new and improved” Cloverleaf by taking in the first installment of 2012 improvements to the vast commercial plot located in Chesterfield County on the county/city border on Midlothian Turnpike where Chippenham intersects. The 123,000 square foot property is the first to open at what will soon be known as “Stonebridge” – a multi-use development to include retail and housing. The new Kroger Marketplace is a true big box store featuring not only a wide grocery selection, but also a Starbucks (of course) and furniture, children’s clothing, housewares, and more.  Outside, shoppers will find a fuel station open with more retail under construction.

The cool site Richmond Bargains visited the new Southside Kroger and has a good breakdown of specials currently being offered during its grand opening. (picture borrowed from Richmond Bargains)

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports on opening day, Wednesday, December 5th, and notes that the store hopes to connect with the area’s growing Hispanic population by carrying popular Latino brands and staffing each department with Spanish speaking employees. Now that’s an improvement I can embrace.

Editor’s Note: As someone who never shops at Kroger since the corporation often supports issues that I’m opposed to and that they are the number two distributor, after WalMart, of genetically modified produce, I don’t expect to be supporting this development. But we’ll see how “Stonebridge” (hate the name) works out. Hopefully locally run businesses will have an opportunity to shape the improvement to Southside and I’ll be the first in line.

We’ll continue to cover this story as the night goes on.

Candidate Michelle Mosby takes on the incumbent Doug Conner in this the 2012 election. Both candidates are vying for your vote on Tuesday, November 6 so be sure to educate yourself and get out the vote. Local news and entertainment website, Richmond.com, caught up with the two candidates in the recent series, ’5 Questions With a Candidate’.

5 Questions With a Candidate: Doug Conner

5 Questions With a Candidate: Michelle Mosby

Need information on voting? See the Virginia State Board of Elections for information: http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/

Rattlemouth at Crossroads

Have you been to Crossroads Coffee & Ice Cream on Forest Hill Avenue? If you haven’t, you’ve probably seen it, and you need to stop in. It’s the cute, orange gas station repurposed into Southside’s coziest coffee shop. Located where Semmes Avenue turns into Forest Hill Avenue; a tricky little turn but worth the wait.

For years, Crossroads has been a place where people from all walks of life have come together to hang out, study, hold office hours, and grab a bite to eat. Over the past couple of years though, it’s become a little music mecca in Richmond, bringing people not just from Southside together to have a good time. Crossroad’s draw is that there’s no cover, and the space offers patrons an opportunity to sit feet from their favorite musicians or tables and chairs outside to visit with friends.

While beer geeks will be thrilled with the beer selection, wine lovers will prefer some more choices. And the menu could use a change up. But overall, Crossroads is a community treasure. A community center in our backyard!

You can check out Rattlemouth tonight, who perform a regular gig on the first Saturday of the month from 8-10:30pm. Keep Crossroad’s Calendar bookmarked!

The emergency shelter is located at Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, 14 West Duval Street. The shelter opens at 7 p.m. and closes the following morning at 6 a.m. Food will not be provided and pets are not allowed.

Residents in need of overnight shelter are asked to report to Commonwealth Catholic Charities Central Intake by 5 p.m. for a comprehensive intake and referral to the appropriate shelter. Commonwealth Catholic Charities Central Intake is located at the Freedom House Conrad Center, 1400 Oliver Hill Way, next to the Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and the Richmond City Jail. A referral to the Cold Weather Overflow Shelter will be provided to individuals who are not eligible for an existing shelter or if all available beds have been filled.

The city’s Department of Social Services (DSS) will accept Crisis Assistance applications through March 15, 2013, at 900 East Marshall Street, Monday through Friday; from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This program provides assistance with furnace repair or replacement and security deposits on a primary heating source. Residents may also call the Fuel Line at (804) 646-7046. DSS also provides emergency assistance with gas and electric disconnection notices for residents who qualify.

Elderly or residents with disabilities should contact Senior Connections for assistance at (804) 343-3000, Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Posted by Office of the Press Secretary to the Mayor at 12:08 PM

Based on the recalibrated weather forecast, the City’s Department of Public Works will not perform solid waste collection on Tuesday, October 30. Solid waste trash collection schedules will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week. The City also requests that residents secure their City issued supercan trash receptacles to keep them from being damaged or blown away by the wind.

Residents are again urged to prepare for high winds, possible downed tree limbs, power outages and possible flooding. To help prevent flooding and sewer backups, residents are asked to clear leaves, storm drains and sewer openings to prevent clogging. Also, check gutters and downspouts and clear debris from them if necessary. Please do not rake leaves into the street. Residents are asked to bag leaves for collection.

The City’s Department of Public Utilities has taken preparatory actions by cleaning stormwater drop inlets in areas prone to flooding.  Crews are continually monitoring these areas.  Residents are reminded never to drive through water flowing across a road. It only takes six to 12 inches of water to float a small vehicle. Never drive around barricades as any road closures have been put in place for your safety. Also, do not drive through standing water.  Use caution on all wet roads as driving too fast through water could cause you to lose control and hydroplane.

