Ed 334: Korean BBQ, New Year’s Gatsby Gala, Professional Networking Club
Powered by Agecroft Hall & Gardens — time travel through the holiday season at Yuletides, a free, family-friendly event featuring crafts, simmering cider, music, and a variety of lively entertainment, including a visit from Father Christmas himself. Save yourself a spot here!
Happy December!
We missed you! How were you friends? How was your family? How was Wicked??
We had a great time unplugging last week. I, personally, saw Moana 2, but I’ve still had Defying Gravity stuck in my head anyway. It was a cozy li’l time away, and we’re happy to be back at it again — while still staying cozy, considering the temps this week.
Now, we know you’re probably taking a break after all your Black Friday, Small Biz Saturday, and Cyber Monday shopping, but we’ve pulled together a mini list of our favorite things (of late), and it’s very possible you may want to fire up your carts again to add any or all of our coming recs to your list. So, let’s get to that and all the other Richmond things to know and love, right now, shall we?
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including another pop-up to know, where to donate this holiday season, a brewery expansion, and more.
THINGS WE’RE *WAY* LOVING THIS MONTH
Paige:
MediaNoche hats and more: I recently stopped by MediaNoche at Stony Point Fashion Park and fell in love with the shop and its incredible hat selection! Featuring over 130 artists and makers from Virginia (most from Richmond), you’ll find local favorites like Maven Made, RVA Coffee Stain, and more. Their retail hat selection, in particular, is unmatched, and I couldn’t resist trying a few on. The best part? They have a feather bar where you can personalize your hat and make it uniquely yours!
KavaClub: I recently visited KavaClub for the first time to see what kava is all about. This non-alcoholic beverage, made from the root of the kava plant, is known for its calming effects and is said to be especially helpful for those with social anxiety. The KavaClub space itself is a vibe, too, offering designated workspaces, free Wi-Fi, games, a pool table, darts, and plenty of entertainment to enjoy while sipping on kava. Holly and I each tried a glass — it made our mouths tingle, left us feeling super chill, and I slept like a baby afterward. Definitely worth a visit if you're curious about kava or just need a relaxing spot to hang out!
Kelsey:
Molly Reeder art work: I *love* local artist Molly Reeder’s food and botanical illustrations. I just snagged her 5” x 7” Birthday Cake Archival Print from her online shop, and I’m going to hang it in my kitchen alongside a few prints I’ve been saving from a previous edition of her illustrated calendar. BTW: The cake piece is part of Molly’s 2025 Illustrated Calendar, which Cup of Jo recently featured on a gift guide! Snag one (and then some) before her shop closes for the year on December 10.
Hardywood Chocolate Peppermint Stout: I’m a major fan of peppermint — this time of year and always — and when I saw the Chocolate Peppermint Stout was an exclusive release for Hardywood’s GBS Holiday Gift Pack, it was an instant purchase. The imperial milk stout features cocoa, vanilla beans, and natural peppermint flavor; it’s the holiday season in a pint.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Sunny; high of 45°, low of 22°
Thursday: Sunny; high of 44°, low of 25°
Friday: Sunny; high of 38°, low of 23°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 4:30 - 7:30 pm: CHRISTKINDLMARKET
Thursday, 2 - 4 pm: WREATH WORKSHOP
Friday, 4 - 7 pm: RVA ILLUMINATES
CITY GUIDES
1. 11 SPOTS TO BUY FRESH-CUT CHRISTMAS TREES
Image Source: Sarah Glenn Marsh
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Sarah Glenn Marsh: She’s a local author whose next work of lovable lit hits the shelves this month. Look out for her newest picture book, Bigfoot’s Big Heart, starting December 17, and have it ready to go in your home library just in time for Valentine’s Day. As the dust jacket puts it, “It’s lonely being a monster. But having other mythical pen pals helps. When Bigfoot loses the Valentine’s Day cards he so tenderly made for his friends around the world, a troop of scouts offers to help. But they will have to get creative to find every mythical creature in time! Sarah Glenn Marsh and Ishaa Lobo team up again for a sweet Valentine’s Day tale about the value of friends, both new and old.”
