Ed 284: Absurd Snacks, Mobile Cocktail Lounge, Church Hill Pizza
Hi again!
How are you? Well-fed? Cozied? Ready for the weeks ahead, up to and including catching Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé in theaters at your earliest convenience? Good; us too!
I had a wonderrrful Thanksgiving, but my household is down for the count with one cold symptom or another, so this week’s been a li’l *less* wonderful. Still, it’s officially the holiday szn, and Richmond is at it all again, so lemme get another cough drop and get you all that local news you need to know ASAP. (Like Movieland at Boulevard Square is playing Renaissance at 7 pm this Thursday, for example.)
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including a must-visit grocery store, where to get your Choosy Mother Peanut Butter Porter fix, how to foster a pet for the holidays, and more.
WEATHER
Wednesday: Sunny; high of 45°, low of 27°
Thursday: Partly cloudy; high of 56°, low of 34°
Friday: Showers in the aft; high of 54°, low of 45°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 7 - 9 pm: HIP-HOP NUTCRACKER
Thursday, 5:30 - 6:30 pm: FIRST ANNUAL TREDEGAR TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
Friday, 4 - 7 pm: RVA ILLUMINATES
CITY GUIDES
1. YOUR 2023 HOLIDAY MARKET ROUNDUP
Image Source: @men_to_heal
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
James Harris: He’s the founder of Men to Heal, an “initiative [that] encourages men to pay more attention to their overall wellness; emotional, mental, and physical health; to communicate effectively; and increase their knowledge of self.” James is a licensed mental health professional with a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, a Tedx Talk speaker, and much more. Check out more about his movement here, which works to bring awareness and end the stigma around mental health in our community.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: @blackcoralrva
Image Source: @secretsquares
Image Source: @ralpics
Image Source: @stellasgrocery
SOCIAL NEWS
In case the tryptophan had you in a chokehold: While we were away, enjoying seconds and thirds of green bean casserole (we just love it, okay?!), Richmond was still busy af, churning out must-know updates. Let’s play some catch-up, shall we?:
Head downstairs: The Basement — a newly opened nonprofit performance venue, art gallery, bar, and lounge (to rent out, holiday party planners!) in the Arts District — started offering happy hour, along with its other draws (plays, live music, art openings, drawing and acting classes, burlesque shows, and more). (Style Weekly, Instagram)
Give the Party Planning Committee a heads-up: GWARbar-tender Jonah Livingston intro’d his mobile cocktail lounge concept, Aces High Bar Services, which lends itself to indoor and outdoor settings and offers spirits, beer, wine, and NA drinks. (Richmond BizSense)
End game: Scott’s Addition’s Circuit — unfortunately and suddenly — closed its doors. (Richmond BizSense)
Peanut butter [porter] time: But in happier news about another recent Scott’s Addition closing, Isley Brewing Co. sold the rights to its fan-favorite brew Choosy Mother Peanut Butter Porter, which will now be in the capable hands of a small beermaker from the Northern Neck, Callao Brewing Co., which has been up and running since 2020. (Richmond BizSense)
For your shopping list: Stella’s Grocery opened its seventh (!!) location. (Instagram)
How to stay cozy this winter: Left and right, local pubs are predicting lots of snow in our future (snowier than the last four winters, reports Richmond Times-Dispatch), and you and yours aren’t the only ones who will need a warm space to curl up for the season. Richmond Animal League begins Operation Silent Night this Friday, December 1. Adoption fees will be lowered to $10 and adoption hours will be extended, in hopes that every furry friend finds a home for the holidays and beyond. The event ends on Wednesday, December 20, but if you’re not quite in the position to adopt, RAL will also need help temporarily fostering for the holidays its pets who aren’t adopted. (Richmond Animal League)
The secret’s out: Secret Squares plans to set up a storefront in Church Hill. While we’ll be crushed to see Nile end its time in the East End at the beginning of the new year, we’re excited to see what they do next, and we’re excited that another delicious eatery will be moving into the neighborhood. The pizza pop-up owner, Willoughby Obenchain, brought his concept to life during the pandemic, and now the “seriously thick” Detroit-style pies will be available all the time(ish) starting in the spring. We’ll be looking for the red sauce/vodka sauce/ramp pesto/ricotta situation pictured above as soon as we walk in the door, personally. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
😿Beloved shop cat of Shelf Life Books fame, Wonton, passed away last week. (Instagram)
🫖The Queen’s Library Tea Room is hosting a Holiday Tea Experience, featuring “all the bells and whistles.” (Eventbrite)
🍗Scott’s Schwarma is moving to The Fan. (Richmond BizSense)
🦘Reminder: Richmond Kickers recently set a new USL League One average attendance record of 4,786 fans per match and overall attendance record of 76,577 fans! Their home opener is officially set for March 23 against South Georgia Tormenta FC — get 2024 season tix here and join the crowd next year. (Richmond Kickers)
Image Source: Absurd Snacks
Weekly Giveaway
Absurd Snacks
Everyone loves a good snack. Not only that, but everyone loves a snack that hits allll the spots — sweet, salty, crunchy, zesty. Enter: Absurd Snacks, a high-protein, low-sugar snack mix completely free from major allergens and only sweetened with pure maple syrup. Made from simple roasted ingredients like chickpeas, fava beans, granola clusters, naturally sweetened dried fruit, and whole spices, Absurd Snacks is the trusty, nutrient-rich snack you need to make every day just a li’l bit better.
This week, we’re teaming up with Absurd Snacks to give away a family-size *and* single-serve variety pack of Magic Maple Cinnamon and award-winning Rockin’ Rosemary Sea Salt snack mixes — each plant-based and allergy-friendly! Enjoy crunchy, sweet, and salty goodness safe for all snackers.
To enter, tell us: A mud lark makes money by doing what (*possibly* near the James, even)?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Laura E., for winning the Barrel Thief giveaway!
Image Source: Absurd Snacks
Member Perks
Absurd Snacks
Too hungry to wait for the giveaway winner reveal? We’ve got a perk for that!
Members of The Richmond Experience enjoy 20% off PLUS free shipping when they shop at absurdsnacks.com and use code RVAX.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 19 new members this week: Madison T., Kelli B., Melissa L., Adrienne W., Rebecca L., Ali H., Erin Z., Sasha G., Sam H., Cynthia C., Zory O., Jon F., Krystle D., Ann C., Melina A., Erin M., Ashley V., Rafael D., and Brandy 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 284 of The Weekly Insider.
See ya again soon!
- The Richmond Experience
OUR LOCAL PARTNERS
