Ed 199: A New Food Hall, A Brewery Block Party, An RVA Baker on Food Network
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Hello and happy SPRING! 👋
We made it, everyone. It’s officially that beautiful, breezy, blossom-y (brief? 🤫) time of year between “WHY is it so cold?!” and “WHY is it so hot?!” The James is training for Float Season, dogs are going for walks on walks, and if you listen closely, you can probably hear Summer Girl - Amber Mark Remix playing on a loop in the distance. (But, lol, that’s just me, Kelsey, already securing its spot on my 2022 Spotify Wrapped.)
That said, we’ve got a lot to cover, so we'll make it quick with just these two notes up top:
Today, March 23, marks the grand opening of Hatch Local, Richmond’s highly-anticipated food hall, coffee bar, full-service bar, curated market, event space, and outdoor dining space. We got a sneak peek, and here's a quick bite of everything we know about it.
Our March members-only book club meeting is tonight. Here are the deets, but if you can't make it, stay tuned for the what, where, and when (IE, the book, location, and date/time) of our next meeting.
Now, you know when you get back from running errands and you've got a big haul to bring in from the car? This is like that. Hold the door; we're comin' through.
WEATHER
Wednesday: Rainy with a chance of thunderstorms; high of 69°, low of 64°
Thursday: Rainy; high of 72°, low of 49°
Friday: Partly cloudy; high of 64°, low of 44°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 8 pm: March RVAx Book Club Meeting
Thursday, 6 - 8 pm: Pub Trivia with Jeopardy! Champ Austin Rogers!
Friday, 9 - 11 pm: Trivia Night at Pho Luca’s in Carytown
CITY GUIDES
1. EVERYTHING WE KNOW ABOUT HATCH LOCAL, THE FIRST FOOD HALL IN RICHMOND
2. 8 OF THE BEST LOCAL BREWERY EATS
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Myles Brown: He’s an RVA native; an incredible filmmaker, musician, and drone pilot; the owner of MYLO Video Productions; and the artist behind Journey — a visual album that recently *played at the Byrd Theatre.* The production demonstrates the healing powers of art as it relates to mental health awareness and spreading empathy, and it showcases over 40 unique locations in Richmond, VA. If you weren’t able to make it over to Carytown and feast your eyes, your next chance for a showing is on Thursday, May 12, at St. Christopher’s School. Clear your calendar.
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including how to support local oyster conservation, a 75,000-square-foot consignment showroom, candle-making for VCU Massey Cancer Center, and more.
THE LATEST:
BEER & THINGS THAT GO WELL WITH IT
We can't keep this to ourselves: Secret Squares is teaming up with Early Bird Biscuit Co. to offer its pandemic-famous pizza pies for pick-up at the bakery's Northside location. "Since bakeries require early morning to daytime hours and [Secret Squares Owner Willoughby] Obenchain’s pizza-making is an evening affair, the two businesses pair perfectly." Word on the street is the delish duo will officially kick things off in the next few weeks, so keep up with Secret Squares on Instagram for all the knead-to-know news. (Style Weekly)
They had us at ceviches: Big Kitchen Hospitality (who blessed us with Tazza Kitchen) is bringing a new Mexican spot to Westhampton. “Conejo features house-milled heirloom corn and flour tortillas, ceviches, classic antojitos, and tacos,” plus “a curated list of mezcals and tequilas, craft cocktails, and, of course, signature margaritas.” And by the by, those flour tortillas? Made with Sonoran wheat, freshly milled by Sub Rosa Bakery. Relationships everywhere have been saved — the age-old “Where should we eat?” question has never been easier to answer. (Richmond magazine)
Thirsty for this taproom opening: Church Hill residents are excitedly awaiting the grand opening of the neighborhood’s first brewery, Trapezium Brewing Co. While construction is still underway at the spot’s new home in the former Richmond Association of Masonic Lodges building, Trapezium is throwing a block party in its “front yard” this Saturday, March 26, at the intersection of N 25th St and E Leigh St. Expect beer, food trucks, music — and to see us, tbh. (Instagram)
See you on the oyster side: Through December, Alewife is hosting a series of dinners, featuring guest chefs and benefiting local oyster conservation. “Each four-course event will have 50 tickets (at $75 each) available for seatings between 5:30 and 8 pm.” Dinner will begin with a round of the salty-and-scrumptious mollusks (along with other snack-y items), then move into two guest-chef courses and two Alewife courses. (Richmond magazine)
