Ed 394: Lunar New Year, Virginia Wine Expo, Larry David Mural
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Hi there!
Thanks to these spring(ish) temps of late, the ice in my neighborhood has *almost* completely melted. I got out for a fresh-air walkabout this aft (recommend!), and man, if that didn’t make my brain feel as fresh and tingly as my scalp does after I shampoo with a (so far expensive and ineffective!) blend of tea tree, peppermint, and lavender to combat the dry skin that these otherwise non-spring(ish) temps have caused. I hope you, too, got a chance to take in some of the balminess before we head into a few days of rain. Although, that’s a great backdrop for cozying up to slackjaw-watch the Blade Angels skate again later this week. But enough about my plans.
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including a French-inspired bakery, rewards for shopping local, a St. Patrick’s Day pop-up, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Cloudy; high of 66°, low of 47°
Thursday: Showers in the aft; high of 59°, low of 45°
Friday: Showers in the morn; high of 60°, low of 43°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 9 am - 12 pm: RICHMOND TOOLBANK VOLUNTEER OPP
Thursday, 5:30 - 7:30 pm: NATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN READ-IN
Friday, 10 am - 3:30 pm: HISTORY BLOOMS KICKOFF
CITY GUIDES
1. YOUR SPRING 2026 FESTIVAL ROUNDUP
2. THE TRENDSPOTTER: FEBRUARY 2026
3. ACTIONABLE WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR BLACK COMMUNITY, NOW & ALWAYS
Image Source: @ayah.davis
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Ayah Davis-Karim: We’re, of course, in the biz of making recs, but we can’t deny that we love when YOU make recs, too. Our guide to supporting Richmond’s Black-owned businesses is chock-full of our faves, and when we asked you to chime in about yours, you delivered. Now, for example, we know about Chromophore Artspace, which mixed-media artist Ayah founded as a gallery, retail, and event space that amplifies the work of local and regional artists and makers of color.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: Fish Camp
Image Source: @nunarva
Image Source: The Camel
Image Source: @arthurlfranklin via Unsplash
SOCIAL NEWS
Here’s to prosperity and wealth. Sophia Kim, co-founder of the Korean-inspired cocktail pop-up Nuna and beverage director at Alewife, is partnering with Dan Lee, co-owner of The Smoky Mug, for a Lunar New Year collab that blends food, cocktails, and cultural tradition. The celebration included a Korean feast earlier this week, and its part two, happening this Saturday, will feature a night of cocktails, street-food-inspired bites, and dancing. Inspired by Sophia’s Korean upbringing and multigenerational family traditions, Nuna explores identity and heritage by merging nostalgic Korean flavors with contemporary cocktail culture, using ingredients like barley tea, makgeolli, and black sesame. The partnership reflects both her and Dan’s efforts to reconnect with their heritage while fostering community through shared meals, communal drinking rituals, and a welcoming, family-style dining experience. (Richmond magazine)
Let the good times roll. La Bete food truck owners Randy and Christine Boodram have opened Bon Temps, a Creole/Caribbean-inspired brick-and-mortar restaurant in Bon Air, expanding on the following they built after launching the business in 2018. The menu highlights Randy’s Trinidadian roots and global influences, blending Caribbean, Creole, and international flavors in dishes like Cantonese pepper shrimp, pimento cheese and country ham beignets, po’ boys, gumbo, and steak frites, alongside tropical cocktails. He describes the approach as a natural reflection of Trinidad and Tobago’s multicultural culinary heritage rather than fusion. Bon Temps debuted just ahead of Mardi Gras with walk-in service and limited weekend hours as the couple takes their first major step into running a permanent restaurant space. (Style Weekly)
Support your local ________________. The City of Richmond’s Department of Economic Development just launched RVA Open Rewards, a pilot program designed to boost neighborhood businesses and encourage residents to shop local by doing so at participating spots. Hosted on the BluDot Open Rewards app, the free program allows customers to earn automatic rewards on purchases by uploading receipts or linking a card. The pilot includes businesses in Brookland Park, Carytown, Monroe Ward, Jackson Ward, City Center, the Arts District, Manchester, and Shockoe Bottom. To celebrate the launch, the city is hosting Love Shopping Local Week through today, February 18, during which rewards increase from 5% to 6% cash back at participating locations. So if you haven’t already, get in on the fun(d). (City of Richmond)