THE LATEST:
Image Source: @kobop
Image Source: Harry’s at Hofheimer
Image Source: Short Pump Town Center
Image Source: @pinkroomrva
SOCIAL NEWS
Väsen Brewing Company is setting up another location below the river. And they’re bringing their cold beer *and* sizzling Korean BBQ with them. Come summer 2025, owners Joey Darragh and Tony Giordano will be ready to rock and roll with this new hub for the Forest Hill neighborhood, and the team is collaborating with Jason Song, the brains behind Kobop, in an effort to bring a full dining experience to town. (RVA Mag)
The Giving Machine is coming to town — and we don’t just mean Santa Claus. The Giving Machine is a mobile vending machine that will set up a location at Short Pump Town Center from December 20 through January 1, supporting two international nonprofits and five local nonprofits, including Shalom Farms, Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Community Transformers Foundation, Circle Center Adult Day Services, and Worthdays. Keep your eyes peeled for it while you’re doing your holiday shopping at the mall, and consider donating to the cause(s). (Instagram)
And while we’re on the topic of giving, American Heart Association will host its Heart Ball at Main Street Station on April 12. In the meantime, the org is raising funds which will go right back into Richmond for research, providing CPR classes to the community for free, blood pressure machines in easy to access locations, sports equipment and CPR courses for schools, and health care. If you or your place of work is in a position to donate, please consider doing so. (American Heart Association Heart Ball)
It’s the end of an era. After eight years of offering one of the best city views — and drinks to enjoy with it — Kabana Rooftop is closing its doors on January 1. Stop by the downtown hot spot for one last toast between now and then, and get a breathtaking view of the skyline and river while you kick back something like the Gin Whisper (gin, white grapefruit, St-Germain, and lime juice). (Kabana Rooftop)
We hate to keep the vibe low, but Bryant’s Cidery & Brewery also shut down its Carytown location. After six years in the city, the owners noted the decision came down to time and focus: “Two jobs, two kids, and two locations leaves you spread a little thin. When life chills out, we'll be back!” Until then, you can visit the farm tap room at 3224 E Branch Loop in Roseland, and look for the “cider for all” in shops near you. (Instagram)
As you may know by now, Sub Rosa Bakery was devastated by a fire just before Thanksgiving. Second Bottle owner, Erin Keene, lived above the beloved bakery and also lost her apartment to the fire. There’s a GoFundMe available to help get the bakery back on its feet, and we suggest stopping by the bottle shop to restock your holiday selections — local support of our city’s small businesses is always helpful but especially so in particularly trying times like these! (Instagram, Instagram)
Pop by for another pop-up. Harry’s at Hofheimer is adding its take on holiday cheer to the scene. Harry’s Glitz + Glam Holidays will feature festive cocktails (see: Sugar + Spice, Harry’s Nice, a cinnamon version of the traditional old fashioned), exclusive holiday events and parties (see, too: the Annual New Year’s Gatsby Gala), and an overall “world of opulence, glamour, glitz, and sexy indulgence.” (Press Release)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🎀Pink Room is back up and running. (Instagram)
🎷VCU’s pep band, The Peppas, paid homage to Kendrick Lamar at a basketball game and went viral. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Image Source: @helensrva
Weekly Giveaway
Helen’s Restaurant
You know how, when you were a kid, you’d drape all the Christmas lights around yourself before helping your mom decorate, à la the Hanson Snowed In album artwork? No? Just us? Well, this refined eatery’s holiday decor gives that same kind of lights-draped-everywhere vibe — only better.
This week, we’re giving away 20 bucks toward your tab at Helen’s Restaurant! Hot tip: Cocktail Hour is from 4 to 5:30 pm, Tuesday through Saturday, and you don’t need a res.
To enter, tell us: Which five countries have one-syllable names?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Selma R., for winning the Blanchard’s Coffee giveaway!
Image Source: Advertising Club of Richmond
Member Perks
Advertising Club of Richmond
As a member of the Advertising Club of Richmond, you’ll be part of a network that opens doors to new opportunities, relationships, and experiences through events, job boards, and more.
*And* as a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 15% off the Annual Professional Plan. Use code RVAX at checkout!
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 21 new members this week: Zoe J., Barbara S., Donald P., Karly H., Kayla D., Rachel Y., Aris K., Luke P., Dillan O., Krista R., David S., Kiana M., Savannah S., Peggy L., Susan J., Diana L., Heather P., Britt M., Liv C., Chirag S., and Ruth P., 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 334 of The Weekly Insider.
Catch you in The Weekender next!
- The Richmond Experience
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