Ed 119: Rooftop Tiki Drinks, Donut Pop-Ups, Mask Subscriptions
Image Source: @thejonyee
Hey there, Alicia here!
First, I just want to say thank you.
Your responses to the news about Sam and Sean’s move have been incredibly supportive, and the RVAx team is so grateful! While we know change can be scary, we are confident and more than prepared for this next chapter in The Richmond Experience’s story.
Second, it sounds like now might be a great time for me to re-introduce myself, since you’re about to start seeing a lot more of me!
My name is Alicia, and I’m the managing editor and media director here at RVAx. I joined the team back in May, and I’ve been handling our content strategy and managing some of our local partnerships as Sam and Sean brought their sweet little Sloan into the world.
I live in Northside with my husband Andrew (who isn’t a part of the RVAx team but will likely be on the Instagram Story from time to time!) and our Great Pyrenees pup, Luna. When we’re not social distancing in our backyard, which we call the Northside Country Club, we love traveling, going out on the water, and drinking beer.
Which brings me to my side hustle, Work For Your Beer. One of my best friends and I co-founded this directory of beer fitness events (think brewery yoga, run clubs, etc.) back when I lived in Charlotte. We’ve expanded to a few new cities in the four years since we launched, and it’s been a blast!
I’m also — insert sweating and panic breathing here — in the process of writing my first book, which will be focused on connection and mental health. (Am I nuts? Do I sleep? No and no!)
Okay, enough about me. Let’s talk about some of the newest food and drink pop-ups happening around Richmond this week (from donuts to cheese boards to tiki drinks), the new Richmond-based mask subscription folks are scrambling to sign up for, and all the other juicy social news we’ve got for you this week!
THE LATEST:
Image: Barrel Thief Wine Shop & Cafe
Image: @hatchcaferva
Image: @beaunuts
Image: Olivian
SOCIAL NEWS
Would you like some cheese with that wine? I’ll assume your answer is “Heck yes!” when you find out that Barrel Thief Wine Shop & Cafe is now hosting a weekly pop-up with Truckle Cheesemongers on Thursdays. For $30, you can get a scrumptious spread complete with three cheeses, one meat, and a variety of extras (like nuts and dried fruit) to bring out the flavors of your selections. Wine’s not included, but we definitely recommend adding a bottle or two to pair with your food. Order by Thursday at 10:30 am for pick up on Thursdays starting at 4 pm each week! Time to finally learn how to correctly pronounce “charcuterie.”
You’ve got two chances to go nuts for donuts this week. Beaunuts is a popular pastry pop-up (say that three times fast) that serves up old school Southern-style buttermilk donuts that are melt-in-your-mouth good. First up, you can find them at the Roosevelt on Friday from 8 - 11 am (pre-orders go live on Wednesday at 3 pm and will close Thursday at 3 pm). Then you can find them in the West End on Sunday from 8 - 11 am at the covered bridge in Crown Grant (pre-orders go live on Thursday at 3 pm and will close Friday at 3 pm).
Side note: I drove myself nuts trying to find an address for the aforementioned covered bridge, which is apparently “A Thing,” to the point where Sam suggested that I might need a time-out. I came back from my time-out and still couldn’t find it. Hopefully y’all know where it is… And if so, someone tell me!
Have you checked out the new Hatch Cafe? This new spot is located inside of Hatch Kitchen, which is a food and beverage incubator and commissary kitchen off of Maury Street in Southside. They currently serve thoughtfully crafted and simple lunches (soups, salads, sandwiches — but like, really good ones) and Nightingale ice cream sandwiches, through contact-free ordering and at socially distant seats if you want to dine in. They also host delicious and exciting pop-ups on the reg, so far with their pals at Cobra Burger but with other concepts coming soon. They’re currently open Monday - Friday, 11 am - 2 pm, but rumor has it they’re adding breakfast items into the rotation soon!
Northside is getting a new coffee shop and BBQ joint all in one (yes, you read that right). Not a traditional combo, admittedly, but definitely one that has our mouths watering — The Smoky Mug will soon open in the space formerly occupied by Blackhand Coffee’s Cafe Nostra at 15 E Brookland Park Blvd. The owners, Northside couple Dan Lee and Marcella Coleman, posted in Nextdoor that this is a complete change of ownership, and that it “will be run by your fellow neighbors who care about this community.” They plan to hit the ground running with the coffee side of things first, with Tex-Mex craft BBQ following soon after.
