Ed 250: PERMANENT BRACELETS, EARTH DAY, BROWN SUGAR SCRUB
Powered by Sweetest Switch — this Beach Club Maxi Dress is calling your name for all those upcoming springtime soirées.
Hey there!
WELL, it’s been a hellish start to the week. We’re gutted/infuriated/sickened by the news out of Nashville, and I, for one, feel like walking out to the backyard and letting out a rage-y scream (à la Jennifer Love Hewitt in I Know What You Did Last Summer — IYKYK) wouldn’t even feel good at this rate. And it’s my go-to move when everything is all so UGH!
As always, we like to keep things light and happy here at The Richmond Experience, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do today. Here are a few things that have made me feel like I can breathe again (if just for a little), including a write-up from Cup of Jo that also tells us how we can help (my other go-to move):
6 Ways to Help After the School Shooting in Nashville (Including, Not Giving Up)
Alison Roman released her latest cookbook, Sweet Enough, and it includes this Perfect, Crispy Pancakes recipe, which I made last week… and will probably make again this week.
This month’s book club pick feels like a hug. There’s whimsy, there’s history, there’s mystique. Finish it up and meet us to chat this Thurs!
Oh! And speaking of feel-good stuff, we took a li’l break from our monthly series Things We’re *WAY* Loving This Month, but we’re back in the saddle with a few more recs below.
Keep scrolling for that and RVA’s latest social news, including a puppet show, a new coffee spot in Scott’s Addition, a dinner roll rec, and more.
THINGS WE’RE *WAY* LOVING THIS MONTH
Paige:
Grüner from Jardin: With spring finally here and the mild winter in RVA, I have been gravitating toward white wine (seasonal drinker here!), specifically Grüner Veltliner. The Hoellerer Grüner from Jardin is fantastic and pairs perfectly with springtime!
Permanent bracelets from SPARK Studio: I recently got a permanent bracelet with my bestie, and I am *obsessed*. Now I have a bit of glam everywhere I go!
Kelsey:
Local photog Aly Hansen: @richmondphotographer popped up on my Explore page, and I love her style so much! And her bio: “you’ve probably been photographed before. this will be different.”
Frontier by Alamo: Alamo BBQ's sister restaurant, which lives about two blocks down the road, features a menu of barbecue, jalapeño mac, and general deliciousness, and it was the chips, salsa, and queso that really hit the spot for me when I ordered over the weekend.
WEATHER
Wednesday: Mostly sunny; high of 63°, low of 39°
Thursday: Mostly sunny; high of 60°, low of 39°
Friday: Mostly cloudy; high of 71°, low of 61°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 9 am - 1 pm: RICHMOND COMMUNITY TOOLBANK GENERAL WAREHOUSE AND TOOL MAINTENANCE
Thursday, 6 - 9 pm: MARCH SUPPER CLUB: KISMET
Friday, 6 - 10 pm: BUBBA’S BLOCK PARTY
CITY GUIDES
1. RICHMOND’S BEST LUNCH SPOTS, BY NEIGHBORHOOD
Image: Andrew Knight
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Andrew Knight: You might have seen him in our bylines over the last few months, making pickleball recs or filling you in on all there is to know about shad season. The brains behind RVA James River Fishing Report is an outdoor enthusiast, and when he’s not hopping along the banks of the James River, fishing for smallmouth bass and stripers, he’s usually taking a stroll around the VMFA and his fave Richmond neighborhood, Museum District! Andrew loves helping other people get excited about the outdoors, mostly on the fishing side of things but also exploring the James River Park System, whether on a bike or on a hike.
