Ed 339: Free Coffee, Vegan Food Week, Movie Theater Upgrades
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Hello there!
Welp! 2025 has been a journey — all 15ish days of it. How are you doing? Did you feel that earthquake last night? Should we just put a pin in January and try to start things back up on the right foot at the beginning of February?
As you undoubtedly know, individuals and businesses alike are still dealing with the effects of last week’s water outage. ICYMI, the City of Richmond announced a grace period for tax and bill payments due this month, and Gold Lion Community Cafe pulled together this roundup of ways you can support small businesses in the area.
While we all get our bearings again, now’s as good a time as any to make sure you’re taking care of yourself, too. Drink plenty of water (now that we can again) and schedule the next appointment with your therapist (as of mine yesterday, I’m working on ~not~ doom-scrolling through the news then dissociating from Earth entirely). We can do this, folks! Probably!
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including loose bagels, juice bar plans, art gallery pieces, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Sunny; high of 35°, low of 21°
Thursday: Sunny; high of 40°, low of 19°
Friday: Cloudy; high of 45°, low of 26°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 8:30 pm: PROFS & PINTS: ENCOUNTERING CRYPTIDS
Thursday, 12 - 5 pm: WINTER HOURS: FREE ADMISSION AT AGECROFT HALL & GARDENS
Friday, 10:30 - 11:30 am: BABY ARTSPLAY
CITY GUIDES
1. HEY THERE, SPORTS FANS: THE BEST PLACES TO CATCH A GAME
2. LOCAL COFFEE-PLAYTIME COMBOS FOR PARENTS & THEIR KIDDOS (ESP) TO ENJOY
Image Source: Ours
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Ours: This in-the-works space, set to open early this year, offers “cozy corners for co-working, playful interactions, engaging conversations, offline moments of serenity, shared meals, and the chance to connect with kindred spirits.” Look for it at 2309 W Main St very soon, and stay in the know about the spot’s upcoming goings-on here.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: Roots Natural Kitchen
Image Source: Blanchard’s Coffee Roasting Co.
Image Source: @pamplemousse_gallery
Image Source: The Byrd Theatre
SOCIAL NEWS
Preorder here: Pamplemousse Gallery just started hosting Sunday Bagel for a residency. The art gallery — which apparently showcases all the art we plan on buying for the foreseeable future — can now be your stop-off for dough-y goodness, too. Place preorders for pick-up on Fridays, or stop by with an off-the-cuff order for hot coffee from Recluse Roasting Project, loose bagels, and cream cheese. If you’re more in a sandwich mood, you can find those available after 11 am on Saturdays and Sundays, as well. (Instagram)
For your spring and summer movie-watching plans: Some Richmond-area theaters are getting upgrades to start the new year. Renovations are underway at Bow Tie Movieland, including new electric recliners and larger screens in all auditoriums, two BTX bowtie extreme auditoriums with 50-foot screens and Dolby Atmos sound, a new bar and lounge, and a giant arcade. Across town, The Byrd Theatre’s seat project is working to bring wider seats to the balcony and side sections of the theater as well as two new ADA-accessible platforms. (Instagram, Richmond BizSense)
We’ll drink to that: Blanchard’s Coffee Roasting Co. has been in the local roastery biz for two decades (and TG for that). To celebrate, they’re giving away free cups of drip coffee for the month of January! Stop by any cafe and toast a roast to 20 years of Blanchard’s. (Blanchard’s Coffee Roasting Co.)
Wah-hoo-wah!: Charlottesville-based Roots Natural Kitchen opened a third nearby location, this time in Midlo at the Winterfield Crossing Shopping Center. Founded by a foursome of UVA students and grads, the spot for healthy fast-casual eats has grown a fan base inside and outside of Virginia, offering 14 locations altogether, with plans for more on the horizon, including another location in RVA. Stop by for grain- and salad-based bowls featuring grilled chicken, barbecue tofu, and more. (Richmond BizSense)
Winner, winner: Scott’s Schwarma has plans for a new set-up in Jackson Ward. In addition to his mouth-watering menu of schwarma sandwiches, kebabs, and more from his other Fan location, owner Mahmoud Farah will bring in a charcoal grill and offer barbecued whole and half chickens at the new spot, as well. The space has room for 50 guests at a time and will also allow Mahmoud to expand his catering operation and put in a juice bar featuring fresh lemonade and apple juice. (Richmond BizSense)
Eat your greens: Richmond’s annual plant-powered event is back for its eighth year starting next Tuesday, January 21, and running through Sunday, January 26. V72 x 2 Vegan Food Week, sponsored by Vegan Action, will include delish vegan specials at more than 25 local restaurants, and proceeds will support Food Not Bombs and RVA Community Fridges. (Vegan Food Week)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🦛Metro Richmond Zoo debuted a Poppy Cam this week. (Metro Richmond Zoo)
Image Source: Gold Lion Community Cafe
Weekly Giveaway
Member’s Choice: Restaurant Edition
As we mentioned up top, Richmond was, and is still, going through it with last week’s water outage. Get out and support your faves, and let us help with the check!
This week, we’re giving away $25 to a local restaurant of your choosing! You send us the name, we send you the gift card.
To enter, tell us: Which restaurant do you want to visit in the coming days?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Mike P., for winning the DawnStar giveaway!
Image Source: Cake Drop
Member Perks
Cake Drop
In the mood for something sweet for dessert? Cake Drop is a cottage bakery, which is a fancy way of saying they fully operate out of their home in Richmond, VA. Every month, often mapped to holidays or what’s happening around the world, they release limited edition, limited quantity “cake drops” that offer you unique flavor profiles you’re going to want to share. It’s kinda like a sneaker drop but wayyyy less stressful.
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 10% off any order when you use code RVAEXPERIENCE at checkout!
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 25 new members this week: Katy D., Callie C., Maria S., Morgan D., Steven S., Rowan C., Joe K., Daria K., Bobbi C., Paige L., Natalia H., Trevor T., Lara B., Chris B., Jordan J., Taylor K., Juliana O., Jessica S., Sarah B., Janice D., Fiona R., Kristi E., Madelyn S., Caitlin B., and Olivia 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 339 of The Weekly Insider.
XOXO!
- The Richmond Experience
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