Ed 310: Secret Project, Father’s Day Gift Guide, Knit in Public Day
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Happy Wednesday!
It's the beginning of June (?!), which means we've got Things We're *WAY* Loving This Month on the brain, but I have to be honest: One thing we're *WAY*, WAY, WAaAaYyY loving this month is a ~secret project~ we've been cooking up behind the scenes over here for a while now.
We can't broadcast the *whole* scoop just yet, but if you've been in earshot of Paige and me working at Common House, Afterglow Coffee Cooperative, or anywhere else this year, you may have very likely heard us chattering away about some v exciting plans The Richmond Experience has on the horizon. Think, like, in the near future. And think: Mark your calendar for Friday, June 21. And ALSO *maybe* think: Have a fresh pair of earbuds at the ready.
Okay, okay, that's all we can really say for now, but don't you worry — we'll have lots more to talk about soon.
In the meantime, those otherrr things we're *WAY* loving this month ⬇️
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including where to find a new vodka tasting room, how to combat climate change, a rap-battling dad and baby, and more.
THINGS WE’RE *WAY* LOVING THIS MONTH
Paige:
Pink Room: I stopped by Chef Brittanny Anderson's newest spot in Church Hill, and it's obsession-worthy. The pink decor, unique cocktails, delicious small plates, and killer ambiance make me want to go back for more ASAP.
The Getaway Bar: If you love Taylor Swift (who doesn't?), plan to stop by Three Notch'd Craft Kitchen & Brewery's very own pop-up bar dedicated to the queen herself. You have until Friday, June 15!
Kelsey:
Lineage Candles: I got a chance to check out the new Txtur furniture showroom, bar, and cafe in Manchester, and the place is b-e-a-utiful. Plus, it’s stocked with all kinds of home goods, like Virginia-based Lineage products. Putting the Grapefruit & Fig Candle in every room of my house.
Flowers After 5: I’ve put in a lot of facetime with the flowers at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden recently, and I love the Flowers After 5 outdoor concert series the spot offers on Thursdays during these warm-weather months. Stop by for drinks, eats, and music, then peruse the garden late into the evening — it stays open until 9 pm for the occasion!
WEATHER
Wednesday: Likely chance of rain; high of 84°, low of 67°
Thursday: Mostly sunny; high of 90°, low of 68°
Friday: Sunny; high of 82°, low of 66°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 7:30 pm: PETALS & PRIDE FLOWER BAR @ BLUE BEE CIDER
Thursday, 5 - 7 pm: EATS & SWEETS
Friday, 5 - 8 pm: FIRST FRIDAYS AT VMHC
CITY GUIDES
1. PRIDE MONTH EVENTS HAPPENING IN RVA THIS JUNE (& MORE WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY!)
Image Source: @sipsandtripswithpaige
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Steve Papoulakos: He owns the iconic flower shop on Broad St, Vogue Flower Market. This family-owned spot has been in the blooms biz since 1985, and they grow some of their in-store offerings on their own family farm, too! Want to romanticize the hell out of your life this summer? Pop by the market on any given day and treat yourself to a bouquet of buds just because. VERY Meg Ryan in that opening scene of You've Got Mail, if you ask us.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: Library of Virginia
Image Source: @klineschesterfield
Image Source: @cirrusvodka
Image Source: Late Air
SOCIAL NEWS
This is knot a drill: Library of Virginia is hosting a Knit in Public Day this Saturday, June 8! From 10 am to 2 pm, in the library's lobby and conference rooms, attendees (of all knitting experience levels) can come together to, well, knit together. Bring your in-progress project(s) to work on or just stop by to enjoy the various lectures, displays, and demos that'll be part of the experience, too. Plus, there'll be refreshments and door prizes at the ready. (WRIC)
We’re getting straight to the pint, JMU Dukes: Kline's Dairy Bar is setting up its ice cream shop in Chesterfield this summer. The Harrisonburg staple for locals, college students, and alumni (milkshake for Kelsey, plz!) announced the good news at the end of last year, and as of a post on Insta last month, it looks like an opening date is in the works for July. Follow @klineschesterfield for upcoming updates. (Instagram)
In not-so-sweet news: Carytown Cupcakes is closing its doors on Sunday, June 23. The spot made the announcement last week, noting that exciting plans for its space are on deck. In the meantime, be sure to stop by in the coming weeks to say farewell and snag some fan and staff favorites Carytown Cupcakes will highlight for its weekly and weekend specials. They plan to stay stocked and operating biz-as-usual until closing day. (RVAHub)
Have yourself a drink: And make it a stiff one featuring something delish from one of Virginia's distilleries. According to a recent Axios write-up, these particular watering holes are responsible for about $1 billion going toward the state's economy each year. Here's a run-down of some of the stats: There are 81 distilleries in VA (six of which are some of our Richmond faves, BTW), and they produced 4.37 million gallons of spirits in 2022 (including absinthe, bourbon, brandy, gin, moonshine, rum and rye), generated more than $275.9 million in revenue that same year, and support around 3,081 jobs in Virginia, paying employees more than $139 million in wages. (Axios Richmond)
Speaking of distilleries: Cirrus Vodka is opening a new tasting room and retail space in Scott's Addition. The extremely swanky spot will live in the Ballast development, a project spearheaded by the folks behind Yellow Umbrella Provisions and that will feature a restaurant, market, courtyard, and lots of outdoor seating, too. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Say it ain’t so (but also, congrats are in order!): Chef Daniel Harthausen (of Young Mother deliciousness fame and The Big Brunch winner fame) moved to Savannah, Georgia! The RVA talent is apparently gifting his skills to the kitchen and diners alike as the new head chef at Late Air. This tasty-looking restaurant offers a rotating list of natural wines to pair with its seasonally evolving small dishes, so now we're even more jealous of Georgians. (Instagram)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🌎’Tis the voting season, and PlanRVA recently put out a survey to help make your voice heard. Now through June 28, submit your feedback here and help combat climate change. (RVAHub)
👶Have you heard about the local dad who rap-battles his baby? Now you have. (Instagram)
Image Source: EFM Waxing
Weekly Giveaway
EFM Waxing
Did you catch our visit to EFM Waxing over the weekend? Owner Emma Mehok is in the business of easy, efficient, and overall ~smooth~ body-waxing sessions, and we can confirm from experience, she delivers. Make appointment plans ASAP, before your summer gets packed with pool parties, beach trips, and barbecues galore!
This week, we’re teaming up with EFM Waxing to give away a FREE waxing service of your choice! (Note: This excludes a full leg wax.)
To enter, tell us: What’s on your summer TBR list?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Elise B., for winning the Stella’s giveaway!
Image Source: EFM Waxing
Member Perks
EFM Waxing
Can’t wait for the giveaway winner reveal? We’ve got a perk for that!
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 50% off your first wax when you mention The Richmond Experience at booking!
(Note: This excludes a full leg wax.)
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 17 new members this week: Angel B., Khadeeja S., Evelyn R., Kristin N., Eugene P., Renee M., Raychel W., Brittany F., Kyra F., Jennessa A., Andrea B., Lilli M., Angelica O., Jessica S., Tabitha C., Kaitlyn H., and Amanda M., 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 310 of The Weekly Insider.
See you next week!
- The Richmond Experience
Thank you to Ellie Mental Health for powering this edition of The Weekly Insider from The Richmond Experience!
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