For up-to-date information and additional instructions from the city of Richmond during the storm, please visit www.Richmondgov.com, follow the City on Twitter @CityRichmondVA, and stay tuned to local radio and television stations.

With a prolonged weather event anticipated, the City’s 3-1-1 Call Center became operational today at 8 a.m. and will remain in operation for 24-hours a day until the anticipated storm event concludes. With major wind gusts and heavy rains expected, Mayor Dwight C. Jones is asking city residents to utilize 3-1–1 or (804) 646-7000 to report all non-life threatening emergencies and to report downed City trees or any trees blocking a public roadway.

The City’s Department of Public Works will respond to reports of downed City trees during daylight hours and when sustained winds are below 30 miles per hour. After nightfall and when sustained winds exceed 30-miles per hour, crews will only respond to emergency calls for service.

Residents are strongly advised to stay tuned to local TV and radio stations for the most current storm information. In the event your home loses electrical power, plan to have a battery-powered and/or hand-crank radio and extra batteries ready so that you can access weather information and instructions from officials.

For up-to-date information and additional instructions from the city of Richmond during the storm, please visit www.Richmondgov.com, follow the City on Twitter @CityRichmondVA, and stay tuned to local radio and television stations.

The City of Richmond has designated two Emergency Relief Shelters for city residents to utilize if they expect to be displaced by the effects of Hurricane Sandy.  Major power outages have been predicted throughout this prolonged weather event, and total rainfall is expected to reach 5 to 8 inches.

Two shelters are presently open and operating as of 8 a.m. this morning. The shelters are located at Linwood Holton Elementary School on the Northside (1600 West Laburnum Ave.)  and J. H. Blackwell Elementary on the Southside (1600 Everett Street). GRTC is providing transportation to the emergency relief shelters as needed.  Residents needing transportation to the shelters should look for the buses marked “Special” on the following routes:

Bus 1: Chimborazo going west to 21st Street to Princess Anne Ave. to Whitcomb Street to Ford Ave. back to Mechanicsville Tnpk. to Fairfield Way to 17th Street to Broad and then west to Malvern and turn right to Laburnum Ave. to Linwood Holton School.

Bus 2: Harrison Street and Main Street to Colorado Avenue to Meadow Street to Idlewood Ave. to Robinson to Main to Nansemond to Cary Street east on Cary Street to McCloy Street to Douglasdale Road to the Boulevard to Linwood Holton School.

Bus 3: Jeff Davis Hgwy. and Wamsley Boulevard to Semmes Ave. left to Forest Hill Ave. to Hug. School (no stop at Wall Mart) turn around and go back down Forest Hill Ave. to Semmes Ave. to Commerce Road to Maury Street to Blackwell School.

Bus 4: Hull Street west to Chippenham Parkway to Midlothian Tnpk. to Hull Street to 16th Street to Blackwell School.

Additionally, GRTC Route #74 Oak Grove will take residents to the Southside Shelter (Blackwell).  The Oak Grove bus will be running its regular route, but residents traveling to the shelter may identify themselves, and will not be charged a fee.

Mayor Dwight C. Jones declared a local state of emergency for the city of Richmond on yesterday. The city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is open and operating and will operate throughout the event. “I want to stress that this is the time to be proactive and prepare for the storm,” said Mayor Jones.  “It is vitally important that residents prepare for a prolonged weather event where we will likely see extended power outages. Also, if you think you are gong to be in need of emergency shelter, we encourage you to travel to the shelter sooner rather than later, so that you will not be traveling to the shelters in dangerous weather.”

For residents with medical needs, it is strongly advised that you act now to stock medicines and medical supplies. If you take medicine or use a medical treatment on a daily basis, be sure you have enough on hand to last at least a week.  This includes oxygen.  If you use oxygen please contact your supplier and request to have extra bottles delivered to you.   Do not depend on emergency responders to assist you with these types of supplies. Additionally, if you anticipate needing assistance during a disaster, make a plan for getting assistance from family, friends or others who can help you.  As part of your preparation, teach them how to operate your equipment or administer medications in case of an emergency.

Hull Street Corridor Revitalization Meeting

I took a lot of notes and will have to post later with the details. For now, good job Southside for showing your support of a brighter community for the Hull Street Corridor!

On the agenda for tonight is the monthly report by the Richmond Police Department and updates on the Hull Street Revitalization Plan. I’m not sure why the Councilman didn’t coordinate better with city officials who will holding an official meeting on the Hull Street 360 project not far away at Ramsey United Methodist Church, which begins at 6:00pm. If you can’t make the official meeting though, you’ll be sure to get an update at the community meeting at least.

Southside Baptist Christian School (Auditorium)
5515 Bryce Lane
Richmond, VA 23224
Community Meeting – 5:00-6:30pm
Community Dinner – 6:30-7:00pm