Spotlight

Richmond is home to an abundance of women-owned businesses in a wide range of industries, from delightful eateries to unique shopping experiences and engaging activities. There’s no better time than Women’s History Month to celebrate and support these incredible businesses. By supporting women-owned businesses, you not only boost the local economy but also empower and promote gender equality in the business world. Here’s your guide to celebrating and supporting just a few of the many women-owned businesses in Richmond.

Julelp’s New Southern Cuisine

Places to Eat

Richmond’s culinary scene is vibrant and diverse, with many women leading the charge. Here are some must-visit spots:

• Chez Foushee: Offers an elegant dining experience with a menu inspired by French cuisine in a charming setting.
• Elegant Cuizines: Specializes in beautifully crafted, […]
  

Black History Month is not only a time for reflection and celebration of Black history and culture; it’s also an opportunity to recognize and support the role of Black entrepreneurship in shaping our community. Richmond stands as a beacon of this entrepreneurial spirit, with a rich history of Black business ownership that has contributed significantly to the city’s cultural and economic landscape.

Waller & Company Jewelers

Richmond’s Legacy as a Hub for Black Entrepreneurship

Richmond’s history as a hub for Black entrepreneurship dates back to the era of Reconstruction and beyond, when African Americans, despite facing systemic barriers, began to establish businesses and institutions that would serve their communities and create a foundation for future generations. Jackson Ward, often referred to as the “Harlem of the South,” […]

This holiday season, Richmond shines as a destination for artful and handcrafted items – perfect for thoughtful gift-giving. Local artisans weave stories and love through their creations, creating much more than simply functional items. We’ve curated a unique list of five handcrafted gift ideas from local Richmond businesses and artists that will surely be a gift to remember.

A 5×5 tray by Glass Oven Art that is perfect for jewelry, keys, or other trinkets.
Available at Pop of Confetti.

A 24″ hand-tuned and handcrafted Festival Bronze Wind Chime. 
Available at MediaNoche.

A handcrafted leather crossbody bag. Available […]

What’s a small way you can incorporate more local businesses into your holiday shopping this season? Stocking stuffers! Choosing to shop local for stocking stuffers not only adds unique delights but also supports our community businesses. From charming boutiques to specialty stores, the local scene is rich with thoughtful gifts that add an authentic touch to the season of giving. We’ve curated a few ideas to help get you started.

JACK BLACK NightMode Lip Treatment – Franco’s Fine Clothier

Rich, emollient formula provides soothing, replenishing hydration while you sleep  – or while you’re outdoor in the field.

Aveda Hand Relief^™ Iconic Aroma Trio of Hand Creams – Mango Salon

This trio is perfect for splitting amongst multiple stockings and will keep their hands hydrated all winter long.

Playful […]

Give the gift of memories this holiday season when you gift someone an experience through one of Richmond’s small businesses. An experience gift is perfect for those hard-to-shop-for people on your list and the memories created last long after the gift wrap has been tossed. To help you find the perfect experience gift, we’ve curated a list of some of the best and most unique options in Richmond that are sure to delight and create lasting memories.

Ice Cream Making at Sweet Wynns: Perfect for that person with a sweet tooth, Sweet Wynns offers a delightful ice cream-making experience where participants get to create the perfect ice cream pint to take home.

Cooking Class at Mis En Place: For those who love to experiment in the kitchen or want to enhance their culinary skills, a cooking class at Mis En Place is […]

Discover the joy of unique and enduring gift-giving this holiday season as you explore the diverse collection of consignment and resale stores throughout Richmond. Pre-loved gifts embody thoughtfulness and quality, offering a timeless touch to your presents and a more sustainable and often economical option. These stores offer delightful holiday shopping experiences without compromising on the joy of giving.

Consign RVA

For Furniture and Décor Enthusiasts:

Consign RVA offers one-of-a-kind gifts and decor ranging from antiques and collectibles to designer handbags.

