Ed 337: Cone Parade, Comics & Manga, Smoothie & Juice Bar Closing
Happy New Year, RVAx members!
We'll keep this edition hangover-friendly — whether you imbibed last night or just need a short 'n sweet catch-up after all that holiday hustle and bustle over these last few days.
Paige and I can’t say it enough: We are SO grateful to do what we do and take you around with us as we explore our beautiful River City. Thank you for yet another wonderful year in 2024 — we quite literally cannot wait to let the good times roll, into and all throughout 2025. (You know, like, after you've officially rehydrated, rebooted, and everything.)
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including Beyoncé-inspired cheese biscuits, three new coffee shops, a baby pygmy hippo, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Sunny; high of 51°, low of 36°
Thursday: Sunny; high of 45°, low of 30°
Friday: Cloudy; high of 44°, low of 29°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 12 - 2 pm: 17TH ANNUAL CONE PARADE
Thursday, 7 - 9 pm: TRIVIA NIGHT AT BINGO BEER CO
Friday, 5 - 8 pm: FIRST FRIDAYS AT VMHC
CITY GUIDES
1. 12 UNDERRATED THINGS TO ENJOY IN THE RICHMOND AREA FOR UNDER $15(ISH)
2. 7 LOCAL PLACES TO GRAB A NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE
3. HOW TO ROMANTICIZE YOUR LIFE THIS WINTER, IN & AROUND RICHMOND
Image Source: Bubbles
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Bubbles: This independent fanzine about comics and manga comes to us from Brian Baynes, who’s published 21 issues since its start in 2019. Snag a copy here, and make plans to attend Brian’s second iteration of Bubbles Con, too — a (free!) two-day symposium of interviews and talks on comics and manga, happening on June 6 and 7 at Main Library.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: @bravecaptainrva
Image Source: North End Juice Co.
Image Source: Metro Richmond Zoo
Image Source: @gluetrapmovie
SOCIAL NEWS
Break out the cone-fetti: We highlighted it in the Happenings section up top, but it’s too cute not to mention again. New Year’s Day marks the Cone Parade’s 17th annual celebration. The just-plain-joyful event gets bigger every year, and according to its organizers, the parade is a symbolic celebration to welcome prosperity and positive energy for the new year; in sacred geometry, cones are a symbol of bringing forth and focusing energy. Feel free to dress up and participate or just stop by to watch — spotting a cone on New’s Year Day *is* good luck, after all. Things kick off at noon in the Aquarian Bookshop parking lot in Carytown. (Cone Parade)
Sounds like a shore thing: Brave Captain, from the brains behind Cobra Cabana and Hot for Pizza, opened in Oregon Hill at the end of December. The space is cozy and nautical, featuring a simple but hearty menu of things like sailor sandwiches, crab dip, clam chowder, and cheese biscuits. We love to ~sea~ it. (Style Weekly)
We’re grape-ful for the memories: North End Juice Co. closed its Church Hill doors earlier this week. After five successful years in the East End, the smoothie and juice bar is focusing its attention on its original walk-up location in the Museum District. ICYMI, our founder was a big fan when she lived in the Richmond area, given its community feel, wellness shots, and fresh-made ingredients. Head over and show some love ASAP. (Instagram)
Oh, what joy and what surprise: Last week, the Metro Richmond Zoo announced a new addition to its animal family: a baby pygmy hippo. The calf was born on December 9 to parents Iris and Corwin, who have three other kiddos in their personal bloat. The org had a naming contest for the bb earlier this week, so stay tuned for the winning selection. In the meantime, stop by and visit when you get a chance — the Metro Richmond Zoo is the only place in Virginia where people can see hippos! (Metro Richmond Zoo)
Attn, movie buffs: An indie horror comedy created by Mechanicsville native Justin Geldzahler debuted for a limited theatrical run from December 13 to 19 at Movieland. Glue Trap follows a couple on their getaway to the mountains, where they intend to revive their failing relationship… and then an unannounced visitor arrives and quickly changes that plan. If you didn’t make it to the theater to catch a showing, you can now find it on digital and VOD to watch at home. (Style Weekly, Instagram)
Say you can’t sleep, baby, I know: ICYMI, there are a few new coffee shops in town. Parousia Coffee — an RVA Big Market and South of the James Market fave — set up shop at its brick-and-mortar on W Clay St in Scott’s Addition. Fairuz Cafe — serving Middle Eastern coffee and then some — opened on Patterson Ave in Henrico. And Foxtail Coffee Co. — a Florida-based spot that’s quickly made its way throughout the country — opened its first Virginia location on Old Brick Rd in Glen Allen. (Instagram, Instagram, Instagram)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
✨Don’t forget: Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights ends this Sunday, January 5! (Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden)
Image Source: Point 5
Weekly Giveaway
Point 5
Whether you’re planning for Dry January, Damp January, or neither, Point 5 has plenty of options for all your bev-enjoying needs. The spot is Richmond’s first stand-alone alcohol-free bottle shop offering specialty beverages and mixers for sober-curious and regular drinkers.
This week, we’re giving away a $25 gift card to Point 5! As they say, life is wonderful AF.
To enter, tell us: What’s your top “in” and “out” for 2025?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Emily B., for winning the EFM Waxing giveaway!
Image Source: Celeste Farms
Member Perks
Celeste Farms
If “spend way more time with loved ones” is one of your INs for 2025, visiting Celeste Farms is a great way to do just that. A band of tinkerers, Big Idea thinkers, foraged food wizards, and mad scientist farmers, Celeste Farms was founded on a true passion for sharing knowledge and expanding skill sets, and one of its many offerings is its dining experience at the farm itself.
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get $25 off Community Supper tickets! Use code RICHMONDEXPERIENCE2025 when you book.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 50 new members this week: MB H., Genesis O., Annette A., Ali K., Bobby S., Paul C., Caitlin D., Sarah F., Myeasha T., Robin R., April S., Rebecca R., Betsy M., Megan H., David L., Kathryne B., Thomas B., Jesse G., Katelynn R., Marina B., Jay J., Kristel T., Abel V., Shawna B., Alex S., Sarah V., Karlie A., Lynn W., Mikaela P., Blake L., Anne W., Jansen B., Mark O., Richard T., Rachel L., Ay M., Krishna P., Andrea H., Katie C., Thomas S., Brendan D., Jennifer B., Andrea C., Amanda S., Chloe G., Nathan S., Natalie T., Lis B., Ashley M., and Joanne C., 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 337 of The Weekly Insider.
Cheers to 365 new opps ahead 🥂
- The Richmond Experience
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