Ed 355: Sandwich Recs, Goodnight Lights, Rosé Room
Powered by Richmond Performing Arts Alliance — come out to Dominion Energy Center this Saturday, May 10, for a FREE day of workshops and performances for youth of all ages. Learn more about this “choose your own arts adventure” event here!
Hello!
We’re in between editions of Things We’re Way Loving Right Now, but in case you didn’t see our coverage on Insta over the weekend, I have to tell you about the sandwich I scooped up at Chimbo Sandwich Shoppe. As you may remember, this spot is now set up in 8½’s former Church Hill digs, doling out nine specialty sammies, along with MTO options, too. I went with the 16” Classic Italian to split with my husband, and we made that thing last for two meals each — these sandwiches are as burly as they are delish. Grab yourself one the next time you’re in the area.
And BTW, I mentioned on The Chatter last week that Church Hill is the Sandwich Neighborhood in my mind, and the more I’ve thought about it, the more I think I’m exactly correct: You’ve got Alamo/Frontier (get the Classic Pulled Pork), Union Market (get the Tuna Melt), The Hill Café (get the California Club), Patrick Henry’s Pub & Grille (get the Grilled Chicken Melt), and Liberty Public House (get the RVA Hot Chicken). See?? Are… you drooling now, too?
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including where to get custom cakes and confections, an intimate dining experience, a sip and shop event, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Scattered thunderstorms; high of 78°, low of 55°
Thursday: Isolated thunderstorms; high of 80°, low of 60°
Friday: Partly cloudy; high of 71°, low of 55°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 7 - 9 pm: BINGO AT BINGO
Thursday, 5:30 - 8 pm: MUSIC AT MAIN STREET STATION
Friday, 6:30 - 8:30 pm: LADIES PINBALL TOURNAMENT
CITY GUIDES
1. 6 OUTDOOR SPOTS TO WORK REMOTELY WHEN YOU NEED SOME FRESH AIR
Image Source: 410 P.M. Productions
RICHMONDER(S) TO KNOW
410 P.M. Productions: This student-led media initiative originated from MASC 410, a Media Entrepreneurship class at VCU’s Robertson School of Communication. Under the guidance of Professor Kaitlin Hanger, sixteen students collaborated to form a production team with the mission of promoting Richmond’s unique and impactful businesses through engaging video shorts. Learn more about each member’s role in the project and peep their work here!
THE LATEST:
Image Source: Scharolina’s Custom Cakes & Confections
Image Source: @gatherforgrace
Image Source: Children’s Hospital of Richmond
Image Source: Dinner Party
SOCIAL NEWS
An especially feel-good story for you: The Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU recently hosted its third annual Goodnight Lights celebration, marking the first anniversary of the Children's Tower. The event brought together first responders from over 50 agencies across the region, who gathered outside the hospital to flash their vehicle lights and wave to pediatric patients, creating a vibrant display of support and encouragement. Patients also participated by shining flashlights from their windows, reciprocating the gestures of the first responders below. The event not only celebrated the hospital's milestone but also reinforced the collective commitment to the well-being of children receiving care at the hospital. And now we’re tearing up again. (Children’s Hospital of Richmond)
Where to host your next event: Carytown’s boutique wine shop, Dinner Party, unveiled its new back-room event venue dubbed the Rosé Room. Transformed from a storage area, the refreshed space features 280 square feet of pink walls, hardwood floors, floral decor, and a farmhouse-style dining table, creating an intimate setting for gatherings of up to 12 guests, like book clubs, wine classes, business meetings, and private parties. It’s available for rent starting at $250 for a two-hour weekday sesh and $350 on weekends, with customizable food and beverage packages. Thanks to its cozy ambiance and amenities like a presentation-ready TV, it’s already attracted interest for various shindigs. (Richmond BizSense)
Local snacks to add to cart: Richmond's food-and-bev scene is experiencing notable growth, with several businesses reflecting a broader trend of local consumer packaged goods, in partic, finding great success. To name a couple, Joye B. Moore, founder of Joyebells, relaunched her brand last month, returning to preservative-free baked goods based on original family recipes and reintroduced her products online and in stores, establishing relationships with Kroger, Schnucks, and Costco. Earlier this year, Joye also secured a February appearance on Shark Tank, which built excitement for this eventual rebrand. And Keya Wingfield, founder of Keya’s Snacks, also revitalized her brand this year with new packaging and a reduced price, continuing to propel her tasty chips, which originally gained popularity for their unique flavors inspired by Keya’s native India. (Richmond magazine)
