Ed 380: Halloween Plans, European-Inspired Baked Goods, RPL Merch
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Happy Halloweek!
It’s not that I haven’t had my fair share of Reese’s Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Pumpkins since they hit the shelves in early October (JK; *early August, probs), but this month has seemingly lasted a full calendar year *and* five minutes all at once. Agreed?? I’m already making a mental grocery list of what I need for Thanksgiving dinner, and even though I’m assigned the same dish every year (stuffed celery) (I can’t cook), I’m sweatin’ at the break-neck pace of Q4!
Still. Halloween hasn’t come and gone yet, SO let this li’l intro serve as much as a reminder for you as it is for me to soak in these last few days of, arguably, the best month of the year. Enjoy some more Reese’s pumpkins yourself and have lots of (safe!) (I’m a mom!) fun this Friday.
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including North End Juice Co. details, podcast recs, local lore, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Afternoon thunderstorms; high of 56°, low of 54°
Thursday: Morning thunderstorms; high of 66°, low of 46°
Friday: Sunny; high of 64°, low of 43°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 8 pm: RVAX BOOK CLUB: THE ONLY ONE LEFT
Thursday, 5:30 - 8:30 pm: SQUIRREL-O-WEEN
Friday, 7 - 9 pm: 20TH ANNUAL HALLOWEEN PARADE
CITY GUIDES
1. WHERE TO GET YOUR SCARE ON THIS HALLOWEEN
2. 9 WAYS TO CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN IN RICHMOND (WITHOUT THE JUMP SCARE)
Image Source: @kelseyheintzistyping
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Skelē: Our fave spooky, scary skeleton is hanging out on the corner of Roseneath Rd and Kensington Ave, and while we’d suggest driving by to get a look at the scalin’ skull-and-bones any old time, there’s really no time like right now. Plus, without visitors, he’s got no body to love! (Sorry.)
THE LATEST:
Image Source: Bravo Bakeshop
Image Source: Bingo Beer Co
Image Source: Richmond Public Library
Image Source: @birdiesva
SOCIAL NEWS
What’s happening with North End Juice Co.? This time last week, folks found the beloved juice shop closed during regular hours with a letter from employees taped to a window announcing their resignation. The staff cited objections to new ownership, undisclosed criminal history of an employee, and the installation of surveillance cameras without consent. According to general manager Brogan Rogers and her nine-person team, Chase Miller — owner Channing Miller’s brother — had joined the biz in June without notice and was later discovered to be a registered sex offender who had recently been released from prison. After attempts to address the issue with Channing went unanswered and cameras appeared in the store, things got (even more) tense and employees decided to quit immediately. The shop’s Insta page now reads Solidarity Forever and links to a GoFundMe supporting displaced staff, but… neither Channing nor Chase have made public comments. (Richmond magazine)
Your next stop for baked goods is Ashland’s Bravo Bakeshop. After a year and a half of pop-ups and wholesale growth, Bravo Bakeshop has opened its first brick-and-mortar café at 278 N Washington Hwy. Founder (and pastry chef) Liz Dillon trained in culinary school a decade ago and launched Bravo after completing a startup accelerator and winning the 2024 Center Street Pitch Competition. The European-style bakery offers coffee, pastries, quiche, sandwiches, and bread, with seating for 24 guests, but Bravo will also continue to supply baked goods to local businesses with plans to expand into catering, and possibly a second location, following this strong debut. (Richmond BizSense)
Need some recs to add to your podcast rotation? Well, ofc we’re going to suggest you scroll back up and listen to our latest drop of The Chatter 😇, but if you need even more inspo, a Style Weekly staffer recently rounded up three other standout podcasts worth adding to your listening queue. In How to Be Anything, Richmond journalist Emily McCrary interviews people with unusual jobs — like an Arctic doctor, a tower climber, and a sheepdog trainer — uncovering not only the fascinating details of their work but also the deeper, often redemptive meanings behind their careers. The Virginia Press Room, hosted by NPR’s Michael Pope, gathers Virginia journalists to discuss state news and politics with an engaging, conversational tone. And The Pickle Gals, co-hosted by Chrishawn Spackman and Performance Pickleball RVA’s Rachel Rhoney, dives into the sport’s social dynamics and culture through lively discussions with guests ranging from promoters to psychologists. (Style Weekly)
