Ed 387: Most-Clicked Links, Best-Of Roundups, The New York Times Feature
Happy New Year’s Eve!
One of my favorite parts of this time of year is the various “best of” roundups folks pull together. Richmond magazine refreshed its Restaurant List featuring staff takes on the city’s top restaurants for 2025; Style Weekly curated a look back at some of its best Photos of the Year; and Richmond BizSense compiled its Retail Recap of 2025 highlighting store openings and closings across the Richmond region.
ICYMI, we, too, dabbled in the reason for the season and put our city guide touch on your favorite links around here. We’ve said it before, but we’ll say it a million times more: THANK YOU for your support over the years, and especially this year. Now that Paige and I have spent a full 365+ days at the helm, we’re looking forward to relaxing our shoulders just a bit in the new year as we lean into our roles as business owners while maintaining our roles as good-time girls who bring you the best of the best to eat, drink, see, and do around this beautiful city.
Have a fun and safe time celebrating the start of 2026 — and as your friendly neighborhood editor, don’t forget those apostrophes tonight and tomorrow 😉🥂
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including the only local craft ice company, Richmond’s signature Open sign, a Mama J’s expansion, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Partly cloudy; high of 43°, low of 34°
Thursday: Partly cloudy; high of 41°, low of 34°
Friday: Partly cloudy; high of 48°, low of 28°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 5 - 9 pm: NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER
Thursday, 10 am - 12 pm: 18TH ANNUAL CONE PARADE
Friday, 10 am - 5 pm: USED BOOK SALE
CITY GUIDES
1. RING IN THE NEW YEAR AT THESE PARTIES & EVENTS IN RVA
Image Source: Aquarian Bookshop
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Aquarian Bookshop: One of Richmond’s cutest traditions, the New Year’s Day Cone Parade, kicks off at this other Richmond icon. Visit Aquarian Bookshop for some crystals, candles, ritual tools, jewelry, incense, psychic readings, or some spiritual lit to stack on your TBR pile for 2026.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: Grisette
Image Source: @lafayettetavern
Image Source: Lady Chiller
Image Source: The Richmonder
SOCIAL NEWS
The New York Times recently covered our fair city. Per the pub’s POV, Richmond has undergone a significant transformation over the past few decades, evolving from a rundown, capital closely identified with the Confederacy into a growing, artsy, and livable city with a strong neighborhood culture. Fueled by population growth, an influx of transplants from larger Northeast cities, and redevelopment in areas like Scott’s Addition, RVA now offers a sophisticated dining scene, a robust arts presence anchored by VCU, abundant outdoor recreation along the James, and a diversified economy spanning health care, biotech, manufacturing, and logistics. The removal of Confederate monuments has symbolized a broader reckoning with the city’s past, while relatively affordable housing, varied neighborhoods, and a high quality of life continue to attract new residents seeking urban amenities without big-city costs. (The New York Times)
While there may have been some highs this year, there were certainly some lows. Richmond magazine put out a piece honoring a diverse group of notable Richmonders who died in 2025, celebrating their contributions to the community and beyond. The list includes civil rights leader and former Virginia state senator Henry L. Marsh III, pioneering educator Lucille Brown, and beloved local business owner Beverly Mazursky of Bev’s Homemade Ice Cream. It also remembers George Woltz, co-creator of the iconic “Virginia Is for Lovers” campaign; theater artist Adam Turck; actress and veterinarian Danielle Spencer; LGBTQ+ community advocate Vicky Hester; public servant and educator Jim Holland; influential architecture critic Edwin “Eddie” Slipek Jr.; and museum leader William J. “Bill” Martin, highlighting the varied ways these individuals shaped Richmond’s cultural, social, and civic life.
