February 2, 2010
West End Market on Idlewood Ave Sees Improvements
11 Comments »
The West End Market at Idlewood and Shields has undergone some renovations. The bars have come off the windows and large and modern tinted glass has been installed.
Owner, Sunny Kang, says that her conversations with Byrd Park Civic League members revealed to her that many in the neighborhood refuse to patronize her convenience store because the store’s appearance acts as a deterent. Kang hopes that the new windows will help to improve perceptions of the store, which has been operating at the same location for nearly 25 years. She would like Byrd Park residents to take a closer look at her inventory, because she makes a concerted effort to carry most common household items. Kang is also happy to stock any items that her customers request (I can verify that she has stocked six-packs of Yuengling lager for the past five years, upon my request).
Change has also come to the West End Market in the form of a hair care store which has been integrated into the grocery space. Sunny’s husband, June, has recently closed the Nine Mile road location of his hair care store and combined it under one roof at Idlewood and Shields. Kang says this is significant for Richmond residents, because there are no retail outlets selling as extensive an array of hair care supplies for miles around.
Sunny’s husband added that he expects to have the exterior of the building repainted and the floors refinished during the warmer months of 2010.
In 2009, the West End Market was sporting a sign referring to permits for major renovations to the building. In 2008, Kang had requested and received permission to add a second level to her building for residential rental property while also opening space in the rear of the building for additional retail storefronts along Shields. Construction never got under way because Kang’s loan was not approved. However, she still has the permits for another year and may still go forward with those plans.
It is nice to see one of the small neighborhood markets being a good neighbor.
Thank you for this post. This is such a great neighborhood and it is so important that we support the neighborhood businesses who are truly our neighbors. I for one will be stopping by the West End Market to say hello and lend my support.
I’m glad to see the building start to look more welcoming. And, I’m even excited about some of the beauty products they’re carrying now (I love Queen Helen’s brand). Although I don’t buy many groceries at Sunny’s store, I still went there regularly for odds and ends, and especially my precious Yuengling beer (it’s cheaper than air conditioning or prozac). And, I know that it tastes as good as the same beer from Kroger, even though it’s sitting next to dozens of brands of 40oz malt liquors and fortified wine (insert sarcastic tone). The people on the corner and the panhandlers don’t scare me off, and I don’t think that’s their aim. But, I understand the trepidation.
I know no one brought this up, but it’s the elephant in the room. That stretch of Idlewood has a lot of stigma attached to it with the bus route, the litter, and disrepair. For whatever reason, most white people in Byrd Park feel uncomfortable going into the store. However, the occasional gunshots and obvious drug dealing have curtailed pretty dramatically in recent years. If the old Winthrop Hall would convert to something useful and active, then things could change very quickly. Especially when you consider that the other end of the footbridge to Fan now features a thriving coffee/sandwich shop and a yet to be determined new development in the old bus barn.
What do you all think?
Sunny said she would be interested in having the “Farm to Family” bus park by the Market so we can get fresh veggies to our neighborhood.
Here’s a great write-up on Farm to Family:
http://chpn.net/news/2010/02/03/farm-to-family-brings-fresh-veggies-to-the-east-end/
Would people use this if it was a resource for you?
“For whatever reason, most white people in Byrd Park feel uncomfortable going into the store.”
I have to say I smiled at this comment Jason. As a black resident here for 30+ years, there have been many-a-story/legend about the corner store on Idlewood. Definitely good to see it look more inviting and less like a prison. I think I’ll have to stop by again. :)
I like the Farm to Family idea; I’m always interested in LOCAL vegetables (esp. tomatoes) and honey.
I bought my house on Rosewood two years ago and have never patronized the market even though I’ve driven by it probably a few thousand times. With this new look I think I will…because yes the look and feel of the area surrounding it have not been enticing to me in the past. I would LOVE to see the Farm to Family bus in our neighborhood…thats a great idea. I too hope the old Winthop Hall will have a buyer and a facelift and will add to the greatness of our neighborhood.
Ken: I stand corrected. Prior to posting that comment, the overwhelming trend that I observed is white folks (like me) saying they’ve never been in. I’m not saying they’re wrong to avoid the store. That’s their choice.In fact, I wanted to represent a prevalent attitude. And since I see the store daily, living so close by, it seems like mostly African-Americans going in and out, led me to point out the disparity. However, maybe the store has been foreboding to Byrd Parkers in general, regardless of race.
Is it clear that I’m trying to spark a discussion around this? Regardless, to echo John M’s sentiment, “It’s good to see one of the small neighborhood markets being a good neighbor.”
John/Janine/Angela: I’m going to post a feature about that Farm to Family bus stop idea. I’m sure they’re always looking for location suggestions.
You know what would be really cool? If someone in the neighborhood was artistically inclined and got together with the Kangs about repainting the name with some color and a little bit of character. As long as it’s not against any kind of code, which I guess would need to be checked out. But personally I think that would do wonders for making the store look more welcoming.
[...] ByrdPark.net reporter, John Bourgeois, suggested in a recent comment thread that we ask that the Farm to Family bus make a regular stop in the neighborhood. The Farm to [...]
[...] the facade of the West End Market at Idlewood and Shields. This upgrade is coming on the heels of recent removal of bars over the windows and installation of new windows. The soffet area on any building is a prime area for water damage. Many of our houses and garages [...]