For the Fashionista:

Clementine features carefully curated, high-quality women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories.

Clover

For the Kids:

Clover specializes in high-quality, gently used children’s clothing, perfect for kids who will […]

Whether you’re a lifelong sports fan or just entering your football era, gathering with friends and strangers to enjoy game day food and drinks while cheering for your favorite team is a time-honored tradition. Richmond’s hometown sports teams may be in the minors, but when it comes to local bars and restaurants, the River City is truly in the major league. If you’re looking for a bar to cheer on your favorite team this fall, check out a few of our favorites below.

Home Team Grill

Home Team Grill

Situated in a historic building in the Fan, Home Team Grill is a local favorite, offering a welcoming atmosphere whether you’re on the spacious patio or in the bar, where numerous TVs make sure you won’t miss a moment of the game. […]

Nestled amongst the historical sites and craft breweries for which Richmond has become known, lies a hidden treasure trove of caffeine havens that awaken the senses and fuel the soul. Richmond’s local coffee shop scene has thrived in recent years, brewing up perfect respites for the work-from-home crowd, places to meet friends or colleagues for a cozy chat, and places to savor a truly remarkable cup of joe. Whether you’re looking for a cold brew, a classic espresso, or a seasonal specialty, Richmond’s local coffee shops have something percolating that will suit any caffeine seeker’s tastes. In honor of International Coffee Day, we’re highlighting a few of our favorites.

• Sefton Coffee Company – Downtown
• Perk Coffee & Lunchbox – Bon Air
• River Bend Roastery  – Church Hill
• Whisk– Shockoe Bottom / West End
• Rostov’s Coffee […]
  

Hispanic Heritage Month officially kicks off on September 15 and runs through October 15. The month is a time to celebrate the rich culture and contributions of Hispanic Americans. In the Richmond area, the entrepreneurial efforts by those with lineages from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America continue to strengthen the fabric of the region every year with new businesses that help make Richmond a colorful and unique place to live. In honor of this month-long celebration, we are highlighting seven local businesses with Hispanic heritage.

The Queen’s Library Tea Room

The Queens Library Tea Room:

This charming tea room perched along Richmond’s Main Street offers an authentic English tea service complete as well as a variety of specialty experiences, including a Holiday Tea, Hobbit-inspired […]

With more than 170 parks and mild weather year-round, Richmond is a pawsome place for your four-legged friend. Many restaurants, hotels, and local shops are dog-friendly, but sometimes dogs just need a place to call their own. We’re sharing some of our favorite locally owned businesses in RVA that are dedicated to dogs, from grooming to playtime, and, of course, where to shop for the latest in doggy fashions, treats, and accessories.

The Ruff Canine Club

Ruff Canine Club: Part dog park, part bar, Ruff Dog Park Bar offers fun and entertainment for both dogs and their humans.

CritterTown BathHouse & Market: Richmond’s original self-service bathhouse for pets, CritterTown supplies everything you need to keep your pooch looking and smelling great, plus a […]

Entertaining littles is hard work, especially in Richmond’s summer heat. Luckily, the River City has plenty of locally-owned businesses with fun activities perfect for keeping the tiniest Richmonders entertained, learning, and moving. Continue reading for just a few of Richmond’s local businesses that offer kid-friendly summer fun, both indoors and out – making them a happier place for both kids and parents!

Virginia Museum of History & Culture

Virginia Museum of History & Culture’s Commonwealth Explorers Exhibit:

A long-term exhibition featuring designated stations as well as opportunities for free play, this hands-on, interactive exhibition uses a wide range of story-driven features for kids to see, touch, and experience Virginia’s past and present.

Children’s Museum of Richmond:

From dress-up to arts and crafts, interactive exhibits to a beloved carousel, […]

The official start of summer marks the unofficial start of something else: ice cream season. The time-honored tradition of grabbing a cool treat on a hot day is only sweetened when you grab that scoop from a locally-owned ice cream shop. Read on for the scoop on six of Richmond’s beloved local ice cream shops, and two, just as enticing and locally-owned, frozen alternatives.

