Ed 156: Nearby Day Trips, Axe Throwing Bar, Soft Serve Season
Hey there! Alicia here 👋
Since last Wednesday’s edition of The Weekly Insider, we got some big news from Governor Northam about coronavirus restrictions in Virginia — in particular, the commonwealth's universal indoor mask mandate has been lifted in alignment with guidance from the CDC.
Take a peek at our free city guide, NAVIGATING COVID-19 IN RICHMOND, for full details and to stay on top of all things pandemic-related as we hopefully work our way back toward a safe and healthy “new normal” together.
Now, moving on to the more fun news!
We’ve got lots of exciting info to share this week in terms of RVA openings, happenings, and more, including…
An axe-throwing bar (yes, “bar” meaning there’s also beer and wine) celebrating its soft opening TODAY and its grand opening this Saturday
A brand new soft serve-only ice cream shop now open in Forest Hill from an already-beloved local dessert biz
The South American restaurant in the works to open on Grove this summer serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with both a coffee and liquor bar with draft cocktails
An online market happening this Saturday featuring 100+ items from more than 30 Richmond growers and creators AND offering free delivery (plus a coupon for $2 off for RVAx members!)
…and more. Let’s get to it!
THE LATEST:
SOCIAL NEWS
We all scream for (soft serve) ice cream. Charm School’s new spot in Forest Hill — situated right by the new Blanchard’s Coffee and The Veil Brewing Co. locations — has officially opened!
It’s called Charm School Study Hall and will be a soft serve-only shop, operating out of a walk-up window facing Jahnke Rd and currently open on weekends. You can always expect 2 dairy flavors and 2 vegan flavors to be available, with a wide selection of toppings.
Charm School also announced that they just started ice cream production to re-open their original Broad St. location, so keep an eye on their Instagram for an official date soon!
All Richmond everything — delivered for free. Don't miss this Saturday's online market from Common Eats, with a 100% focus on Richmond-only vendors, featuring 100+ items (like fresh produce, seafood, charcuterie boxes, beef jerkey, fresh mozzarella, cakes, ice cream sandwiches, and more) from 30+ RVA growers and makers.
It’s basically like supporting your favorite farmers market vendors and getting the food you need for the week, without having to put on pants and leave your house.
Take advantage of free delivery within a 10-mile radius of downtown (or free pick-up if you prefer), and you can use code 2OFFRVAXCOMMONEATS52221 for $2 off your order!
Do you know how to say “crocodile” in Spanish? The answer is “Cocodrilo,” which is also the name of the new South American restaurant coming to Grove Ave this summer! Richmond BizSense reported that a team of local restaurant industry badasses (Brandon MacConnell, former chef at Shagbark; Shleinkofer, former bar director at Lemaire; Rob Long, owner at River City Roll; and Brad Slemaker, executive chef at River City Roll) are getting ready to open this new concept in the space formerly occupied by Caturra on Grove in West End.
Expect South American-inspired breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus with chef-driven items like lobster enchiladas, breakfast tacos, and chipotle steak frites — not to mention both a coffee and a liquor bar with draft cocktails, frozen margs, and a wide selection of tequila and mezcal. They’re hoping to open by August; stay tuned!
Let’s throw some sharp objects. A new axe-throwing bar called Stumpy’s Hatchet House is celebrating a soft opening TODAY (Wednesday, May 19) and a grand opening this Saturday, May 22!
Located in Stony Point Fashion Park along with other interactive experiences like AR Workshop, Gnome & Raven, and more, Stumpy’s Hatchet House will boast 10 axe-throwing pits available in 1- and 2-hour increments, retro arcade games, a kitchen with food service, beer and wine, and more. I’m only slightly afraid that I’d accidentally maim someone if I attempted this activity, but I’m sure a pint or two will help assuage that fear, right?
