Ukrop’s Roanoke Outpost Hits Hard Times: Reports

RICHMOND, Va. — Ukrop’s lone store in Roanoke, Va. needs a substantial increase in business to stay afloat, according to local news reports.

The retailer, based here, expanded to Roanoke 18 months ago, but a slow economy has delayed development and leasing at the shopping center where it is located, and has also put a tax-incentive program to build that center in jeopardy, according to a report in the Roanoke Times last week.

According to the article, Bobby Ukrop, president and chief executive officer, has sent letters to area residents encouraging them to shop and saying a lack of co-tenants has made business difficult. “We believe in the viability of this area, but without strong retail co-tenants to draw more traffic to the center, it is difficult to build business as a stand-alone operator,” reports quoted the letter as saying.

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