Bev’s Homemade Ice Cream

Bev’s Homemade Ice Cream

Located in the heart of Carytown, Bev’s Homemade Ice Cream has been a Richmond favorite for over 30 years. Inspired by New England-style ice cream shops, this pink parlor is known for its handcrafted ice creams made with fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Charm School Study Hall

As summer gets underway, millions of Americans will fire up the grill to enjoy a uniquely American, and definitely Southern, culinary tradition: the backyard barbecue. But if you’re looking to enjoy some finger-lickin’ deliciousness without the hours it takes to cook that fall-off-the-bone deliciousness, you’re in luck. As Richmond has emerged as a foodie destination, the options for mouth-watering barbecue have grown as well. Whether you’re dining in, or grabbing some for your own backyard celebration this Memorial Day Weekend, here are five smokin’ barbecue joints in RVA worth checking out.

ZZQ Texas Craft Barbecue

ZZQ Texas Craft Barbeque: For barbecue enthusiasts seeking an authentic Texas experience, ZZQ Texas Craft Barbeque is the place to be. Situated in Scott’s Addition neighborhood, this award-winning joint showcases the art of Central […]

Whether celebrating your mom or another special person who has always been there for you, Richmond is filled with opportunities to treat them like the queen they are this Mother’s Day while supporting local businesses. Read on for some of our top picks.

Sweet Wynns

For Moms with a Sweet Tooth

If your mom has a sweet tooth, grab a pint of her favorite Gelati Celesti ice cream flavor, her favorite gourmet candies from Zazoli, or pick up freezer-to-oven croissants or French buns from Whisk to wake up with Sunday morning. Step up your gift giving a notch with an ice cream-making workshop you can enjoy together at Sweet Wynns.

For Culinary-Inclined Moms

Treat mom to a pairing workshop at Truckle Cheesemongers, where she’ll learn […]

In years past, Mexican restaurants in Virginia haven’t exactly been known to be the most authentic. In fact, Virginia Mexican restaurants were perhaps most “famous” for creating their own white sauce, a uniquely Virginian dipping sauce found pretty much exclusively in Virginia and North Carolina. These days, however, the options for authentically prepared Mexican foods in Richmond have grown as the city, and its collective palate, has grown. Packed with flavor and rooted in tradition, we’ve rounded up five Richmond-area Mexican restaurants perfect for celebrating Cinco de Mayo or enjoying the explosion of flavors found in exceptional Mexican cuisine any day of the week.

La Cabaña Restaurant y Taqueria: Tucked along the end of an unassuming strip mall in Henrico, this secret gem of a taqueria serves up delicious flavorful tacos just like you’d find in Mexico. Flavorful meat topped with […]

Since 1987, March has been designated as Women’s History Month, punctuated by International Women’s Day, which has been celebrated on March 8 for more than 100 years. The month is designed to highlight women’s indelible contributions to society through their achievements, leadership, courage, strength, and love.

In the decade prior to March’s designation as Women’s History Month in the 1980s, only around 5% of businesses in the United States were owned by women. Today, approximately 40% of all U.S. businesses are owned by women, and in Virginia, that number bumps up to 44%. With that many women-owned businesses, there are so many you can choose to support, but we’re spotlighting ten to get you started.

Alma’s Gallery.

Alma’s Gallery & Shop: This artist-run gallery and shop located in Brookland Park features rotating […]

In honor of Black History Month, we’re spotlighting five of the amazing Black-owned local businesses in Richmond. Richmond has long had a thriving community of Black-owned businesses thanks in part to the resiliency of Jackson Ward neighborhood.