Openings and re-openings and relocations, oh my! All kinds of Richmond staples are in the process of moving, adding new locations, or otherwise readjusting what they’ve been up to during the panny-times, including:
Secco Wine Bar - Officially reopen and rebranded as “Secco 4.0,” Secco is ready to welcome Richmond back to their patio and their indoor dining room by reservation (make yours here) for all their classics like cheese boards, fried olives, and more, plus a whole new spring tasting menu
Pizza & Beer of Richmond - PBR’s new Hanover location is officially open with 24 draft lines, a killer cocktail list, and all the pizzas you known and love from their OG location in The Fan made with a Marra Forni artisanal brick pizza oven
Africanne on Main - This West African restaurant from Chef Ida MaMasu will move from its current corner downtown to the former Pit & Peel space in the heart of VCU's campus with extended hours and an expanded menu, Richmond Magazine reported
Local farmers markets putting the “all” in “y’all.” Shopping from small Richmond businesses should always be an inclusive experience, but these markets are putting a specific emphasis on making both shoppers and vendors feel safe and welcome.
RVA Black Farmers Market - Sundays from 8 am - 12 pm at 17th Street Market
Safe Space Market - Fridays from 5 - 8 pm at the Lakeside Farmers Market
HAPPENINGS
Your Thursday and Friday plans just got an upgrade. The highly anticipated Fan Arts Stroll returns this week on Hanover and Grove Avenues! This community-driven event will feature live music from a dozen different local artists, performances by Jonathan the Juggler, and some incredible arts and crafts for sale from talented Richmond makers — think stained glass, crocheted goods, ceramics, aerial photography, and more.
Dinner options will be available from Fifty-One Pizza, Dave’s AL-A Cart, and Curbside Cafe, or you can snag something sweet from The Neighborhood Scoop, The Sweet Stop, or King of Pops.
It’s all happening Thursday, May 20 & Friday, May 21 from 4 - 8 pm on Hanover and Grove Avenues, specifically the 2000 - 2500 blocks. Hope to see you there!
Weekly Giveaway
Rest In Pieces
In case you missed our Instagram Reels about it, Rest In Pieces is Richmond’s one-stop-shop for curiosities and oddities galore established in 2014 by Alaina Gearhart and Justin Torone, a couple aspiring to fill a niche market in RVA. What started as a personal collection and “morbid aesthetic” evolved and expanded to where Rest In Pieces is today, known as Virginia’s premier oddity shop.
The inventory of meticulously hand-selected items is always evolving, but typically includes things like crystals, herb blends, skulls, bones, plants, medical antiques, books, jewelry, and more.
We’re giving away a Rest In Pieces self-care set featuring their custom “Unwind” grounding herbal tea blend (ft. nettle leaf, red clover blossom, elderberries, sage, and ginger root), their “Herbal Face Steam” (ft. a skin rejuvenating, deep pore cleansing blend of rose petals, calendula, comfrey, chamomile, and orange), plus two rad stickers.
To enter to win: Tell me how you practice self-care! For me, it’s a lot of drinking water and taking walks outside… and a lot of baths.
Last week: Congratulations to Gianna F. for winning a 64 oz. cold caffeinated beverage from Blanchard’s Coffee!
Member Perks
RVA BBQ Tours
What’s the best way to learn about Richmond’s barbecue scene? By eating your way through it with RVA BBQ Tours, that’s how!
Grab some of your hungriest pals and follow experienced tour guides around Richmond as you sample our city’s killer BBQ options, 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 2-3 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.
Members can use code RVAX10 for 10% off all RVA BBQ Tours. Visit rvabbqtours.com to book yours now!
new + trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We'd like to welcome 30 new members this week: Rachel R., Natalie T., Erin P., Susan E., Nick M., Anna M., Bridget B., Jacqueline C., Erin P., Hank R., Erin H., Nicholas K., Elizabeth G., Dani W., Ann Michele S., Sharif G., Abigal H., Meghan W., Emily B., Jordan W., Payton S., Boots W., Taryn W., Andrew H., Kate A., Thomas T., Josh S., Parth P., and Tanner 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 156 of The Weekly Insider.
Later, skaters!
- Alicia @ The Richmond Experience
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