Ed 385: NYE Plans, Sticker Vending Machine, Volunteer Opps
Powered by Brambly Park — if you’re looking for a throwback New Year’s Eve party, your night will be all that and a bag of chips here. Snag tix to Brambly’s fifth annual ‘90s-inspired shindig, featuring a cover band, costume contest, raffles, a balloon drop, and lots more.
Hiii!
So, this snow’s been something, huh?? I wasn’t prepared with a fully stocked pantry of cocoa and marshmallows, so I’ve been keeping warm by mixing my Diet Coke with Crescent Simples Lime Jalapeño Simple Syrup. It’s delish, thank you very much, but I’m gonna have to call in Miss Swiss Miss ASAP if Miss Mother Nature’s going to continue with this early blizzard trend. I guess either way, I’ve got a cup of cheer, so what’s the problem, really, you know? But seriously, the Diet Coke/jalapeño thing — try it. Dua Lipa knows what’s what when it comes to a banger.
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including wild animals, a revamped wine shop, Santa pics, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Cloudy; high of 46°, low of 31°
Thursday: Sunny; high of 41°, low of 28°
Friday: Cloudy; high of 38°, low of 25°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 9 pm: THE BRANCH 2025 HOLIDAY PARTY
Thursday, 1 - 6 pm: OPERATION SILENT NIGHT
Friday, 6:30 - 8:15 pm: LASER SHOW: LADY GAGA
CITY GUIDES
1. THE TRENDSPOTTER: DECEMBER 2025
Image Source: Woz Here Co
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Woz Here Co: This small, women-owned business, founded by sisters Sara (the Richmonder!) and Louanne Woznicki, grew from their shared love of travel. The talented girlies create and sell hand-drawn, destination-themed souvenirs — think stickers, magnets, mugs, coasters, ornaments, and tote bags — all designed to help people keep travel memories alive without lugging fragile keepsakes around. And to boot, Woz Here Co recently launched a sticker vending machine that folks can rent (stocked with custom stickers) for events. Your holiday party/wedding/what-have-you just got even cuter.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: The Granite Grille
Image Source: The Purrfect Bean
Image Source: Richmond Animal League
Image Source: The Santa Spot
SOCIAL NEWS
We thought the drunk raccoon was the worst of it, but there was another animal crash-out in the Richmond area last week. ICYMI, The Purrfect Bean is closing for the remainder of the year after a bizarre accident caused flooding throughout the building. According to the newly opened cat café, the incident involved a cat named Roller, a towel, and a sink, resulting in water overflowing from the upstairs cat lounge into the main coffee shop area. Despite the chaos, the co emphasized that all the resident cats are safe, with some lounging on furniture and others even splashing in the water at the time. To support staff suddenly out of work and cover repair costs, The Purrfect Bean organized a fundraising event at Byrd Park, launched a GoFundMe campaign, and is selling a cutie Roller Tee. (The Richmonder)
That ^ said, we oughta remember to give a little extra TLC to our furry friends this holiday season (and beyond). The Richmond Animal League’s Paws In Action program offers a free, self-paced volunteer opp for our area’s kids. Participants — whether individuals, families, school groups, or scout troops — can download a Paws In Action Handbook which guides them through a variety of animal-oriented tasks and community projects like making handmade toys or treats for shelter pets, doing kind acts, holding neighborhood donation drives or bake-sales, reading to dogs or cats, cleaning public parks or pet areas, and more. As they complete tasks, kiddos track their progress; when they return their completed tracker to RAL, they receive a small plush cat or dog as a thank-you (and can also earn volunteer hours for school). The program’s goals are to foster compassion and advocacy for shelter animals; give youth hands-on experience with adoption and shelter work; and build a connection between young people, their communities, and animal welfare. The current cycle runs until the end of May. (Press Release)
Oxford Cellars is reopening as Sip Societe next week, on December 19, in a new location near Willow Lawn. New owner Chantel Crocker has rebranded the shop as a more boutique, carefully-curated wine and gourmet goods store, and the 900-square-foot space will offer a smaller but more thoughtfully selected wine inventory along with merch, prepackaged foods, pasta, crackers, meats, and cheeses. Beer will still be available, though in reduced variety. (Richmond BizSense)
