Capital City Grocery Now Open

by Dana

Downtown's newest grocery store, the Capital City Grocery, opened today in the Seaboard complex.

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Comments

[yoga]

Indeed!! It's a cutie, too - really nice deli section with Boar's Head products. Also a nice meat & fish section.

The owner was there with a smile and said if there was anything we wanted but didn't see, bring him the upc code and he would get it. They have a 1M sf warehouse apparently that pretty much has everything.

He was bummed because the milk didn't get delivered yesterday, and the wine section is yet to be set up. Still - we were so happy that it's finally open we didn't give a damn! Bought a bag of apples, some coffee, and will be regulars, I'm sure. YAY! (Does this mean we're old if we get excited that a grocery store opens?!)

[Raleigh Rendezvous]

sounds like a great place, we will have to check it out.

[Deatonator]

I checked out the new Capital City Grocery store at Seaboard on Wednesday the 18th. It was great! I like small grocery stores and have been excited about finally having a grocery store near Mordecai. All of the people working in there were super friendly, and I was able to quickly get all of the things I remembered I needed (bread,milk,banannas,cat litter,grape jelly). The prices were good and the dude carried my groceries out to the car! The produce, meat, and seafood sections all looked fresh and neat. There were people sitting at the little tables outside, drinking coffee from the coffee bar and reading the newspaper. The place just had a "good vibe". I will definately go back for all of my grocery shopping.

[Born at Wade & St. Mary's]

It is definitely the most convenient grocery store for us. We went there with a list and found everything we needed. Nice folks, clean space, fresh produce and meats.

One concern: For the space limitations in the building, I think they may be making a mistake by having such a large wine section. It would seem to me they could expand their inventory by using that space for something else and focusing less on wine, especially with the Seaboard Wine Shop just across the parking lot.

[RayRay]

Trader Joe's missed a huge opportunity by not locating there. As a resident of the neighborhood, I have to say that it would have been a HUGE hit here. I emailed the developers, who had contacted them. They said at the time they were not interested in "our market". Now they are located in nowheresville Cary and are looking for a space in Cameron Village, according to the Marketing Director there. *sigh*

[yoga]

Update: I stopped in over the weekend and chatted with Ray, the owner for awhile. He said they are still making adjustments to things. He also said he will be bringing in organic products this week and putting them all in one place so we didn't have to hunt every aisle for what we wanted. I urge folks to give him their feedback on what they want - he is willing to make it work, but he can't change what he doesn't know about, so let him know!

[Isaac]

When did Cary become "nowheresville"?
And honestly, are you implying that people aren't going to drive to Cary to shop at TJ's? Hell, I've heard people from all over the state saying they'll be driving to Joe's once a month, NO MATTER where it was built.

[emily]

The perfect neighborhood grocery store. Sure, it is not Trader Joe's, but as much as I love specialty stores like that they become a crowded nightmare to navigate on a regular basis. Capital City is a small, friendly place to run and get items for dinner, milk in the morning, a late-night ice cream run, etc. Easy and efficient. Plus, I love the coffee bar. Larry's Beans are local and delicious.

[Dana]

Emily, you rule. Anyway, I got to stick my head in there on Saturday and I agree with the above comments. It's not a store that people need to drive all over town to find, but serves its area really well.
My only complaints regard lighting and other decor. I really hate 2x4 fluorescent lighting in retail settings. There are a few of those fixtures and they suck all the energy out of a space. The lighting for the wine area is too dark, so maybe some halogen spots would make that corner very attractive.
The other change I would make may be in the works, anyway. The maroon walls are kind of stark. They fit well on great webpages :) , but the walls need to add some personality to the store. I think something like giant 5'x7' wallpaper photos from Raleigh would be perfect. The Glenwood Village HT used to have them and it made the store feel really neighborhoody. Photos of the Capitol, Mordecai, Peace, flowers at Logans, maybe even a really urban shot in downtown, etc would truly make the place warm looking.

[RaleighRob]

Glad to hear they'll be adding organic items. Could become a good alternative to Whole Foods. I like WF, but the crowding there gets ridiculous at times. As does the Cameron Village Harris Teeter on certain days.

It was about time we had more grocery options Inside-The-Beltline. I can't wait to try Capital City grocery.

[lovingraleighthesedays]

i just went by there today and I must say, I love it! The people are super friendly and I really hope the place does well. As far as price point, its right on target with HT. The selection isn't as huge, but that makes sense given that its not a chain, and I don't mind trading a gigantic selection for a more neighborhood feel. Its so great to have a grocery store closer to the downtown area! Definitely check it out!

[Amy G]

I've already shopped at Capital City Grocery and I hope you all will too! It's so nice to have a small, neighborhood grocery store.

[Eddie A]

Capital City Grocery... how about Weaver Street Market instead? I think that would be a bigger hit and certainly would have more to choose from. A Weaver Street Market in Seaboard would be a perfect match! Can we get one?!!!

[sdg1970]

It is a really cool store and I dont live down there but have a lot of clients downtown so I do like to shop there. People should support this store as the city seems to have promised the owner so much and wont even let them put up a sign for this new shopping area. There are lots of other really great stores and restaurants down there. Hopefully Raleigh will support this area as I believe it is important to continue the growth of our downtown area.

[becky]

So....there is paper up on all the windows at Capital City Grocery. All it says is something like "renovation in progress". In a basically brand new store?!

A neighbor across the hall said something about the store getting a grant from the city to stay alive. Anyone know anything?

[RaleighRob]

^Don't know about a "grant" but they are getting a revamp: http://www.newsobserver.com/126/story/564010.html

[150]

I noticed this on Saturday as well, when I went to pick up a few items. Frankly, I don't understand why there wasn't an explanation about the closing or information about the reopening. The store had been doing a good job with emails and other information, so this is a bit confusing.

