Ed 135: Moon Market, Kick 2020’s Asphalt, Insta-Worthy Winter Destinations
Image Source: @thejonyee
Hey there! Alicia here 👋
Festive mode has been fully activated! Believe it or not, Christmas is next week, and surprisingly we’re feeling totally ready.
We got gifts for everyone on our list, we’ve checked off plenty of items on the Official RVAx Winter Bucket List, and we’ve been on so many Tacky Lights Tours that we’re starting to lose count.
Now, all that’s left is to finish up work for the week, then enjoy the holiday however it may look this year. For us, that means a virtual Christmas Eve party with our family over Zoom, and I’m going all out — we’ve got a dress code, we’re playing virtual bingo for prizes, and we’re having a family-wide dog costume contest.
It’s not our usual celebration, but we’re making the best of it! I hope you and yours are, too.
And on that note, just a heads up that we won’t be sending out the Weekly Insider again until December 30. So, we packed this edition with as much must-know social news and as many holiday happenings as possible to hold you over until then.
Cheers to safe and happy holiday season! Now, here’s what’s up this week.
THE LATEST:
Image: @chezfoushee
Image: @sportsbackers
Image: @thecommoneats
Image: @bizarremarket
SOCIAL NEWS
Time to kick 2020’s asphalt. Local organization Sports Backers is working with Capital One to help us send off this insane year with the So Long 2020 virtual 5K.
Register online for just $17 (which includes an “I Kicked 2020’s Asphalt” race day t-shirt!) and say “Sayanara, sucker!” to this year by logging 3.1 miles between now and December 31. You’ll also receive a printable race bib and a virtual event badge for your participation — and they’ve got additional “I Kicked 2020’s Asphalt” merchandise available for purchase including a coffee cup, pint glass, and hoodie.
All purchases associated with this race will support 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, support running clubs at area schools, and develop fun, new participatory events for the Richmond community! You can register online now.
A new way to drive-thru. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 22 from 12 - 7 pm, when the folks behind new business concept Common Eats will be hosting their first pop-up! They’re sourcing local food from Richmond chefs and bakers, then selling those meals using a drive thru model — no need to pre-order, or even to get out of the car. Plus, 10% of all proceeds will be donated to the Autism Society of Central VA.
Common Eats teamed up with eight incredible food vendors to give folks a chance to stock up for holiday meals, pick up a tasty gift, or even find something for the pups in their life. You can find the full menu online for next Tuesday’s drive-thru pop-up, including items from Pearl’s Bake Shoppe, Chef Headen at Elegant Cuizines, Nightingale Ice Cream, and more.
Another pandemic pivot. Jack Jacobs at Richmond BizSense reported that downtown restaurant Chez Foushee has ceased dine-in service for the time being and will instead be focusing on a new model: three-course meals delivered straight to your door by Chez Foushee staff. They’re calling it Chez At Home. You can check out the menu offerings in their online store, which includes dinner boxes as described above (with main courses like beef medallions, grilled salmon, duck confit, and more) along with a la carte desserts, soups, pantry items, and drinks. Bon Appétit!
The family supermarket filling in a food desert. Tamica Jean-Charles at the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that mother-daughter duo Renée Thompson Truehart and Tyra Gallagher plan to open Darrell’s Family Supermarket in the Chamberlayne/Fairfield area (technically Henrico) within the next month. The space that will be occupied by this new market lies on the outskirts of a food desert, where many local residents have limited means to purchase nutritious and affordable food (in fact, the closest supermarket at the moment is two miles west).
Mother Truehart and daughter Gallagher strive to offer fresh produce and healthy foods at an accessible price pont while providing the best customer service possible, hoping to emulate the warm and welcoming attitude of the staff at places like Chick-fil-A or Carlie C’s. We look forward to seeing their doors open soon!
Community, creation, and collaboration. RVA Magazine’s David Tran reported that The Collab Spot, a coworking space run by and dedicated to queer Black individuals, is expected to open its doors in Northside in 2021. This social justice-focused community hub aims to provide a safe space where Richmond’s Queer/Trans People of Color (QTPOC) and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) can gather both for coworking as well as social justice-focused programming, community resourcing needs, social events, and more.
The Collab Spot recently launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise money for the venue’s base rent as well as overhead for the building, space renovation, customizing for accessibility, and technology for community use. You can visit Indiegogo to learn more about the organization's needs as well as the impact of a Black-centered space in Richmond.
