Ed 123: Your RVA Fall Bucket List (Socially Distant Edition)
Image Source: @_kyleboykin
Hey there, Alicia here!
Now that it’s officially autumn, I’m ready to fully jump into fall fun with both feet.
At this point, anything that can be pumpkin spice-flavored or -scented in my home is so, from my coffee creamer to the hand soap in our bathroom and beyond. Call me basic if you must; no shame here!
If you’re also feeling ready to embrace the season, then you’re going to want to read through some of our latest city guides including RVA Fall Bucket List: Socially Distant Edition, 10 of the Top Camping Spots Within 2 Hours of Richmond, and Your Fall Workout Guide.
Whether you’re a fall-lover or not, you should get excited for this week’s edition of the Weekly Insider, including details about an upcoming Oktoberfest celebration catered specifically to dog parents; the opening and reopening dates just announced for six different businesses around the city, ranging from coffee shops to ballrooms to sushi spots; and more.
Ready to get the scoop? Let’s go!
THE LATEST:
Image: @switchrva
Image: @the.crownroom
Image: @luckyaf_rva
Image: @stellasgrocery
SOCIAL NEWS
Burgers, bubbly, and a Brazilian band at a ballroom? Count me in. Downtown Richmond’s self-proclaimed “faux hotel and highfalutin’ mini golf course,” Hotel Greene, has expanded its wildly inventive backstory to include a new crown jewel — pun intended. The grand opening celebration of The Crown Room (otherwise known as “a real ballroom for a faux hotel”) will take place this Friday, September 25. Tickets to this swanky and socially distanced soirée are $45 each, which includes one specialty burger with a side, one classic cocktail of choice (or beer/wine, if you prefer), a slice of cake from Fat Rabbit Cakes, a bubbly toast, and live music from band Quatro na Bossa. Reserve your tickets here, either for the 6:30 pm or 8 pm seating.
Fall = Virginia winery hopping season. Personally, I’ve been drooling over the new seasonal items at Upper Shirley Vineyards in Charles City, including a Cran-Apple Frosé along with a full-fledged fall picnic menu. But there are so many other vineyards you can visit within driving distance, too! Be sure to check out our new city guide, 10 Wineries Worth Visiting Within 2 Hours of Richmond — author Paige Poprocky of Sips & Trips With Paige wrote out her recommendations in the order in which she’d visit each winery, if you’re looking for a winery-hopping itinerary.
I’ve heard of a lot of pumpkin spice-flavored things, but a Pumpkin Spice 5K? That’s a first. Sports Backers just announced this new virtual race, which you can participate in (on your own or with your fellow fall-lovin’ friends or family) anytime between now and October 30. Race registration is $17, which includes a Pumpkin Spice 5K t-shirt, a printable Pumpkin Spice 5K race bib, and a virtual event badge. Consider also making a donation directly to Sports Backers, a local 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to advocate for safe and accessible bike and pedestrian infrastructure, offer affordable free fitness classes, and support running clubs at area schools!
What’s the only thing that could make Oktoberfest even better? Dogs, obviously! And Strangeways Brewing is making our pups-and-pints dreams come true with their Barktoberfest event on Saturday, October 3. This dog-friendly celebration will take place at the brewery’s Dabney Road location (2227A Dabney Rd) and will feature beer, music, food, and canine-themed vendors.
Take advantage of this beautiful fall weather with self-guided tours of our city. The Valentine just released four different Richmond History Tour options, including an Oregon Hill neighborhood walking tour, a Jackson Ward mural walking tour, a Richmond Cemeteries driving tour (a great choice for the start of spooky season!), and a Capitol Square walking tour with optional bingo cards that makes a perfect activity for stir-crazy kids and adults alike. You can either print a PDF to guide you through the tour of your choice, or just visit the Google Maps guide created for each one on your device as you explore!
