Ed 120: Announcing The Official Newcomers' Guide to Richmond
Image Source: @lookuprichmond
Hey there, Alicia here!
On August 1, we asked Richmonders (like you!) to submit your votes for the BEST businesses in 75 different categories, to help us create a guide that would be super useful for those who are new to the city.
On August 15, we closed voting and spent the next two weeks tallying the recommendations we received for each category so we could start creating this resource.
And on September 1, we announced — drumroll, please — The Official Newcomers’ Guide to Richmond!
This totally free community resource includes locals’ top 3 recommendations for specific categories of businesses and services all around Richmond, from dentists to mechanics to veterinarians and beyond.
We hope that you’ll share it with your friends, your family, or anyone else who asks you for suggestions pertaining to RVA.
Now for you, our incredible RVAx members, we’ve got some exciting members-only social news. Let’s talk about the brand new public camping site serving the Capital Trail, the beloved Scott’s Addition spot that finally got some outdoor seating, the mouthwatering bakery concept opening up in Church Hill, and more!
THE LATEST:
Image: @everbettercoffeeco
Image: @shopbittersweet
Image: @makery.rva
Image: @rivercityseltzer
SOCIAL NEWS
As Ron Swanson put it, “There has never been a sadness that can't be cured by breakfast food.” That’s why I was so excited to learn that Moore Street Cafe in Scott’s Addition is getting some outdoor seating — so we can all finally start sticking around for Moore-mosas and Richmond’s best pancakes instead of just ordering them for pick-up. As another Parks & Rec character liked to say, “Treat yo’self.”
Time to add another socially distant outdoor adventure to your RVA bucket list! Charles City just opened a new public camping area along the Virginia Capital Trail. The area features bike facilities, three campsites with picnic tables, and a group camping area. You can reserve a campsite Charles City County’s Department of Parks and Recreation. (See that Parks & Rec callback? Nailed it!) The camping area is at Lawrence Lewis Jr. Park, which is 27.4 miles from the start of the trail at Great Shiplock Park in Richmond — just about halfway there, if you’re going the full 52 miles along the trail to Williamsburg!
Good news for anyone tired of driving to Short Pump for their TJ’s fix! Gregory Gilligan at the Richmond Times-Dispatch wrote that the area’s second Trader Joe’s is expected to open in October in the Stony Point Shopping Center. I can practically taste the cookie butter already.
A new women’s boutique is set to open soon in Carytown, just in time to freshen up your fall wardrobe. Jack Jacobs at Richmond BizSense reported that the Charlottesville-based women’s shop BitterSweet Boutique plans to open at 3011 W Cary St this October. BitterSweet’s first retail spot opened in Charlottesville in 2001, and it was followed by two more locations in Lynchburg and Roanoke. Owner Paula Pekic focuses on trendy, bohemian fashion pieces (apparel, accessories, swimwear, and shoes), most of which will ring in at under $100. I spy a shopping spree in my future!
Church Hill is losing a bakery, but gaining a makery. The Richmond BizSense writer we all know and love, Mike Platania, wrote that WPA Bakery is closing its original Church Hill location and focusing all efforts on their Forest Hill location. And what will replace the bakery in Church Hill? JJ’s Makery, a similar concept that was actually dreamed up by two of WPA Bakery’s own employees, sisters Jessie Williams and Jackie Holsinger! JJ’s will offer baked goods, quiches, coffee, and other rotating menu items. They hope to open their doors in late October or early November.
Reminder: the city’s first hard seltzery will make its debut next weekend! River City Seltzer’s grand opening is scheduled for September 11 - 12.
HAPPENINGS
Celebrate Labor Day weekend with something sweet from The Jasper’s Lemonade Stand. On Friday, Saturday, and Monday from 3 - 7 pm, the folks at The Jasper will be serving up their famous lemonade (for $3 booze-free or $8 when you add a shot) from an honest-to-goodness lemonade stand, just outside of the bar. They’ll also have a variety of bottled cocktails and food available to go, starting at $4. Details here.
Weekly Giveaway
Pride Night Wednesdays with Soul Taco & Ruby Scoops at Kabana Rooftop
It’s Virginia Pride month! Celebrate with the new “Pride Nights” event series at Kabana Rooftop on Wednesdays from 4 pm - midnight through September.
Each week, Soul Taco will be serving up their Southern-Latin American fusion fare (think lobster empanadas, oyster po’ boy tacos, and more) alongside $5 house cocktails, $4 Truly can cocktails, and a custom signature cocktail made in collaboration with Ruby Scoops Ice Cream (using her fan-favorite mango sorbet).
We’re giving away a $30 gift card to use toward food or drink at this awesome weekly VA Pride celebration!
To enter to win: Tell me your go-to cocktail order! Mine is a French 75. Mmm.
Last week: Congratulations to Haley L for being our giveaway winner of the week! We hope you enjoy your Fridays Al Fresco tickets and complimentary bottle of wine at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
Member Perks
BLOSSOM
In case you haven’t already checked it out, BLOSSOM is a locally owned and operated, plant-based health and wellness store. They provide a curated collection of high quality, sustainable, ethically sourced products for health-conscious, wellness-seeking Richmonders.
Shop BLOSSOM online or in-store for lotions, salt scrubs, CBD products, wellness tonics, mushroom powders, and more to leave you feeling your best!
Be sure to use your RVAx member perk when you make a purchase — you can get 10% off just by telling them you’re an RVAx member at check-out!
new + trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
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Hey new members!
We'd like to welcome 36 new members this week: Rahaf A., Margo R., Charlotte S., T O., Abigail M., Madison O., Khadira B., Calisha W., Talie L., Lyndsi A., Virginia W., Jennifer W., Devyn K., Melissa P., Kristi O., Jessica F., Maggie R., Annette M., Katy S., Nolan G., Katelynn S., Lena M., Justin T., Maureen H., Laure P., Margaret V., Corinne G., Katie S., Erlyn G., Stephan B., Charmaine T., Skylar M., Melissa R., Cailyn L., Shelena D., and Morgan K., 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 120 of the Weekly Insider.
Stay well friends,
Alicia @ The Richmond Experience
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