Must-have merch incoming: Richmond Public Library has seen a surge in cardholders, growing from 115,000 in 2023 to 131,128 in 2024, and thus surpassing its annual goal of 1,000 new sign-ups. Outreach manager Jennifer Deuell credits the increase to RPL’s annual Library Card Sign-up Month campaign, which includes outreach through Richmond Public Schools and community events like Touch-a-Truck and the Hull Street Festival, but to further engagement, the lib has also launched merch featuring designs by local illustrator Ash Rudolph, with profits supporting library programs. Director Scott Firestine plans to collaborate with new Richmond artists each year for new swag. (Richmond magazine)
As you may know, Richmond’s enduring vampire legend goes back to the 1925 Church Hill Tunnel collapse. But in case you didn’t know: During the disaster, railroad worker Benjamin F. Mosby was horrifically burned in a boiler explosion and emerged from the wreckage appearing bloodied and disfigured, leading bystanders to mistake him for a monstrous creature that supposedly fled to Hollywood Cemetery’s WW Pool mausoleum. Over time, locals embellished the story, casting Pool as a cursed vampire and his ornate tomb as proof. The legend’s notoriety even led to vandalism so severe that the cemetery reburied the Pools in an unmarked grave to prevent further damage. Today, both the sealed tunnel and the mausoleum remain stops for curious visitors and ghost tours, symbolizing how this eerie blend of history and folklore continues to captivate Richmond’s imagination — during spooky season and beyond. (Style Weekly)
Have you tried Cheat Code(s), yet? Earlier this year, Bingo Beer Co. launched Cheat Code Beverage Co, which offers hemp-derived drinks designed as fun, low-dose alternatives to alcohol. The debut Level Up line includes Grapefruit Paloma and Ginger Mule flavors, each containing 2 mg THC and 5 mg each of CBD and CBG, and there’s potential for a forthcoming Reset line set to feature CBD-infused teas. The bevs are produced at Bingo Beer Co. using Virginia-grown hemp from Pure Shenandoah, with each batch undergoing a two- to three-day carbonation process. Scoop some up at the Scott’s Addition barcade itself, Union Market, and The Broadberry, as well as online at bingobeer.com. (Richmond magazine)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
☕️ICYMI, Lineage is launching its very own coffee shop, and if it’s anything like its retail spot, you can bet on it being swanky af. (Instagram)
🥧Pies & Cakes Bakery is currently taking orders for Thanksgiving pies, including apple, cherry, chocolate bourbon pecan, sweet potato, pumpkin, coconut cream, cranberry ginger snap, and key lime. (Instagram)
🥫We love this: Birdie’s is getting ready to start accepting reservations for its holiday pop-up, but THIS year, the restaurant is hosting the Evergreen Food Drive ahead of time on Wednesday, November 5, from 4 to 7 pm, which will benefit Feed More *and* be the only way to reserve your spot. (Instagram)
Image Source: Sugar & Twine
Weekly Giveaway
Sugar & Twine
Not to spook you, but the holiday season starts next week — in our opinion anyway. If that makes you crave a 20-ounce caffeine boost, let us help.
This week, we’re giving away a $15 gift card to Sugar & Twine! Only 65 more days until January 1.
To enter, tell us: What is the most popular Halloween candy in Virginia?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Megan H., for winning the Little Ghost Co giveaway!
Image Source: VCU Athletics
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SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 16 new members this week: Shannon M., George F., Ema S., Leigh-Ann W., Valyssa V., Emily H., Vanessa T., Beth S., Tigre F., Bianca H., Monica L., Elizabeth H., Kenya B., Lynn K., Annie B., Kayleigh T., and Aleena G., 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 380 of The Weekly Insider.
Have a fang-tastic few days!
- The Richmond Experience
Thank you to Virginia Museum of History & Culture for powering this edition of The Weekly Insider from The Richmond Experience!
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