Spotlight

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 […]