Ed 289: Furniture Showroom & Restaurant, Green Space, All-You-Can-Eat Japanese
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Hi there!
We’re about two weeks away from our first book club meeting of the year! Have you started reading the January pick, yet? Me neither — what’s with the third degree?!
But I AM excited to start, and I DO plan to, and it DOES sound great. It was named Best Book of the (last) Year by NPR, Washington Post, and Time Magazine, after all. That should pair perfectly with Virago’s seasonal libations (see you soon, Wild at Heart), which they can make non-alcoholic, BTW, whether you’re Dry January-ing or not.
And speaking of good books, did you catch the Axios Richmond breakdown of Richmond-area public library stats for 2023? We touched on them a bit in Ed 285, but there’s more where that came from, including the five most borrowed books from RPL — FOUR of which we’ve had book club meetings for, ow!:
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
So, see you on January 24?
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including woman brewers, an opp to make your voice heard, special little things for your home and pantry, and more.
WEATHER
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy; high of 51°, low of 31°
Thursday: Partly cloudy; high of 55°, low of 30°
Friday: Partly cloudy; high of 54°, low of 46°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 8 - 9 am: SUNRISE SCIENCE — AI IN OUR LIVES TODAY
Thursday, 7 - 9 pm: TRIVIA NIGHT AT BINGO BEER CO.
Friday, 5 - 8 pm: AFTER 5 FRIDAYS
CITY GUIDES
1. 10 SPOTS TO SLURP OYSTERS IN RICHMOND
2. MUSIC ROUNDUP: CONCERTS & SHOWS HAPPENING IN RICHMOND, NOW THROUGH JANUARY 31
Image Source: The Well Collective
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Ashley Williams: She’s the brains behind The Well Collective — a space that takes self-care up a notch, with equity and intergenerational healing top of mind. When Ashley started the biz, she wanted it to be a conscious workspace and a place where independent wellness practitioners could rent out the facilities to host their classes and appointments. Think: a ghost kitchen, but for wellness and healthy living. The Well Collective also sells merch, books, replenishing beverages, and other well-being products.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: Library of Virginia
Image Source: Sushi Masa
Image Source: @txturliving
Image Source: @shopoddbird
SOCIAL NEWS
Like IKEA but not: There’s a furniture-showroom/restaurant coming to town. Roanoke-based spot Txtur and its very own Stock Café & Bar have plans to open another location in Richmond by summertime. Txtur creates MTO pieces from its wide selection of fabrics, leathers, and woods, and Stock Café & Bar’s menu features Nordic- and Scandinavian-inspired eats, an eclectic selection of wines from the region, and expertly-made craft cocktails. (Richmond BizSense)
This deserves some spesh tweetment: Look for a home-and-pantry shop on Brook Rd in February. Odd Bird specializes in “special little things” to spruce up your home tables, couches, and plates, and the shop is planning its grand opening for Friday, February 2. In the meantime, get to know the brains behind the Bird and keep an eye on social media for more updates from the spot. (Instagram)
Roll out the red carpet: Sushi Masa is officially open. The Japanese fusion restaurant on Broad St receives fresh fish multiple times a week and features in its sashimi platters (which “arrive in ice-filled conch- and peacock-shaped displays,” BTW), hand rolls, and more. Enjoy the colorful and fun ambiance (a koi pond greets you when you enter) while you nosh, and consider reserving the karaoke room for your party, if you won’t be too zonked after din. (Richmond magazine)
EAT says it’s a wrap: Unfortunately, the Scott’s Addition food hall talk is no longer. EAT bought a warehouse spot in the neighborhood for $3 mil last year, but project head Chris Tsui recently announced that the original plans for the six-stall concept aren’t happening – but he didn’t offer much more explanation than that. He did, however, note that EAT is considering other options for the space instead. (Richmond BizSense)
The meat and potatoes of it all: Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille is opening its first Virginia location in Short Pump. Next month, the decades-old food institution will begin offering its signature “award-winning menu, impeccable service, and vibrantly elegant yet comfortable atmosphere,” debuting in the former Bar Louie spot in Short Pump Town Center. Look forward to a menu of mouth-watering options like Perry’s Famous Pork Chop, vegan entrees, and more. (RVAHub)
Sold!: The James River Park System is welcoming Mayo Island to its natural playground. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and City of Richmond pulled together $15 million to purchase the landmass and announced the transaction late last week. More details about what will become of the space are in the works, but Mayor Levar Stoney’s office noted that it will be utilized “as green space to benefit all Richmonders.” (Richmond BizSense)
Stop right now — thank you very much: The City of Richmond has opened the floor to the public to have its voices heard about addressing a dangerous intersection in Northside. Since removing the AP Hill statue last year, the intersection of W Laburnum Ave and Hermitage Rd lacks a proper traffic circle. A survey is available for folks to chime in, and a public meeting will be held at Linwood Holton Elementary School on Thursday, January 18, for further discussion. (RVAHub)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🚪Nama Indian Cuisine & Cocktails is closing its doors this Sunday, January 14. (Instagram)
🍽Hatch Local Food Hall has welcomed yet another resident to its space — KaysKhushbu has its grand opening this week on January 10. (Instagram)
🍻ICYMI, we’re loving this write-up about Richmond’s woman brewers. (Style Weekly)
Image Source: Laura Lee’s
Weekly Giveaway
Laura Lee’s
Did you get a chance to check out our fave recs for slurping oysters in the River City? We can practically taste the Fried Oysters with green herb mayo and chow chow at Laura Lee’s — and we want you to, too.
This week, we’re giving away a $20 gift card to Laura Lee’s to cover your first round! Awww, shucks.
To enter, tell us: What is the rarest pearl color in the world?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Kaylyn H., for winning the Ceremony giveaway!
Image Source: My Empanada
Member Perks
My Empanada
It’s getting cold out there — transport yourself to Latin America with some golden brown, sweet or savory crescent-shaped pastries from My Empanada.
Members of The Richmond Experience get the following perks. Just mention you’re a member when you check out!:
Buy three empanadas, get one free.
With the purchase of a medium party tray, get an 8 oz salsa free ($6.99 value)
With the purchase of a large party tray, get two 8 oz salsas free
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 15 new members this week: Caleb B., Sydney S., Kennedy O., Stephan M., Jessica B., Francesca R., Andrew M., Lydia H., Kaceshus H., Erin L., Emily S., Jennifer G., Alien U., Megan M., and Ally 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 289 of The Weekly Insider.
TTYS!
- The Richmond Experience
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