Ed 366: Vintage Shop, Galapagos Tortoises, French Bistro
Hey!
Every few weeks, I like to ask around on Instagram for some dreamy pics of our dreamy city. That’s how I came across that one ^ this week. Brian Osborne, the photog behind the lens, told us he’s an out-of-towner, but he’s in the area every year for a handful or so of days, leading photography outings. He and his students tag along with Discover the James most mornings to capture pics of eagles, ospreys, and the like, but some of their evenings end up with great shots of the stunning skyline, too. Doesn’t that sunset give off “fall is getting closer” feels? Or… was that just the slight drop in temps earlier this week going to my head? Either way, stellar things happening in the River City, all around.
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including porcupettes, a charming (and nearby!) Main Street, health resource vending machines, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Partly cloudy; high of 88°, low of 67°
Thursday: Partly cloudy; high of 90°, low of 72°
Friday: Mostly sunny; high of 96°, low of 76°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6:35 - 9:30 pm: RICHMOND FLYING SQUIRRELS VS PORTLAND SEA DOGS
Thursday, 5 - 8 pm: FIDOS AFTER 5
Friday, 7 - 11 pm: FOURTH FRIDAY GALLERY5 JAZZ NIGHT
CITY GUIDES
1. 5 BEACHY DESTINATIONS WITHIN 90 MINS OF RICHMOND
Image Source: @rvarestaurantjobs
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
RVA Restaurant Jobs: This growing Instagram account comes to us from a seasoned restaurant industry profesh — Bee! — who’d always wanted a centralized space herself for posting and finding restaurant jobs. Bee has done everything from bartending to leading national marketing campaigns as a restaurant group's marketing director, and after becoming a stay-at-home mom, she created this way of serving in the hospitality industry, too. Know of an opening in the area? Follow, share, and contribute opps to @rvarestaurantjobs and support our local dining community!
THE LATEST:
Image Source: Près des Prés
Image Source: Providence Farms Cidery
Image Source: Maymont
Image Source: Jean + Cook
SOCIAL NEWS
FYI, history-and-movie buffs: Virginia Museum of History & Culture is launching its first live edition of the Movie Mythbusting series with a screening of The Patriot this Friday, July 25. The event aims to challenge the film’s historical inaccuracies, such as the villainous portrayal of Colonel William Tavington — based on real-life British officer Banastre Tarleton — and the fictionalized depiction of the Battle of Yorktown. VMHC gets the entertainment value of historical films, of course, but with this project, it’s asking viewers to approach them critically and separate storytelling from fact. Attendees can look forward to a blend of live commentary and historical context with select film scenes, plus artifacts, like a historically inaccurate French engraving of Yorktown, shown to demo how myths around the Revolutionary War have persisted since the 18th century. (Style Weekly)
If you’re in the market for a sustainability-friendly update to your wardrobe, new vintage shop Jean + Cook just opened in Shockoe Bottom. Originally founded in 2015 as an event planning biz named after owner Edra Coles-Dozier’s grandparents, the 400ish-square-foot storefront offers vintage clothing, jewelry, accessories, and home décor, along with handmade bath products and items from women-owned brands. Jean + Cook is open weekends only for now, as Edra continues full-time work as a social worker, but she plans to host events in the space and expand her offerings in the future. (Richmond BizSense)
Rams do symbolize leadership, so it makes sense that US News & World Report just ranked Virginia Commonwealth University among the top 20% of universities on its 2025–26 Best Global Universities list. The rankings assess academic research and reputation, and VCU tied for spot 411 out of 2,250 institutions across 105 countries. To boot, 17 VCU programs were ranked among the world’s best, with Gastroenterology & Hepatology at number nine and Surgery tied at number 74. Needless to say, the university is psyched, with its medical leaders crediting faculty expertise and innovation *and* given its growing impact in research, education, and global engagement. (VCU News)
In extra-great news: The city has launched a new harm-reduction initiative by installing 24/7 vending machines around town, providing free health resources like naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and hygiene products. The goal is to reduce care barriers, promote health equity, and save lives. Machines are now available at Marshall Plaza and Southside Plaza, with another coming soon to East End Library. (Instagram)
Another silver lining of 2020: Providence Farms Cidery’s roots grew from its humble beginnings as a pandemic hobby for owners John and Allie Beard, who just opened a full-fledged cider space in Chesterfield. Their 24-acre property features a tasting room (with room for local snacks and food trucks) and produces a variety of ciders using fruit sourced from a leased orchard in Winchester, while their own apple, peach, pear, and cherry trees mature. The spot is currently open Friday through Sunday, but the duo plans to expand hours soon; no matter when you visit, look for the particularly popular blackberry cider made with fruit grown onsite. (Richmond BizSense)
Your ticket to turtle meet-and-greets: Metro Richmond Zoo now offers a 30-minute Galapagos tortoise encounter, providing a rare, up-close experience with the world’s largest tortoises. Guests can touch their massive shells, take photos, possibly feed them, and learn about their care and conservation. Juvenile Aldabra tortoises, the second-largest species, are also part of the encounter. (Metro Richmond Zoo)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🚗If you’re looking for a quick trip down the road, Southern Living just dubbed Gordonsville — about an hour from Richmond — a town with “the best little Main Street in Virginia,” filled with boutiques, galleries, and eateries, like The Laurie Holladay Shop, Annie Gould Gallery, Près des Prés, to name only a few. (Southern Living)
😍Two baby North American porcupines, or porcupettes, have moved into the Robins Nature Center a Maymont and will be ready for visitors, starting this Friday, July 25. (Maymont)
♊️From July 31 through August 2, West End Academy of Dance, Arts To All, and St. Catherine’s School is bringing Legally Blonde: The Musical to The Love Jennison Family Theatre. Catch the Broadway-level production with an all-local cast of students and young professionals, and before or after your showing, pop over to Bar West for cocktails and other pink-themed fun to complement your night out. (Press Release, St. Catherine’s School)
Image Source: Salty Paws
Weekly Giveaway
Salty Paws
RVA’s first for-the-dogs ice cream bar and bakery serves lactose-free, dog-friendly ice cream flavored like bacon, cheddar cheese, peanut butter, and then some, and topped with (if your pup so chooses) dehydrated chicken, beef, and then some more. National Dog Day happens next month, but there’s never not a good day to give them a little extra TLC.
This week, we’re giving away a $25 gift card to Salty Paws! We don’t even know your good boy or girl, but we do know he or she def deserves a treat right NOW.
To enter: Send us a pet pic here!
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Jenn W., for winning the Richmond Jazz & Music Festival giveaway!
Image Source: Anna Dobrovolskaia Photography
Member Perks
Anna Dobrovolskaia Photography
Want to get a head-start on your holiday cards? Drop a line with Anna. Her dreamy style captures the magic in the ordinary — in quiet gestures, soft light, and fleeting glances — sure to make your family and friends smile every time they see your pic on the fridge this year.
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 20% off family photo sessions! Just tell her at checkout you’re an RVAx member.
Note: This perk expires at the end of this year; you must book *and* have your session before the end of 2025.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 13 new members this week: Shelia R., Sean T., Rachel A., Amanda R., Macesin S., Federico G., Neil F., Spencer S., Reid B., Barbara B., Sarah H., Justin M., and Leslie D., 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 366 of The Weekly Insider.
Happy trails!
- The Richmond Experience
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