Originally established by European immigrants attracted by its proximity to the retail hub of the city, Jackson Ward became an enclave for former enslaved persons and freed Blacks following the Civil War and during Reconstruction. The neighborhood eventually grew to become a thriving epicenter for Richmond’s Black community, serving as a center of both enterprise and entertainment.

Known as the “birthplace of African-American entrepreneurship,” Jackson Ward hit its stride as one of the most significant Black neighborhoods in the country during the 1920s through the 1940s. Residents built a thriving and self-sustaining business community, anchored in part by the chartering of St. Luke Penny Saving Bank […]

Entertaining this holiday season? Local Richmond business owner Sarah Nicholas knows a thing or two. After seven years in the FBI, Nicholas made a life-changing decision to move to New York City and attend culinary school. Fast forward a few years, and she’s now the proud owner of Ladles and Linens Kitchen Shoppe in Carytown.

After a few years of scaled-down holiday celebrations, Nicholas is seeing an uptick in what she terms “nostalgic cooking.” People are dusting off the treasured family recipes passed down from their grandmothers and making them their own.

Other trends she’s seeing this holiday season? Butter boards, a trend made popular on Tiktok that is exactly what it sounds like, a charcuterie-style board filled with butter for dipping that can be dressed up or down, as well as an increase in the popularity of mocktails.

As for 2023, Sarah thinks we […]

We’ve all got someone on our holiday list that just has everything, and if they don’t have it, they buy it for themselves before anyone else has a chance to. For people like this, we love to surprise them with gift certificates for services. Services that might be a little luxury, or something super practical that they just wouldn’t think to do for themselves. Continue reading for five ideas below!

A gift card to Puritan Cleaners which they can either use for dry cleaning, or for Wash and Fold services, freeing up their time to do literally anything besides laundry.

There’s nothing better than a shiny, clean car, but sometimes life gets too busy […]

Whether you’re shopping for your mom, grandmother, or sister, we’re sure you want them to feel the love this holiday season. We’ve rounded up five timeless gift ideas from local Richmond businesses that pack a punch. Many of these are from women-owned businesses, too!

Perfect for cosmetics, books, chargers, and more, these darling cosmetic bags from Lovevolve let you send your love with them no matter where they go.

A beautiful copper roof birdhouse from Yardbirds is a gift that will give back season after season as feathered friends move in and add a touch of joy to each day.

If you’re like many out there who find it challenging to find unique gifts for the men in your life, we’re here to help. We’re sharing five fun, unique, and even a couple of handcrafted, gift ideas from local Richmond area businesses that are perfect for that special guy in your life.

An Appalachian roll-top backpack from Lineage Goods– perfect for everyday adventures- and big enough to fit a 15″ laptop.

Whether he’s an analog guy or prefers an Apple Watch, these handcrafted leather bands from Blackbyrd will instantly elevate his look.

Treat him to a day on the greens at […]

Bringing along a small token of appreciation for your host or hostess is always a good idea- especially during the season of giving. Host gifts don’t have to be elaborate but can be as simple as a nice bottle of wine, or a gift tying into the occasion itself. To help take some guesswork out of the equation, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite ideas for host gifts this year.

Festive cocktail napkins and accouterments from Ladles & Linens.

Birdies Pimento Cheese in a fun Dip a di do da Bowl – available as a package on their website.

While gift guides and event calendars abound this time of the year, there’s perhaps another list that often gets overlooked- the details. While everyone loves a shiny new present and beautiful memories made, the details that go into the season are often just as important. Read on for seven holiday details that local Richmond businesses can help you take care of this season, easing your stress, and increasing the magic.

Wrapping Elves

Save yourself the frustration and leave the wrapping to the experts this year. Schedule a drop-off date with Wrapping Moments and let these magical wrapping elves work their magic so that the gifts under your tree look just as good wrapped as unwrapped.

Photo Ready

Schedule a visit to one of Mango Salon’s many Richmond area locations so that whether you’re taking your annual holiday card photos or just candids at a festive […]