And support your local media while you’re at it. Last week, Richmond Free Press publisher Jean Patterson Boone announced that the publication is ending this chapter of its existence due to a lack of advertising support, despite more than 30 years of work rooted in truth-telling, debate, and advocacy for underserved voices. She reflected on the paper’s founding by her late husband, Raymond H. Boone, who left a secure position at Howard University in 1992 to launch the work on faith and conviction. Jean thanked loyal readers for sustaining RFP through difficult economic times, and while the future remains uncertain, she left open the possibility of a return and invited readers to stay connected. (Instagram)
Order up. Culver's will open its first Virginia location in Henrico County after S&L Properties Richmond purchased a 5,002-square-foot retail building in White Oak Village near Richmond International Airport. The existing space will be demolished to make way for the new restaurant, which is known for its ButterBurger and frozen custard, plus a menu of burgers, chicken, seafood salad, sandwiches, sides, and desserts. (Henrico Citizen)
Oui oui. Tra My Anderson has plans to (soft) open Le Petit Morceau at the end of this week. The French-inspired bakery and café in Manchester will showcase the pastries she’s been treating Richmonders to since 2022 at the South of the James Farmers Market. Tra My developed her baking style through early family influences, a lifelong passion for the craft, and a formative year living above a bakery in France, and her new bright, minimalist space is designed to feel calm and community-centered while bringing about the everyday boulangerie culture she admired abroad. Look forward to a menu of classic French pastries alongside creative specialties, with breakfast service transitioning into lunch items, and a strong emphasis on seasonal and local ingredients. (Richmond magazine)
Pretty, pretty, pretty good. Following its Grinch design for the holidays, Fanboy is sporting a new mural honoring Larry David, marking the fourth time local artist Brad Bacon has painted the building. Fanboy owner Brandon Pearson commissioned the piece — a minimalist orange mural featuring the comedian’s silhouette and signature glasses — designed to be bold, recognizable, and budget-friendly. The tribute nods to the cultural impact of Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm and adds to Brad’s expansive portfolio, which also includes work for several other local restaurants and venues and the design of the long-running logo for The Camel. (Style Weekly)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
☘️ The folks over at Black Lodge seem to be doing something that will likely make us all feel v lucky this shamrock season. Green Lodge pops up from March 10 to 21. (Instagram)
🏆 The Richmond Seen has launched the inaugural TRS Seen Awards, sponsored by BLK RVA, to celebrate individuals, collectives, and organizations shaping Richmond’s cultural landscape. Nominations are open to the community, while a dedicated committee will review submissions and select winners. (Instagram)
🐠 ICYMI, Paige has a must-try rec for a Lobster BLT. (Instagram)
Image Source: Virginia Farm Bureau and Virginia Wine Expo
Weekly Giveaway
Walk Around Grand Tasting: VIP Early Sunday Special
Virginia's wine world gathers at this marquee celebration held at beautiful Main Street Station, where you can spend an entire afternoon strolling from table to table tasting hundreds of wines from Virginia; Spain; Portugal; Central Coast, California; and other regions; Virginia spirits, ciders and meads; and specialty foods; plus shop artisan products.
This week, we’re teaming up with the folks behind the Virginia Farm Bureau and Virginia Wine Expo to give away two tickets to the Walk Around Grand Tasting: VIP Early Sunday Special! Happening from 12 to 4 pm on Sunday, March 8.
To enter, tell us: What Olympic Winter Games sport has you in a chokehold right now?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Lauren G, for winning the Skip the Small Talk giveaway!
Image Source: Erma Jean
Member Perks
Erma Jean
The April showers seem to be getting a head-start for spring this week, so why can’t you? Erma Jean helps women find outfits they’re excited to wear and offers personalized styling guidance so shoppers leave feeling confident and ready to take on the world — like you def would in that Wren Striped Contrast Skirt Tank Knit Dress pictured.
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 20% off in-store purchases and online orders over $100! Use code RVAX at checkout.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 15 new members this week: Richard W, Michael K, Kerry G, Jamie F, Jamie E, Kayla C, Erick D, Richelle H, Jim S, Caitlin N, Russell M, Logan S, Sarah S, Hunter B, and Hannab M, 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 394 of The Weekly Insider.
Sincerely (lol),
The Richmond Experience
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