With the newly opened Brookland Park Market, the soon-to-open Ruby Scoops, the still-relatively-new Fuzzy Cactus, Ninja Kombucha, and Ms. Bee’s Juice Bar on the block, and all the staple spots the neighborhood was built on still going strong, I’ve just gotta say: Northside is on the come-up, y’all! #NeighborhoodPride
If you tend to be drawn to the funkiest beers on the tap list, you’re not gonna want to miss this event. Fine Creek Brewing in Powhatan is hosting the Wild & Weird Festival, a celebration of sour, funky, and wild ales around Richmond. “Festival” is a loose term here, because this isn’t a one-day, packed-with-people event — the celebration will take place every weekend in September, showcasing some of the “wildest and weirdest” beers that Fine Creek has brewed themselves as well as guest taps from other funky folks throughout the region. They plan to maintain their regular taproom setup: you’ll order and pick up at the bar, then go sit outside. Pucker up!
Since it looks like we’re going to be wearing masks for a while, now might be a good time to sign up for a mask subscription. Richmond start-up Olivian makes disposable face masks that feature a high-density filter, which is particularly useful for at-risk populations. This week, they’re launching their new subscription service, delivering either 50 or 500 face masks monthly to homes or businesses. Olivian masks are convenient, disposable, and effective — and they’re also made of ultra-soft and breathable fabric, with an adjustable nose piece for a snug fit. Sign me up.
HAPPENINGS
This Sunday, catch tropical vibes on an airy rooftop deck with tiki cocktails and Pacific inspired food. Pineapple Trade Co. is popping up at the Fan’s popular rooftop spot Postbellum this Sunday from 5 - 11 pm.
Reservations are required in advance at $15/person, which gets you a guaranteed (socially distant and sanitized) seat; your choice of Tuna Poke, Vegan Poke, or PTC Pork Poke; and swag, while supplies last. Reserve your spot now here!
Pssssttt: In case you were wondering, this pop-up didn’t pay us or give us free stuff or anything — we just thought this looked like a cool event that RVAx members might be interested in! If you ever see events you think would be cool to add to our Event Calendar or to feature in the Weekly Insider, feel free to send ‘em our way for consideration.
Weekly Giveaway
Fridays Al Fresco at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
On Friday nights now through the end of September from 5 - 9 pm, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is hosting Fridays Al Fresco so you can spend a relaxing evening social distancing with loved ones while surrounded by 50 acres of gorgeous gardens and greenery!
Members and non-members alike can buy a timed ticket (to ensure no crowding and keep everyone safe!) to explore the expansive grounds, enjoying fresh air and fragrant blooms during golden hour, at sunset, or as dusk falls. Food and drink are available online for purchase so you can set up your own picnic, too.
We’re giving away 4 adult tickets ($14/each) and a complimentary bottle of wine ($24) to one lucky RVAx member!
To enter to win: Tell me your favorite flower! Mine would either be calla lilies or lotus flowers. So gorgeous!
Last week: Congratulations to Dudley S. for being our giveaway winner of the week! We hope you enjoy your Whole Bird from Fuzzy Cactus.
Member Perks
Vitality Float Spa
This wellness studio in Carytown focuses on using alternative spa services like float therapy to take “zen” to a whole new level!
We highly recommend stopping by the float spa. Each float tank is a large bathtub designed to reduce distractions like light, sounds, gravity, and tactile sensations. The water is heated to skin temperature and filled with 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt, allowing you to float effortlessly and fully relax.
Both of the float tanks at Vitality Float Spa offer a light button and music button with high, medium, and low volume levels, so you can create your own environment for relaxation within your tank.
Be sure to use your RVAx member perk when you book — members of The Richmond Experience get 15% off reflexology, AmpCoil, and floatation services!
new + trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey new members!
We'd like to welcome 30 new members this week: Krystle D., Emily T., Darcy E., Jakob M., Erica M., Laura V., Sarah D., Chances T., Andrea D., Chelsea D., Emily H., Amber V., Kendell C., Vrinda P., Shelly T., Evy C., Tara S., Christian R., Heather M., Becky S., Brynn J., Kay M., Courtney K., Collyn D., Brandi S., Hayley W., Harry E., Macie M., and Katherine L., we're so glad you're here!
It takes a village so let us know if you have any questions, thoughts, feedback, tips, or recs! Thanks for reading edition 119 of the Weekly Insider.
Stay well friends,
Alicia @ The Richmond Experience
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