THE LATEST:
SOCIAL NEWS
Did you get a whiff of this Insta update?: One of our favorite health and beauty shops in Richmond – Maven Made – has decided to reduce its hours and open once a month. You can next shop in-store for all the best serums, scrubs, and fragrances on Saturday, April 15. But also mark your calendar for the following weekend, when Maven Made puts on its first pop-up since 2019; shop owner Bethany Frazier plans to lay out a spread on Saturday, April 22, at Vasen Brewing. She misses your face, so def stop by! (Instagram)
The Richmond coffee scene continues to expand: Charlottesville-based Grit Coffee Roasting Co shared plans to open another shop in RVA! The official opening date is still TBD, but they’re coming to Scott’s Addition ASAP. In the meantime, if you or someone you know is looking for a new gig, Grit is hiring. Drop a line to jobs@gritcoffee.com to fill out an app, and we’ll catch you there sometime soon with our iced coffees in hand. (Instagram)
Earth Day happens on April 22 this year, but: That doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate now (and always, TBH!). Top Stitch Mending is getting the party started early next weekend. Here’s the scoop they gave us: We will be hosting Eco Inspired, a local zero-waste refill shop, and Honey Honed Sharpening for on-site scissor/knife sharpening on Saturday, April 8, from 12 to4 pm. The pop-up will also include our usual on-site mending and drop-off options to round out the zero-waste services. If you haven’t made your way over to Top Stitch Mending, yet, the shop is nestled in Church Hill, and owner Lisa Hutchinson is a real gem! (Top Stitch Mending)
On the fringe: The Richmond Fringe Festival takes place from Saturday, April 15, through Monday, April 17, and features a spectacle of creative performances, from alternate-reality gaming adventures to public art and mural projects, in an effort to “cross-pollinate people” in RVA. We recently heard from Jim Julien, who is presenting his puppet show – The Squid and the Octopus – as part of the event. Here’s what he said: It is a very intimate cephalopod adventure, a shadow puppet show (with knives!). I premiered this piece at the 2022 Philadelphia Fringe Festival in September, and now I am bringing it to Richmond at Révéler on W Cary St. The production uses a variety of multimedia and audience interactions to tell the story of ocean life and friendship set against the chaos of restaurant back-of-house, cutting-edge culinary cuisine. (Jim Julien)
We’ll start with some bread: We mentioned in Ed 249 that Odyssey recently opened its doors, and Richmond magazine has filled readers in on a few more deets about the mouth-watering spot. Chef-owners Lee Gregory and Bobo Catoe Jr. (of Alewife!) are the brains behind the new concept, which features intimate seating, casual and “a smidge spunky” menu items, and cocktails on draft as well as a small selection of beer and wine. Read the mag’s descrip of the new restaurant’s dinner rolls and get yourself a resy immediately; Odyssey is currently open Thursday through Saturday, 5 to 9:30 pm. (Richmond magazine)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🏷Pop Up RVA returns this Saturday, April 1, and the Richmond Night Market kicks off its fifth season next Saturday, April 8. (Pop Up RVA, RVAHub)
🏆Richmond magazine’s Best & Worst Survey is open now through Monday, May 1. (Survey Monkey)
❤️️We love how The Mantu is celebrating Ramadan. (Instagram)
🐝The owner of Ms. Bee’s Juice Bar has plans for Saison’s old digs. (Richmond BizSense)
🚂Main Street Station was awarded American Public Works Association’s Public Works Projects of the Year Historical Restoration/Preservation for the Train Shed Rehabilitation. (Instagram)
Weekly Giveaway
The National: April Line-Up
While we can’t exactly get you tickets to The Eras Tour (yes, we’re still thinking about it, okay?), we can hook you up with some other hot shows closer to home.
This week, we're teaming up with The National again to give away two pairs of tickets to each of these April shows:
To enter, tell us: What local biz have you supported recently, AND which show do you want to see?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Louisa W., for winning our EFM giveaway!
Member Perks
The National & Virginia Credit Union LIVE!
Want the hook-up on even more tickets? You got it.
Members of The Richmond Experience get special access to free and discounted concert tickets at The National and Virginia Credit Union LIVE!
Tickets listed as “All In” offers are all-inclusive of any online service fees. Free ticket offers are subject to a small processing fee at checkout, which will cover up to four tickets. All offers end at 10 pm EST the day before the event date, so don’t wait!
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 14 new members this week: Felipe J., Thomas J., Li S., Parker H., Abby B., Amy S., Gareth W., Sandy D., Brian S., Zach P., Cara B., Kate B., Rucha B., and Lauren B., 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 250 of The Weekly Insider.
Later, skater!
- The Richmond Experience
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