History
Ellwood Thompson's Local History
Ellwood Thompson's Local Market has a long and interesting history in organic and natural foods in Richmond, Virginia. Many local residents will remember the first incarnation of the store, although it was nothing like the Ellwood Thompson's of today.
In the mid 1980's, Eric Walters, an employee of Grace Place, Richmond's first vegetarian restaurant, began selling supplements, vitamins and a very limited selection of specialty natural products from a small corner of the restaurant. By the end of the 1980s it was time to expand.
Rick Hood, a local architect, was in the process of renovating a neighborhood shopping center. Together Hood and Walters opened City Market -- a small 3,000 square foot full-service community grocery store located near Patterson and Libbie avenues -- to serve Richmonders hungry for organic and natural groceries. The store also featured organic produce and a small takeout deli.
Then in 1993 City Market moved to a larger space in Carytown. Shortly after moving, the store was renamed based on the suggestion of an employee's 12-year-old daughter. Although many believe the store is owned by Mr. Ellwood Thompson, it's actually named after the streets that intersect where the store is located, Ellwood Avenue and Thompson Street. Later, Walters decided to pursue new interests and Hood became the sole owner of the market. Since then, Hood has become deeply committed to the store's mission of community and environmental practices. He also guides the store's expansion and continuing improvements.
The store continued to expand after its move to Carytown. Starting at just 5,000 square feet, the market grew in phases to its present size of 12,500 square feet, making it the largest independent organic grocery not only in Richmond, but in all of Virginia. The store that began with one staff member now employees nearly 135 and is positioned for growth once again. In 2007, Ryan Youngman was hired as the CEO of the company. He lives in Hanover County and often visits local farmers nearby who sell to the store. His commitment to local products and the Richmond community is evidenced throughout the store.
As Ellwood Thompson's Local Market approaches its twentieth year in operation, it is adding another 2,500 square feet of retail space and opening a coffee shop, Ellwood's Coffee, in a former ice cream shop across its parking lot. The store will offer more prepared foods and bakery items fresh from the ovens of its own bake house across Thompson Street.
Ellwood Thompson's principles have remained consistent throughout these changes and although conventional grocery stores have added natural grocery sections, Ellwood Thompson's remains the leading source of healthy foods in Richmond.
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Do you wish you had a mid-sized, friendly market in the heart of your neighborhood? Maybe you and your neighbors have difficulty finding natural and organic products? Let us know! Ellwood Thompson's is expanding and always looking for new locations. Email Ryan Youngman.
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