Sweet treats incoming: Scharolina’s Custom Cakes & Confections is set to open its first brick-and-mortar location in Manchester, filling out the former Hot Diggity Donuts space. The biz specializes in custom cakes starting at $150 for occasions like weddings and birthdays, and owner Scharolyn Hall emphasizes both aesthetic appeal *and* flavor, aiming to counter the trend of cute-but-bland cakes. Look for the spot to open in early June, serving as both the headquarters for Scharolina’s custom orders and a retail space offering cake slices, cupcakes, cookies, pies, and other confections. Future plans also include a full espresso bar, fresh lemonade, mocktails, and savory brunch baked items on weekends, with ops running seven days a week. (Richmond BizSense)
Where to go for an intimate dining experience: Chef Jessica Wilson is set to open her new restaurant, Grace, emphasizing fresh, seasonal, and sustainable cuisine. You might recognize her offerings from her pop-up dinners at The Broken Tulip or her stall at Hatch Local Food Hall, serving dishes like soft-boiled eggs with horseradish brown butter and the Ploughman Plate with fresh-baked bread and house-made butter. The new Patterson Ave location looks to provide an intimate dining experience with a focus on garden-to-table offerings and minimal waste, which Chef Jessica plans to highlight through the spot’s outdoor seating and on-site garden. She’s also working to open another location of Grace in Church Hill, as well. (Richmond BizSense)
Where Midlothians can get their pumpkin-spice fix later this year: Foxtail Coffee Co. will open its second Richmond-area location in Midlo this fall. The new 1,800-square-foot café will be situated near Supper Club within The Promenade at Winterfield. Look for a menu of espresso and cold-brew coffee, as well as teas, baked goods, and breakfast sandwiches when you’re south of the James, or, in the meantime, check out Foxtail’s other Richmond-area location in Glen Allen. (Richmond BizSense)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🐿️John Oliver loves the Richmond Flying Squirrels. (Instagram)
💐This Saturday, May 10, from noon to 6 pm, Sun & Selene is hosting a Sip & Shop to celebrate Mother’s Day weekend, featuring mini bouquets available with every in-studio purchase. (Sun & Selene)
Image Source: Little Wish Toys
Weekly Giveaway
Little Wish Toys
With shelves of fun and educational goodies meant to help little ones develop into the people they want to be, Little Wish Toys strives to be a safe space that inspires children and their imaginations. Check out the cutie toy store in Jackson Ward the next time you’re on the hunt for something special for the kiddo(s) in your life.
This week, we’re teaming up with Little Wish Toys to give away a gift bag of fun things, including conversation cards, a magnetic fidget slider, a gift card, and more!
To enter, tell us: In what year was Mother’s Day designated an official holiday?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Philip S., for winning the Grit Coffee giveaway!
Image Source: Monday Morning Press
Member Perks
Monday Morning Press
ICYMI last week, Monday Morning Press reached out to offer us a discount code to share with you. The ~extremely cute~ handmade paper jewelry would make a perf Mother’s Day gift from you to the mom(s) in your life — or from you to you, honestly.
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 20% off your order! Just use code RVAX20 at checkout.
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SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 22 new members this week: Fiona W., Taryn W., Lisa F., Carrie B., Rachel S., Brenna S., Sarah S., Jen G., Karlie C., Lauren H., Fireside Pizza, Joan A., Sarah S., Emma B., Makiesa S., Elizabeth D., Daniel M., Kenya S., Laura G., Grace P., Darren W., and John H., 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 355 of The Weekly Insider.
Byeee!
- The Richmond Experience
Thank you to Richmond Performing Arts Alliance for powering this edition of The Weekly Insider from The Richmond Experience!
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