And last but not least, this week was rife with development news! We learned about five new openings and re-openings that have either already happened or will be happening around the greater Richmond area in the coming weeks (six, if you include The Crown Room mentioned above!), including:
- Stella’s Grocery, who announced plans to open a new location in place of the now-closed Starbucks on Grove Ave — along with another new location they have in the works, expected to open in Forest Hill this fall (5802 Grove Ave - Libbie Grove; 4910-4930 Forest Hill Ave - Southside)
- Lucky AF, a modern sushi restaurant combining traditional elements of Asian fusion dishes with elevated flavors and creativity, expected to open in Scott’s Addition next week (3103 West Leigh St)
- Blanchards Coffee, which will take over the former Lamplighter Coffee space in The Fan, opening date TBD (26 N Morris St)
- 7 Muffins A Day, a new gluten-free and dairy-free bakery that just opened in Ashland serving coffee, bread, muffins, cakes, mousse cups, cookies, brownies, and more (10364 Leadbetter Rd, Ashland)
- Crossroads Coffee & Ice Cream, a neighborhood favorite in Southside, announced that they will reopen on September 30 (3600 Forest Hill Ave)
HAPPENINGS
Mark your calendars and blast the Yellowcard, because “Ocean Avenue” is coming to Richmond this Thursday. Kidding, Yellowcard isn’t really involved — but their most popular song did inspire the title of a highly anticipated culinary pop-up happening this week.
Local chef Ocean Moore is bringing the “Ocean Avenue” Asian street food pop-up to Switch Pop-Up Bar this Thursday, September 24 from 5 - 11:59 pm. You can look forward to mouthwatering menu items like pork belly bao buns, Korean-fried cauliflower, potstickers, whole Korean-fried wings, and more. Make your reservation now!
Weekly Giveaway
The Neighborhood Harvest
The Neighborhood Harvest delivers organic hydroponically grown lettuces, seasonal produce, meats, dairy, and deli items directly to your home, all totally contact-free.
The ordering process is super simple: You visit their website to choose the selection of items you would like to receive each week from their far-reaching menu. Then they deliver your chosen items straight to your door, either just once or on a weekly basis.
We’re giving away a $100 credit to The Neighborhood Harvest to one lucky RVAx member!
To enter to win: Tell me your favorite veggie combo. I’m a big fan of spinach and mushrooms together — on pizza, in omelettes, in soups, in quesadillas, or pretty much anywhere else.
Last week: Congratulations to Jessica L. for winning a $50 gift card to Reservoir Distillery and a copy of GIVE ME LIBERTY AND GIVE ME A DRINK by local author Jarrett Dieterle!
Member Perks
Grit Coffee
Richmond’s newest coffee shop, Grit Coffee, just opened at 409 Libbie Avenue.
The folks at Grit Coffee take a culinary approach to roasting, focusing first on sourcing a quality ingredient and then drawing out the inherent characteristics of each coffee. You can taste the difference in their beans, sold by the bag (and via coffee subscriptions; more info here) as well as in barista-made drinks you can order from each of their cafes in Charlottesville and now, Richmond.
To celebrate the launch of their first Richmond location, Grit Coffee is offering a FREE coffee or espresso drink to the first 100 members of The Richmond Experience to visit their new shop!
After those first 100 RVAx members have redeemed their free coffee or espresso drink, they (and the rest of the RVAx members who visit Grit Coffee) will receive 20% off all orders through the end of October 2020.
Use code rvaexperience2020 when ordering online to take advantage of this member perk, or simply mention The Richmond Experience when ordering in person!
new + trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey new members!
We'd like to welcome 22 new members this week: Erin H., Caroline B., Brittany K., Graham C., Katie G., Aretha N., Kira J., Tanya M., Megan S., Gen M., Winslow G., Caitlin S., Christina G., Alyssa M., Rebecca L., Jane L., Laura H., Catherine C., Sophia D., Olivia D., Virginia M., and Oba M., 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 123 of the Weekly Insider.
Stay well friends,
Alicia @ The Richmond Experience
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