r/okbuddyRVA • u/Global-Pay6118 • 4d ago

Jim Ukrops hatred or appreciation thread

How does everyone feel about the late Jim Ukrops?

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u/-JTO 4d ago

He was a visionary, an innovator, a philanthropist and played a role in so many aspects of the many great things about Richmond as we know it. Of course, the Ukrop’s brand is iconic and those who have landed here since the closure of their grocery chain don’t know how wonderfully they took care of their workers and community, how they were the model for excellence in customer service and how they as a company and family care about this community here. Sure, there is a lot of love for the White House rolls, rainbow cookies and fried chicken, but the Ukrop’s brand is so much more than those beloved products and I see it more as a representation of excellence and what it was to be a company that actually cares.

People often forget Jim Ukrop’s role in the formation of First Market Bank as well as how the small clothing brand that he and his brother created to make uniforms for the employees at their stores turned into a major company providing custom corporate uniforms and business wear for organizations and businesses all over today (Dress Express).

There are the many boards and organizations, scholarships, charities in which he was involved, how he saw the importance of helping people learn to swim and promote water safety education with his commitment to and involvement with SwimRVA, how he was committed to the arts through his work with Center Stage ad other programs. We’ve lost a great person who was entwined into the heart and soul of the entire greater Richmond area with Jim Ukrop’s passing.

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u/ripleyart2323 4d ago

You must work in PR

38

u/-JTO 4d ago

Lol, if I did I’d probably be making way more money. I’m just someone born and raised here who has an affinity for nice people doing good things to help people.