Sadly, Bill Martin, in particular, passed just a few days ago, and Richmond magazine took the time to offer a standalone, reflective tribute to the longtime director of The Valentine, as well. Bill loved leading historical tours and deeply engaging with sites like Monumental Church. He was Richmond’s foremost curator and storyteller, someone who helped residents confront the city’s tragedies, contradictions, and layered past. Bill also had a significant role in rescuing The Valentine from near collapse in the 1990s and guiding it into a more dynamic, community-centered institution willing to challenge traditional narratives and provoke conversation. (Richmond magazine, Richmond magazine)
Speaking of lows, Richmond BizSense blasted us right back to the start of this year with a recounting of Richmond’s regional water crisis, which began just days into 2025. It became one of the year’s most consequential local government issues after a partial power loss at the city’s aging water treatment plant during a snowstorm triggered cascading equipment failures and a nearly 36-hour outage, followed by days of boil-water advisories. The disruption affected hundreds of thousands of residents and businesses across multiple jurisdictions and industries, led to the resignation of Richmond’s utilities director, and exposed communication breakdowns between the city and surrounding counties. Subsequent after-action reports prompted operational changes, staffing and inspection upgrades, and $5 mil in plant repairs, but also intensified calls for regional collaboration, especially after a later fluoride spike renewed concerns. Throughout the year, joint meetings, state-level involvement, new work groups, and parallel investments by Henrico County highlighted ongoing debates over accountability, infrastructure funding, and long-term water resiliency, with many unresolved questions carrying the fallout into, ahem, the new year. (Richmond BizSense)
This is ~cool~. Lady Chiller, Richmond’s only local craft ice company, was founded by Caitlin Pierce to meet a gap she saw in the city’s growing cocktail scene. After realizing local bars had to source premium ice from distant cities at high cost, Caitlin trained in craft ice production, invested in specialized equipment, and began producing ice locally using filtered James River water and directional freezing techniques that create clear, slow-melting, bubble-free cubes. Lady Chiller hand-cuts large ice blocks into distinctive shapes like spears and cubes, including custom options with flowers or spices suspended inside, and supplies them to several Richmond bars through relationship-driven outreach. Beyond technical precision, Pierce emphasizes hospitality, community connection, and aesthetics, donating a portion of sales to the Richmond Community Legal Fund and framing clear ice as part of a mindful, sensory cocktail experience that encourages presence and appreciation. (Style Weekly)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
👀 Did you know Richmond has a signature Open sign? (The Richmonder)
🍻 Lafayette Tavern — from the Giavos family, who brought Richmond all things Stella’s and much more — is set to open mid-January. (Instagram)
🤤 The folks behind Mama J’s are opening Mama J’s Market at the start of February. (Instagram)
🥩 Grisette is hosting its annual steak frites bonanza from January 26 to 31. (Instagram)
Image Source: Unsplash
Weekly Giveaway
Lafayette Tavern
As you read a min ago, the Giavos family has a new supper-clubish concept in the works, with plans to officially open it mid-January. So, you’re gonna need some funds for your tab. Let us help.
This week, we’re giving away a $25 gift card to Lafayette Tavern! Here’s to new favorite spots in the new year.
To enter, tell us: What are you most excited about for 2026?
Image Source: Triangle Rock Club
Member Perks
Triangle Rock Club
Want to get ahead of the crowded gyms come next month (and probs most of February, too)? Check out Triangle Rock Club for a range of top rope and lead climbing, expansive bouldering terrain, and a full suite of fitness and yoga classes.
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 50% off the Intro to Climbing class and a free two-week club pass! Use code RVAX when you book.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 22 new members this week: Erica C., Jessica C., Heidi E., Chris S., Shelley P., Mark M., MacKenzie N., Jason S., Cristen A., Sophia H., Joyce O., JoAnn A., Kelly N., Brittany R., Tara S., Joshua S., Lauren P., Michael A., Debbi M., Kelley W., Carmen C., and Emily P., 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 387 of The Weekly Insider.
Cheers to a new year! 🥂
- The Richmond Experience
OUR LOCAL PARTNERS
