Free Union’s Georgetown Farm, in operation since 1978, is shutting down. The beef and bison farm is owned by billionaire Edgar Bronfman Sr., and just recently expanded to create the Georgetown Farm Market in Albemarle Square and the Buffalo Hill shop up in Madison. All that’s official for the time being is that the two retail locations are closing down, but the word on the street (and in the paper) is that Bronfman’s financial advisors have recommended axing the whole thing. 25 people will lose their jobs. John Yellig has the story in today’s Progress.
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
Sideblog
Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
foursix and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
-
Archive for Sideblog »
is it me or does Albemarle Square shopping just is bad luck. I am sorry but people complain about retail space moving outward instead of going where there is already place for it.
It just seems that with ACAC (the rich people gym) and Outback (where everyone who isn’t down with local resturants) go. BTW, OB is like pack every freakin night.
Yet Albemarle Square is just a waste land. I can’t explain it.
You english is make me difficult.
well if us had preview buttom then me can proof rad my post.
If (when?) Circuit City goes, you’re looking at a dead shopping area, with the exception of Plan 9. Redevelopment ideas anyone?
in my opinion….service has never been the same since Kico left.
I’ve spoken with a former tenant of Albemarle Square, and it sounds like a management problem. The owners or the property management company that represents them appear to be deliberately keeping their income in rents low. I have no idea why, but I suspect something to do with income tax. I like to think that people act badly out of corruption rather than incompetence. Call me an optimist.
I strongly doubt that redevelopment is an option given the situation, but if there were a change in ownership or in the owner’s economic strategy, I think a dense, mixed-use development conforming to the neighborhood model would make financial sense. Naturally, housing costs should reflect the mix of incomes in the Charlottesville region. This is the development area after all.
Can I adopt a bison?
The rich people gym? Yup – livin’ large from my duplex, looking down on the little people yelling "Let them eat cake!"
On topic … Georgetown shutting down sucks. Bison is good stuff. Very lean and very tasty.
Bronfman seems to be the kiss of death for many a going concern. Cf Montreal Expos.
His support of dubious political causes has also left a bad taste that Seagram’s wine coolers do not mask.
–KMR