James "Jim" Ukrop, former CEO of Ukrop's Super Markets and a towering civic visionary who shaped Richmond's commercial, artistic, and educational development, died on September 25, 2026, at the age of 89. His family-owned grocery chain grew from a single South Richmond store into a regional powerhouse.
From a Small Hull Street Market to a Regional Grocery Empire
The family business began during the Great Depression in 1937, when Joe and Jacquelin Ukrop opened a modest 16-by-32-foot shop at 3111 Hull Street in South Richmond after mortgaging the family farm for $1,000. Jim Ukrop, born that same year, literally grew up inside the operation.
After graduating from the College of William & Mary in 1960 with a business management degree, Jim joined the family enterprise full-time. Rather than taking a job offer from Kroger in southwest Virginia, he accepted a higher salary from his father to work as an assistant store manager, according to historical accounts from the grocery chain’s evolution. In 1963, he opened the company’s second store near Midlothian Turnpike and Buford Road. When his brother Bobby completed his MBA at the University of Virginia in 1972, the brothers began running the company together, eventually expanding the chain to 29 locations across Central Virginia.
The brand became legendary for setting retail standards. Driven by deeply held Baptist beliefs and Slovak heritage, the stores were famously closed on Sundays and never sold alcohol.
The 2010 Sale to Giant-Carlisle and the Pivot to Venture Capital
By 2009, intensifying competition from Food Lion and changing consumer habits made the traditional supermarket model harder to navigate. In December of that year, the family announced it would sell its 25 supermarkets to Giant-Carlisle for $140 million, transitioning the storefronts to the Martin’s brand.
Rather than retiring, Jim channeled his energy into Richmond’s economic future. He co-founded New Richmond Ventures, later known as NRV, to fund and mentor purpose-driven early-stage startups. Colleagues described him as a futurist who understood the societal megatrends driving modern business growth.
Civic Renaissance, the Arts, and Public Education
Jim Ukrop’s influence reached far beyond retail aisles into the civic architecture of Richmond. He helped form the downtown booster group Richmond Renaissance, aided in creating the Richmond Folk Festival, and served as a founding director of the Richmond Performing Arts Alliance, which raised funds to build the Dominion Energy Center for the Performing Arts.
Public education and teacher recruitment remained lifelong passions. Through organizations like Communities In Schools, he invested heavily in local classrooms and students.
“In fact, Jim was one of the very first people to suggest to me that I should consider running for mayor one day — almost 12 years ago. While the idea seemed completely preposterous to me at the time, in this, and so many other things, Jim could often see what others could not. Richmond is a better city for it.”
Mayor Danny Avula, via Wtvr
Six Decades of Devotion to William & Mary
His relationship with his alma mater, William & Mary, defined much of his adult life. Having met his wife of more than six decades, Barbara “Bobbie” Berkeley Ukrop, on campus, Jim maintained a lifelong leadership role at the university. He served as secretary of the Board of Visitors, president of the Alumni Association Board, and member of the William & Mary Foundation Board.
“Jim Ukrop was a lifelong innovator: pragmatic, savvy, and farsighted, and joyfully committed to the prosperity of his communities. His alma mater was the grateful beneficiary of his loyal leadership.”
Katherine A. Rowe, President of William & Mary, via Wtvr
He is survived by his wife, Bobbie; his brother, Bobby Ukrop; his sons Scott and Ted; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.