Starting to feel stir-crazy? Check out this list of 16 Instagram-worthy winter destinations for a cozy Virginia vacation, including ideas for road trips to frozen waterfalls, festive downtowns and Main Streets, cavern systems, scenic drives, coastal cities, state parks, historic sites, relaxing resorts, family-friendly fun, romantic getaways, and more. If you’re a fan of winter sports, this guide to four Virginia ski resorts ought to get your heart racing, too.
HAPPENINGS
This weekend is your last chance to pick up gifts for everyone on your list! Swing by one of these holiday markets to find something local they’ll love:
Bizarre Market — Friday, Saturday & Sunday — A multi-format handcraft market featuring the work of local makers, artists, designers, elves and sorceresses. Make your purchase online or book a private shopping appointment in Carytown.
Richmond Moon Market — Saturday & Sunday — This curated craft show brings together central Virginia's weirdest, wildest, and most wonderful artists, healers, and crafters in one place: at Triple Crossing Fulton.
Someday Holiday Market — Sunday — Find goods from Homme Essentials, Little Nomad, Mother Daughter Jewelry, Someday, and The Wild Heart Shop at this pop-up market at Brenner Pass in Scott’s Addition.
Looking for more ? Check out our city guide GET YOUR GIFTS AT THESE RVA HOLIDAY MARKETS for a complete list.
Weekly Giveaway
RVA BBQ Tours
Foodies, we’ve got a new way for you to explore Richmond: Join RVA BBQ Tours for the city’s newest culinary caravan!
During this COVID-friendly food tour, you’ll drive your own vehicle, following experienced tour guides around Richmond as you sample our city’s killer BBQ scene, all while listening to podcast interviews with Pitmasters you are about to visit.
Tickets for this uniquely tasty experience are $59 per adult, $25 for kids 11 - 17, and free for children under 10.
On each mouthwatering tour, you can expect 2+ hours of entertainment, education, and delicious food (aka, a generous portion of BBQ at three of Richmond’s hidden gem BBQ joints, plus a special dessert). You’ll go home feeling full, for sure.
We’re giving away four adult tickets to this scrumptious adventure to one lucky RVAx member!
To enter to win: Tell me whether you prefer reading the Weekly Insider or listening to it! We’ve been testing out the recordings each week and we’re hoping to learn whether y’all are enjoying it. Any feedback is welcome and appreciated!
Last week: Congratulations to Elizabeth B. for winning last week’s Sunday Table Co. giveaway!
Member Perks
Bryant’s Cider
If you’re one of those people who thinks of hard cider as a sweet, sugar-y beverage, Bryant’s Cider is sure to change your mind! Their delightfully dry cider boasts 0 grams of added sugar and just 2.5 carbs, for more reminiscent of a brut champagne than those sticky-sweet ciders you used to throw back in college.
And get this: The apples that Bryant’s uses in their ciders are grown at their family farm in Roseland, Virginia. Talk about drinking local!
Right now as part of their “Bring Your Bubble to Bryant’s” campaign, you and your quaran-team of up to 15 people can book their entire Shockoe tasting room all to yourselves for $150 Monday through Friday or $300 on Saturdays and Sundays.
Additionally, Bryant’s Cider Club Memberships are now available for purchase for the 2021 season! This quarterly service allows Richmonders to get cider delivered right to their door in a package that includes three mainstay 4-packs, two 500 mL bottles, and one seasonal 4-pack per quarter.
Feeling thirsty? RVAx members can use code “Bryant’sExperience” to receive 10% off all to-go purchases!
new + trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey new members!
We'd like to welcome 53 new members this week: Laura P., Jasmine M., Lauren W., Lindsay B., Savannah R., Megan H., Ashley F., Rachel Q., Emily B., Haley Z., Sam C., Alexis W., Autumn P., Hannah G., Rachel B., Courtney C., Elizabeth A., Jacqueline H., Melanie M., Devin J., Courtney H., Erin T., Leigh L, Assata S., Grace H., Deontre F., Oliver G., Debra M., Barbara R., Shannon M., Bryn G., Gabby S., Lauren E., Heather K., Courtney W., Haley L., Devanshi P., Laura O., Ellen D., Leanny S., Abbey K., Joseph D., Alexa L., LeighAnna C., Scott W., Alexandra A., Kelsey A., Cathy S., Rachel R., Amber F., Lindley G., Ivy P., and Michelle D., 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 135 of the Weekly Insider.
Stay well friends,
Alicia @ The Richmond Experience
Thank you to Poor Boys of Richmond for powering this edition of the Weekly Insider from The Richmond Experience!
OUR LOCAL PARTNERS