As ~we the people~ approach the country’s 250th birthday next year, the South is rolling out a slate of celebrations under America 250. In Virginia, Sail250 will see an international fleet of tall ships and military vessels dock in ports across the state — including Richmond — offering tours, live music, maritime festivals, reenactments, and family-friendly activities. And, of course, the exhibition Give Me Liberty: Virginia & the Forging of a Nation at Virginia Museum of History & Culture (which runs through January 4) will be followed by additional exhibitions in spring and summer 2026, exploring Virginia’s central role in US democracy and highlighting immigrant stories and cultural roots. (AFAR)
Don’t forget! The Santa Spot has found a new, permanent location at Gayton Crossing Shopping Center, offering family sessions and — new this year! — options for private events and corporate gatherings throughout the holiday season. There’s still some availability for you and yours, but FYI, in years past, things sell out quickly. Designed as an immersive, hour-long alternative to crowded mall visits, the experience brings families into a North Pole-themed setting with hands-on activities like cookie decorating, ornament making, storytime with Santa, and profesh pics with a real-bearded St Nick who spends the full session with guests. Each booking includes two professional portraits and access to a cozy, child-friendly space that welcomes only a limited number of families at a time. In addition to individual sessions, The Santa Spot now books private group events, corporate parties, ladies’ nights, family celebrations, and even Christmas-in-July gatherings. (Press Release)
The folks behind Tazza Kitchen and Conejo recently opened The Granite Grill, and the spot’s lunch and takeout just rolled out last week. The new, swanky spot in Bon Air features warm lighting, mid-century-inspired style, comfortable booths, intimate seating, and work by local artists. The Granite Grill will seat 120 in the main dining room, 18 at the bar, 44 on a covered patio, and 30 in a private dining area. Led by Executive Chef Danny Mena and Culinary Operations Director Ansel Pace, folks can order up American classics such as hand-cut steaks, sustainably sourced grilled fish, roasted chicken and kale salad, hickory-smoked ribs, and eggplant parmesan, along with nostalgic appetizers and scratch-made brioche buns. The bar program is also noteworthy (and droolworthy, for that matter), highlighting classic and contemporary cocktails with dedicated sections for martinis, old fashioneds, margaritas, and spirit-free drinks. (Press Release)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
💅 Style Weekly published its Top 40 Under 40: Class of 2025 roundup. (Style Weekly)
🍚 Japanese snack shop O!nigiri has reopened in a new location at 7801 W Broad St. (Richmond magazine)
Image Source: Sub Rosa Bakery
Weekly Giveaway
Sub Rosa Bakery
We cannottttt wait to be back in line at Sub Rosa’s door, but while the bakery wraps up the last of its finishing touches before reopening in the coming weeks, we’re in the mood to line your wallet with a little bread ourselves.
This week, we’re giving away a $25 gift card to Sub Rosa! It’s the yeast we could do (tee hee).
To enter, tell us: What’s your fave time to get your Weekly Insider reading in?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Elizabeth P., for winning the Henry giveaway!
Image Source: McCormick Hill Farms
Member Perks
McCormick Hill Farms
If you’re hosting for the December holidays and need a beefy spread, McCormick’s got you covered. Choose from a wide selection of premium beef cuts, carefully curated to meet diverse culinary preferences. Every fresh and flavorful order is prepared with meticulous care and delivered right to your door.
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 20% off online orders! Use code RVA20 at checkout.
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SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 9 new members this week: Martha H., Leah L., Sejal S., Mollie V., Martha P., Amy T., Ethan R., Natalie R., and Nik C., 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 385 of The Weekly Insider.
Byeee!
- The Richmond Experience
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