Ed 209: Japanese Restaurant, Cereal Bar, Food Hall in SA
Happy LGBTQIA+ Pride Month! 🏳️🌈
We’re celebrating Richmond’s LGBTQIA+ community all month long (and beyond, TBH), and we’ve got some ideas for how you can, too. From happy hours and other events to businesses to support to places you can donate and peeps you should follow, this guide has you covered.
By the way, we’re also feeling super celebratory and psyched about your input from our last Insider edition’s Member Survey; THANK YOU for that! We reviewed your answers, started some brainstorming for the future, and, of course, felt some warm-and-fuzzies for all the nice things you said, too. Basically: We picked up what you’re puttin’ down, RVAx mems, and we’re excited to take that feedback and get to sprucin’ a few things up around here. Stay tuned for those changes in the coming months.
And hey, in the meantime, if you’re reading this edition straight from the RVAx website but want it to get delivered straight to your inbox, too, make sure you’re signed up for that here.
NOW, how about we get a move on to some exciting things happening in and around the city this week? Need a coffee refill first? A bathroom break? We’ll wait.
… Okay, really NOW:
WEATHER
Wednesday: Partly cloudy; high of 94°, low of 69°
Thursday: Afternoon thunderstorms; high of 94°, low of 65°
Friday: Partly cloudy; high of 82°, low of 60°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 1 - 2 pm: Pride Flag Raising at Richmond City Hall
Thursday, 6:30 - 7:30 pm: Yoga in the Park
Friday, 6 - 9:30 pm: Friday Cheers — Bombino with Pachyman
CITY GUIDES
1. PRIDE MONTH EVENTS HAPPENING IN RVA THIS JUNE (& MORE WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY!)
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
K’Von Wallace: He’s “the former Highland Springs football standout” who currently plays for the Philadelphia Eagles, and now he’s bringing his talents back to RVA. On the morning of Saturday, June 11, K’Von will hold a free football camp at HSHS to support local kids. The camp is filled, but there is a waiting list (and you can email info@christiephilanthropy.com to secure a spot).
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including where to see some BIG bugs, shopping suggestions for brides-to-be, how to score a custom-designed house for your doggo, and more.
THE LATEST:
FOODIE, BUGGY & BARKY NEWS
Music for a Sushi Restaurant [opening]: New Japanese restaurant Nami recently opened in Monroe Ward, offering sushi and hibachi menu items for lunch and dinner. And later this month, longtime food truck Grilled Meats and Treats has plans to open a brick-and-mortar location just down the street. IE: You’ll find us eating downtown for every meal for the foreseeable future. (Richmond BizSense)
Big Bug Energy: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden has debuted David Rogers’ Big Bugs: The Pollinators. The insect installation will live in the Garden through the end of August and allows visitors to “explore the wonder and craftsmanship of these ten oversized pollinator sculptures created from combinations of found or fallen whole trees, willow limbs, twigs, branches, and other forest material. Discover giant ladybugs on a branch, a 17-foot-long daddy longlegs, a giant dragonfly, a beautiful hummingbird, and more!” (Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden)
For that cereal bar craving: The owner of One Way Market in Jackson Ward has plans to open a cereal bar across the street later this summer. One Way Ice Cream and Goodies will offer folks a spot to combine ice cream – in soft serve, milkshake, or in-a-bowl form – and a variety of cereal options – Apple Jacks, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and 23 others. And if that’s not a sweet enough deal for you, there will also be candy(ish) toppings available, too. How’s that for a balanced breakfast? (Richmond magazine)
Attn, brides-to-be: Pop of Confetti is hosting its Fresh Squeezed event this Friday, June 3. Ticket proceeds benefit Girls for a Change and Celebrate! RVA, and guests will be the first to see the spot’s new Pop Bride collection. Enjoy some shopping and tunes from DJ Anthony Bryant, gourmet goodies from JC Desserts, Cirrus Vodka drinks, NudeFX giveaways and samples, and Moonhanded tarot card readings. (Eventbrite)
Barkitecture and Kitty Couture: Catch the American Society of Interior Designers: Virginia Chapter’s Barkitecture + Kitty Couture event at Main Line Brewery this Sunday, June 5. The annual design competition will feature 13 custom-designed dog houses, kitty condos, and other abodes made for guinea pigs, rabbits, roosters, and more furry friends. Attendees (who can bring their pets, BTW) can bid on the various dwellings – benefiting Richmond Animal Care and Control – and enjoy a pet photo booth, face-painting, games, craft beers, and hard seltzers. (Richmond magazine)
Hall of fare: EAT Restaurant Partners – the minds behind RVA favorites like Pizza and Beer of Richmond, Fat Dragon, Boulevard Burger and Brew, and Hot Chick – are bringing another food hall to the city. Scott’s Addition will be home to the 17,000-square-foot spot, which will host both food and non-food stalls, from some in-house concepts to artisans who could benefit from the anticipated foot traffic. (Richmond BizSense)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🍗Buttermilk and Honey is taking over Pop’s Market on Grace. (Instagram)
🐕Ruff Canine Club announced its summer hours. (Instagram)
🎶 The sixth annual The ‘80s Was the Greatest concert is this Saturday, June 4, on Brown’s Island. (Happening Next)
Weekly Giveaway
Kathleen Reid
It’s peak get-your-beach-reads-ready season, and we’ve got one to add to your TBR pile. Richmonder Kathleen Reid is an award-winning author who has published three works of fiction: Paris Match, A Page Out of Life, and Sunrise in Florence – the most recent of which earned five indie awards in the Romance and Romantic Suspense genres. And later this month, the local author is releasing another novel for all you fiction lovers: Secrets in the Palazzo. Think, “The Da Vinci Code with cozier chats and artisanal tea blends.”
This week, we’re teaming up with Kathleen to celebrate her upcoming book launch and giving away THREE copies of Secrets in the Palazzo.
To enter to win: Tell us a book cover you love! (In this case, they can be judged.)
Last week: Congratulations to last week’s winner, Christian S., for winning our Island Shrimp Co. giveaway!
Member Perks
Indoor Golf RVA
We’re all for some outdoorsy activities now that we’re moving into summer, but sometimes it’s just too hot out there. When that’s the case, think Indoor Golf RVA. The 24/7 golf club in Scott’s Addition features industry-leading simulators, so newcomers and seasoned golfers alike can play, practice, and improve their golf game (in a relaxing ~and cool~ environment).
Members of The Richmond Experience get 15% off any Indoor Golf RVA membership plans. Just mention you’re a member when you check out!
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We'd like to welcome 44 new members this week: Katherine S., Allison H., Kierra Y., Sarah B., Justin W., Kevin L., Carly S., Patrick F., Alyssa H., Brian B., Kimberly N., Andrew W., Victoria B., Lauren W., Krystelle D., Aneesa P., Madison P., Leah B., Andrea B., Laura B., Rashida S., Lee J., Rachel B., Eddy S., Salina M., Rafaella S., Emily C., Madison A., Reese A., Jennifer T., Jessica S., Alice I., Leigh H., Eline W., Jessica C., Jessica M., Kaitlyn L., Emily S., Emily S., Emily P., Danielle R., Jasmine G., Ramsey C., and Katie H., 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 209 of The Weekly Insider.
Have a great week!
- The Richmond Experience
OUR LOCAL PARTNERS
