The Trendspotter: February 2022
We’re back again with your monthly dose of must-know news, The Trendspotter! This content series features monthly roundups of the newest and hottest businesses (namely, restaurants and bars!) around RVA.
It’s Cupid szn, everyone! Grab the ones you love and check out these five best-of-the-best things around the city this February.
— by Kelsey Heintz, Contributing Writer
The Book Bar
What it is: Richmond’s first part-bookstore, part-wineshop, opening on February 5.
Why we love it: Words are the best love language (like, literally, tho), and books are a great way to speak that language. The Book Bar centers its inventory on “BIPOC authors and brands in an effort to uplift and support a culture that is often silenced.” So, when you shop here, you’re elevating a local business and varied voices. Grab a book for yourself, grab a book for your friend; really speak that language of love this month, you know?
Where to find it: 1311 E Main St (Shockoe Slip)
Brun
What it is: A cigar and whiskey lounge, serving Caribbean-inspired eats, playing live music, and coming to the Fan this month.
Why we love it: It’s a fresh concept to hit the scene, and the owners (first Northside neighbors, now friends and business partners) emphasized the importance of diversity as they set up shop. “We predominantly partnered with minority contractors, Black-owned businesses, and women-owned businesses, so when the final product is rolled out, all they see is excellence,” co-owner Charles Wilson told Richmond magazine. We see it, and we’ll be there—whiskey neat, please.
Where to find it: 203 N Lombardy St (The Fan)
Celladora Wines
What it is: A (mostly) natural wineshop that also has room for you to sit down and pair a glass (or two) with a few snacks.
Why we love it: Shop owner Megan Lee Hopkins wanted to create a spot that encouraged “discovery and discussion” around wine, rather than the stuffier feel that can sometimes overwhelm it. The new space in the Fan certainly delivers on that comfortability factor, bright ambiance and friendly conversation included.
Where to find it: 111b N Lombardy St (The Fan)
Galentine’s Party at Pop of Confetti
What it is: An event hosted by the very-fun-and-colorful gift shop Pop of Confetti that could rival Leslie Knope’s Galentine’s Day. (But there won’t be mosaic portraits of each guest made from the crushed bottles of their favorite diet sodas (as far as we know).)
Why we love it: There will be drag shows every hour, charcuterie cups, beauty touch-ups, chocolate tastings, and of course, the opportunity to shop all the locally crafted gifts sprinkled throughout the store. Don’t forget to snap a pic with your girlfriends in front of the beloved rainbow wall of tassels.
Where to find it: 3422 W Cary St (Carytown)
Richmond Cider Days
What it is: A week-long celebration of cider, running through February 4 and spotlighting lots of local faves, including (but definitely not limited to) Blue Bee Cider and Buskey Cider.
Why we love it: Because Taylor Swift released “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” too late into Sad Girl Autumn, and we’re still blasting it, just without all the must-have fall pairings. And also because we love special cider flights, prize drawings, exclusive cider releases, cidery tours, and other cidery things of the like.
Where to find it: Richmond City and its surrounding areas; click the link below to ~learn more~.
Sharing new trends each month!
Check back the first week of each month for a new edition of The Trendspotter to find out which businesses you need to know about (and check out!) in RVA.
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