Ed 305: Mother's Day Gift Guide, Wood-Fired Pizza, Mail Service Fix
Powered by Virginia Museum of Fine Arts — travel back in time with the Samurai Armor exhibit and get an awe-inspiring look at Japan’s exquisitely crafted samurai armor. Snag tix here!
Happy May!
I’m pretty jealous of every biz viz Paige gets to experience, and one that recently seemed simply iris-istible was her trip to Vogue Flowers. Like, a midday stroll through an iconic flower market with a bouquet of blooms to go? File that under: How to romanticize your life.
ICYDK: Vogue Flowers is a family florist that’s been a River City staple for more than 35 years. They offer ~the widest selection of fresh-cut flowers in the region~ AND have a DIY Flowers option if you’re feeling particularly inspired when you walk in.
Now, I’m not your mom or anything, but… if I were, I’d be reminding you that Mother’s Day is right around the corner (Sunday, May 12!), and I’d love it if you scooped up some petals from this local shop and delivered them straight to me, either by mail or in person — I *do* always love it when you visit, sweetie.
Want some more good advice? 👇
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including Iron Blossom headliners, restaurant openings in the suburbs, an art studio space for private and collaborative work, and more.
WEATHER
Wednesday: Partly cloudy; high of 82°, low of 59°
Thursday: Partly cloudy; high of 86°, low of 60°
Friday: Partly cloudy; high of 82°, low of 56°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 8 pm: POWER TOOLS 101
Thursday, 7 - 9 pm: TRIVIA NIGHT AT BINGO BEER CO
Friday, 6 - 9:30 pm: FRIDAY CHEERS: BELLA WHITE WITH COLBY T. HELMS & THE VIRGINIA CREEPERS
CITY GUIDES
1. 12 LOCAL DATE SPECIALS TO ENJOY WITH YOUR SOMEONE SPECIAL
Image Source: Abi’s Books & Brews
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Abi Duffin: She’s the namesake of soon-to-open bookshop and coffeehouse Abi’s Books & Brews! Owner Keith Duffin told Richmond BizSense that his concept for the new Cary St spot “was motivated not just by a love of books but also a desire to create a business that he plans to hand over to his teenage daughter Abi when she becomes an adult.” Mark your cal to visit on its opening day, June 1.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: @herrsuite
Image Source: 17th St Studios
Image Source: Taco Bamba
Image Source: @ironblossomrva
SOCIAL NEWS
Canvasing Shockoe Bottom: 17th Street Studios recently opened, and private and collaborative studio space is available. Says the spot itself, “Whether you're a painter, sculptor, or mixed-media artist, 17th St Studios is your home for creative expression and collaboration in Richmond, Virginia.” Shop memberships, peruse the studio’s artists and events, or just pop by for a look around the colorful art zone in Shockoe Bottom. (17th St Studios)
Festival szn is upon us: And Iron Blossom is returning for its second year at the end of this summer! Save the date(s) for the music festival on September 21 and 22, and get pumped for acts Mt. Joy, Hippo Campus, and more. This year, the festival will take place at the training center on Leigh (AKA: Bon Secours Training Center), and presale starts this Thursday at 10 am — you can sign up at ironblossomfestival.com. (Instagram)
We want a pizza this: Brick Fire is coming to Maya’s former space downtown. The pizza spot will serve wood-fired pies (crisped to perfection in a Marra Forni pizza oven) and cocktails. An opening date is TBD but anticipated for August.
If you’re hungry for more restaurant openings, our May edition of The Trendspotter goes live this week to keep you up-to-date on everything that’s open right damn now, and RTD rounded up a handful of spots to look out for later down the road, including Taco Bamba, Ballast, Fat Kid Sandwiches, and others. (Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Other areas to grab a bite: In more restaurant news, VPM says the suburbs are seeing an uptick in (potential) hot spots to visit. Reports the pub, “In recent years, nearby suburban markets have competed with the city’s nationally recognized culinary scene. The number of food permit requests has decreased in the city when compared to pre-pandemic numbers. Meanwhile, food permits in suburban Henrico and Chesterfield counties have trended up compared to 2019, according to data from the Virginia Department of Health.” (VPM)
Feeling hot-hot-hot: While we didn’t get the snowy winter the weather folks were expecting, they’re now calling for a hot-af summer ahead. Apparently, Virginia is having one of its toastiest starts to the year already, and looking to the near future, some Richmond neighborhoods could see temps rise to 103 degrees, due to something called the heat island effect. In other words, keep your reusable water bottle of choice full, friends! (Axios Richmond)
Please, please, Mister Postman: As you undoubtedly know, the mail situation in Richmond (and elsewhere) is giving WTF recently. According to a recent review of the Richmond Regional Processing and Distribution Center, there are issues with lost mail and poor coordination between processing machines and trucks moving mail, among other probs. As far as solutions go, Senator Mark Warner plans to chat with the US Postmaster General and figure out a remedy ASAP. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
👩🦳The Jammin’ Grannies have us smiling even more with how they’re spending their 10k Spirit Contest winnings. (Instagram)
🌼HerrSuite just finished a new mural outside of Nate’s Bagels. (Instagram)
Image Source: bbgb
Weekly Giveaway
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Between our Richmonder to Know and this week’s giveaway, we’ve *clearly* still got Independent Bookstore Day on the brain. So, here’s our way of continuing to show some local-lit love.
This week, we’re giving away a $20 gift card to bbgb! Not sure what to add to your kiddo’s spring reading list? We’ve got some ideas.
To enter, tell us: What local biz have you supported recently?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Lila K., for winning The Smoky Mug giveaway!
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 22 new members this week: Travis Q., Bobby O., Sarah B., Kristen W., Heather A., Mike H., Emily O., Kristinia B., Shay C., Will G., Maria S., Meredith M., Natalie S., Susan J., Alyssa S., Veena S., Adrian T., Valeria G., Andrea W., Summer M., Josie F., and Michell K., 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 305 of The Weekly Insider.
Lights, camera, b—h, smile!
- The Richmond Experience
Thank you to Virginia Museum of Fine Arts for powering this edition of The Weekly Insider from The Richmond Experience!
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