Also, why the renovation? I'm sure I don't know what I'm talking about, but it seems to me like it hasn't been open long enough to need a renovation. There didn't seem to be anything wrong with the store before.

As I've said before.....I'm trying hard to support Capital City Grocery, but I just don't think it's going to make it.

[150]

Thanks for the link, RaleighRob. After reading that, I'm a little more optimistic for Capital City's survival. I still agree with the quote about the question of if it can survive, but if there truly is a large group of loyal, vocal supporters, then that's great news.

[Rob]

I hope it survives. Had high hopes in the beginning but after numerous visits to get basic items and standard previously stocked items (skim milk, yogurt, fake half & half, canned tuna, whole wheat wraps, no fat cheese, turkey sausage) to find empty shelves I've just about given up hope. I'm tired to filling out comment card and then having to go to another store. Sorry to be negative...

[Bob]

As I understand it, there are some additional investors (not a grant) and Capital City is taking action on some of the items/requests by its patrons. In order to re-vamp some of the more crutial areas, they have decided to close briefly and have a Grand Re-Opening soon. I am looking forward to the new store just as I did the original one.

[Former CCG Employee]

I'm writing this to you to explain my concern about Capital City Grocery. I am one of the original workers from when the store opened. Ed Weems in a Conniving man who screwed over not only Ron, but all of the fellow employees. And just by looking at him and hearing his false promises to us, we all knew what a slime ball he was.

As for the negative things that Mr.. Weems has said about Mr.. Bold along with the rest of the staff, those things are just not true. We catered to our customers 100%. They wanted it. We got it. We did our best. All of the employees were very friendly and went 110% out of our way for our customers to ensure that there visit was a pleasant and friendly one. Not to mention, but even our loyal customers were offering us jobs when they felt the company was failing because they liked and cared for us so much.

Yes, we were in fear of our jobs. For many of us, it was our full time job and we had quit other previous jobs because we believed in this store. We did not know each other in the beginning. But as the months went by, we became a family that was broken up by Mr.. Weems.

We closed on a Thursday. And were told by Mr.. Bold and Mr.. Weems that we would be open in two weeks, that we all still had jobs, and that we would be all part of the renovations. We had our meeting the next Monday, And Mr. Weems promised all who attended that they still had jobs. That we were not unemployed by any means. He even made us swipe in for pay, even though we all knew we would never see that money.

At this meeting, we were told that there was quite a bit of money that needed to go back into this project and were to give suggestions. MR.. Weems son, Mason, is also apart of this renovation process. As employees were giving there input, Mason was to be taking notes, instead he was leaning on some boxes, biting his fingernails pretending to care. We all found this to be very insensative.

Mr.. Weems is part of the reason we failed in most of our eyes. He came to Ron as someone who was supposed to help us market and advertise our business. Lets just say, he didn't do to much and what he did do, didn't mean a thing. We would bring up suggestions and just the simplest thing as to just putting some flyers on our windows to explain to customers about our current situation. Mr. Weems said, "Masons working on it". Well that was in March and at the end of April, still no signs.

Regardless, Id love to protest the new CCG. I wouldn't support the man who promised people jobs, to only forget about us and heir only but 2 of us back. I have 6 years of management grocery skills and could run circles around that man when it comes to this business. But I want him to struggle just like we struggled for months until we finally realized that Mr. Weems promises of a job had gone down the drain. Many of us realized this before it was too late and found new jobs. I mean technically, we all still work for Capital City Grocery. We have yet to be told we no long work for this company.

But I just thought that everyone should know. CCG meant well and so did Mr. Bold.

[Ed Weems]

Response to anonymous person who says they are a former Capital City Grocery Employee.

Eveyone certainly has their right to their own opinion. That is one of the things that makes this country such a wonderful place to live in. I would like to, however, correct several inaccuracies in the posting on July 17 by that person.

First, every person who worked for the previous company operating as Capital City Grocery was provided an opportunity to apply to work with the new company. Without exception those who did apply were hired and are, I believe quite happy in their current position here. We would still seriously consider employing any person who formerly worked there.

Second, McClain and Bold, Inc., the company that formaly operated as Capital City Grocery, still exists as a company and if they did not pay any salaries due, as implied, they are legally obligated to pay them and should.

Third, the fact that McClain and Bold did not continue to operate was solely their decision. They needed funding to continue and had opportunities for that additional funding. They alone elected to not accept that funding or continue the business and to instead sell its assets.

Fourth, I seriously doubt that Ron Bold, part owner and former manager of Capital City Grocery would agree with the charges of the anonymous former Capital City Grocery employee. He participated in the decision to not continue with that company, made a very nice new job decision and has moved on with his life.

Finally, we certainly understand and emphasize with those employess on the former Capital City Grocery staff. Each if them was outstanding in their efforts to make the business a success and thay all deserve a great deal of credit for the business doing as well as it did.
Ed Weems, President
Capital City Grocery, Inc.

Third,

[150]

I've tried to be supportive of CCG from the beginning, as I've said in my posts in this thread and others, even though I doubt how successful it can be.

I think I'm at the end of caring now. Too much drama with this place. Not enough convenience.

[Jackson]

Went to visit the store the other day to see for myself what they had done with the store. To say I was disappointed is a understatement. Empty shelves. Produce was maybe one third full. What happened to the expanded produce section? The product selection was not much better than what was their before. I did think they had a good beer selection.Meat and Seafood was sparse. Was not a customer in the store while I was there. I don't know who they got to run that store for them, but they don't know the retail grocery business. They need some help that is for sure. I will still be shopping at H.T. and the Fresh Market. Sorry

[SMcDonald]

Maybe that would be a good place for Trader Joe's?

Hmmm...