WAYS TO HAVE FUN & GIVE BACK
Baked goods, bubbles, and blossoms: Justin Ross — Richmond native and competitor on Food Network's Spring Baking Championship: Season 8 — is bringing his chef skills to Pop of Confetti's Bubbles + Blossoms event this Friday, March 25. JC Desserts, the baker's own online dessert boutique, will be making sweets and selling boxes of his artisan chocolates to help the colorful Carytown shop welcome spring. The event will feature a pop-up bouquet bar, cider samples, live painting, salon stylings, and special giveaways and deals, too. Pop of Confetti also plans to spill more deets on its new donation program launch to support Girls for Change and Celebrate RVA. (Instagram)
Sustainably spruce up your space: If you're feeling the urge to scratch that "spring refresh" itch, Curtain Call has the things — plural — for you. The org’s annual home decor consignment sale has set up shops — again, plural — in the former JCPenney store at Regency Mall. We're talking 75,000 square feet, 500 consignors, and 20,000+ items, including (but def not limited to) furniture, crystal glassware, china, paintings, window treatments, designer handbags, and furs. (Richmond magazine)
Candle-making for a cause: Massey Alliance is co-hosting Candle Workshop for a Cause with Lepa Candle Co on Sunday, March 27. Through its philanthropic and outreach efforts, Massey Alliance elevates research, resources, and programs provided by the VCU Massey Cancer Center. Tickets to the event include complimentary champagne, and a portion of the proceeds will go directly to the center. (Facebook)
Take your money and run: The Hill Topper 5K is back in person this year, taking participants through Church Hill and ending at the Church Hill Irish Festival. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Robinson Theater Community Arts Center and local community projects supported by The Rotary Club of Church Hill. Don't forget to snag your race packet beforehand. (RunSignup)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🏳️🌈Luminary Hair Co. is hosting a raffle to support Equality Virginia. (Instagram)
👩🎨The Someday Shop has been highlighting local women makers in March, and RVAx favorite Molly Reeder is this Saturday’s pick. Stop by the store and shop her *stunning* watercolor artwork. (Instagram)
🧑🍳Christopher’s RunAway Gourmay returns to its warm-weather parking space next week. Important note: RVAx Leader and Chicken Salad Unenthusiast Sam Kanipe highly recommends this spot’s Tarragon Chicken Salad — even she cannot resist it. (Richmond magazine)
❤️️ HeART & Soul Fest comes to town this summer. Save the date. (Richmond Black Restaurant Experience)
Weekly Giveaway
Scoop
Yes, March Madness is very exciting. But Scoop March Madness is very exciting and delicious. Earlier this month, the beloved small batch ice cream shop in the Fan collected suggestions for two new flavors and selected the best of the best to include in its 2022 New Flavor Tournament. Voting runs through the end of March, but we want you to get a literal taste of the action, too.
This week, we’re giving away a $15 gift card to Scoop.
To enter to win, give us a scoop in the Comments section at the bottom of this edition: Tell us the craziest fashion trend you ever rocked!
Last week: Congratulations to last week’s winner, Allison G., for winning our Mongrel giveaway!
Member Perks
Pupatella
We’re headed into a happenings-heavy time of year, so when you start to get that “booked and busy” feeling, give yourself a night off from dinner prep and order a pizza.
Members of The Richmond Experience get 10% off your orders at Pupatella — all day, every day. Just tell them you’re a member when you check out.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We'd like to welcome 26 new members this week: Nitisha K., Sara P., Kate M., Maria G., Connor S., Victoria D., Beth R., Kate C., Erin J., Shannon W., Katie S., Tanner B., Mallory W., Henry F., Angie Z., Rachel R., Jenna J., Gillian B., Taylor S., Kami F., Jami B., Erin M., Alex T., Donna B., Anna B., and Taylor P., 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 199 of The Weekly Insider.
Have a great week!
- The Richmond Experience
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