Ed 342: Member Survey, Fitness Group, Craft Beer & Music Festival
Hi!
Paige and I are fresh off our planning weekend at Stay Namu. We did a little note-taking, ate multiple rounds of to-go options from Stella’s Grocery, sent some emails, and aside from the few minutes I felt faint after cutting the absolute hell out of my finger on the first morning while trying to slice a bagel, we had an extremely productive time! (My finger’s healing nicely, BTW.)
We can’t wait to start sharing some of the plans we’ve put in place for the year ahead, but as we tidy up a few more loose ends, we thought it’d be a good time to get more of your feedback, too. If you have five(ish) minutes, will you do us a solid and complete this li’l survey? We love getting your input on how we run things over here, and we’re happy to throw in the possibility of something delish while we’re at it — if you fill out this member survey, you’re entered into a giveaway for $100 to Beauvine Burger Concept. That’s important work *and* a side of fries.
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including discount codes, Best of Richmond noms, chocolate-covered strawberry ice cream, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Cloudy; high of 39°, low of 31°
Thursday: Rain likely; high of 62°, low of 34°
Friday: Sunny; high of 61°, low of 40°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 4 - 7 pm: DOG KISSING BOOTH
Thursday, 7 - 9 pm: TRIVIA NIGHT AT BINGO BEER CO
Friday, 5 - 8 pm: FIRST FRIDAYS
CITY GUIDES
1. EDITOR’S NOTE: A SWIFTIE WALKS INTO A GWARBAR
2. ACTIONABLE WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR BLACK COMMUNITY, NOW & ALWAYS
Image Source: We Off The Couch
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
We Off The Couch: This community-based run and fitness group encourages hundreds of Richmonders to join in on its positive running experience centered on camaraderie, fitness, fun, and life; the group hosts weekly runs and various events throughout the year. We Off The Couch *also* works to limit barriers to fitness opps by raising funds for race entries and the cost of running shoes quarterly and by offering at-no-cost marathon training and more.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: Lemaire Restaurant
Image Source: @torch_rva
Image Source: @richmondspca
Image Source: Ardent Craft Ales
SOCIAL NEWS
Where to grab a drink this week: Lemaire Restaurant is back at it again with its happy hour offering, after a long break stemming from the pandemic. The Jefferson Hotel’s restaurant offers everything from cocktails to dessert, and now, from 4 to 7 pm daily, you can sip on $8 cosmos, $8 old fashioneds, $6 house red and white wines, and $4 select beers. (Style Weekly)
One of our favorite new(ish) festivals is coming back to Brown’s Island this summer. JamPacked Craft Beer & Music Festival happens Saturday, August 9, and will feature music from Lotus, Moon Taxi, Spafford, TAUK featuring Kanika Moore, and Kendall Street Company. The line-up of participating breweries is still in the works, but beer and canned cocktails will be available for purchase, and there will also be food trucks on the island. FWIW, we were introduced to Volcano Sauce at this fest a couple years back, and we still feel the need to bring it up whenever we can. Tix for JamPacked go on sale this Thursday, February 6! (JamPacked Festival)
It’s giving spring refresh: The 2025 Richmond Home + Garden Show is coming up (February 28 through March 2!), and our friends BTS gave us a discount code to pass along. Use RVAX to snag 50% off your ticket (or buy it here), and get excited to hang with 225 home improvement and landscape design experts at Richmond Raceway. *And* get some QT with two celebrity guests while you’re there — Leslie Davis and Lyndsay Lamb from HGTV's “Unsellable Houses.” (Richmond Home + Garden Show)
Speaking of perks: The Richmond SPCA has one for RVAx members, too! The org is hosting its 23rd annual Dog Jog, 5K, & Block Party on Saturday, March 22. Lace up your running, jogging, or walking shoes, and join the city’s other dog lovers for an afternoon of furry fun. The event will take place at the Richmond SPCA’s Robins-Starr Humane Center and feature an outdoor marketplace with kids and pets zones, vendors, live music, and more. Use code RVAX10, which takes $10 off Dog Jog or 5K registration! (RunSignUp)
Nominations for Style Weekly’s Best of Richmond are open, now through midnight on Friday, February 28. Says the pub, “Now’s your chance to nominate and vote for the places, spaces, flavors, and faces that make RVA shine — from standout businesses, festivals and art series to must-try restaurants, the best local entertainment, and the people who make it all happen.” Once the staff sorts through noms, voting will happen in March, and Style Weekly will host its Best Fest to celebrate the winners after they’re announced in June. Totally unrelated, but The Chatter’s first anniversary pops up in June, too, and we’re trying to think of a great gift to get her. (Style Weekly)
Things are heating up — Torch Kitchen + Bar is in the midst of its soft opening, happening now through this Friday, February 7. Pop over to the new spot for something like the Grilled Buffalo Cauliflower Steak or Louisiana Gumbo along with some craft cocktails, like the Flame-mingo or Torchini. Its grand opening is expected to happen this Saturday and Sunday, February 8 and 9. (Torch Kitchen + Bar)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🤸Ladders & Lattes, a new play space for children under 6 years old, featuring coffee and tea options for caretakers, is coming to Shockoe Bottom later this year. (Richmond BizSense)
🍦Gelati Celesti dropped its February flavors, including Red Velvet & OREO® Cookie (a Paige fave), Chocolate Covered Strawberry, Dairy-Free Cookies & Cream, Cherry Vanilla, and Don't Ask. (Instagram)
📸In celebration of Black History Month, the City of Richmond unveiled Portals, which, in the windows of several businesses in Shockoe Bottom, features pictures of African-Americans who were major contributors to the success and growth of RVA. You can take yourself on a self-guided tour by accessing the QR codes under each photo and learn more about each piece as you go. (12 On Your Side)
Image Source: Beauvine Burger Concept
Weekly Giveaway
Beauvine Burger Concept
Fine, fine; we said it up top, but we’ll say it again. It is pretty ~juicy~ after all.
This week, we’re giving away $100 to Beauvine Burger Concept! When couldn’t you use a Fruity Pebble shake, you know?
To enter: Complete the RVAx Member Survey 2025!
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winners for winning the Burn Boot Camp giveaway!
Image Source: Erma Jean
Member Perks
Erma Jean
This sister-owned women's apparel, shoes, and accessories store is *always* hitting the mark with its latest offerings, and the Sweetheart Collection is no exception. (Hello, Valli Raised Heart Long Sleeve Sweater pictured!)
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 15% off your order. Use code RVAX at checkout!
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 14 new members this week: Spencer D., Lori T., Rachel B., Margot P., Danielle B., Darby P., Madi J., Amanda K., Cassidy D., Jose D., Sarah H., Patrick P., Elana M., and Grace 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 342 of The Weekly Insider.
TTYL!
- The Richmond Experience
OUR LOCAL PARTNERS
