Ed 404: Common House Changes, CArillon Bells, Taco Festival
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Featured Image of the Week: @mlheintz
Hello, there!
My husband shot that pic 👆 and I promptly asked if I could feature it in this week’s newsletter. ICYDK, over the weekend, Little Giant Society held an open call inviting Richmond’s creatives to an immersive public art experience at the proposed site of a future public art park. Wall panels were prepared for folks to dream up public art in real time alongside each other — with a backdrop of live music, food trucks, and DJs, too, ofc. I know we all miss the more flexible access to the Canal Walk, so this was especially heartwarming to see. RVAHub captured some more shots, and I can’t get enough. Murals everywhere, Richmond, please!
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including a new stationery shop, an exciting devel for Intermission Beer Company, chicken at The Beet Box, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Partly cloudy; high of 70°, low of 52°
Thursday: Mostly sunny; high of 69°, low of 46°
Friday: Mostly sunny; high of 68°, low of 49°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 5 - 7 pm: BINGO AT BINGO
Thursday, 5:30 - 8 pm: MUSIC AT MAIN STREET STATION
Friday, 7 - 9 pm: RICHMOND KICKERS VS WESTCHESTER SC
CITY GUIDES
1. RICHMOND’S BEST COFFEE SPOTS — PLUS THE PARKS NEARBY
Image Source: City of Richmond
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
LGBTQ+ Community Survey: City of Richmond launched its first LGBTQ+ Community Survey,which, as they put it, marks “a citywide effort designed to better understand the experiences, needs, and priorities of LGBTQ+ residents and ensure Richmond continues building a community where everyone can thrive.”
THE LATEST
Image Source: Abuelita’s
Image Source: Intermission Beer Company
Image Source: Architecture Richmond
Image Source: The Richmond Experience
SOCIAL NEWS
Rebrand incoming. Common House just announced its plans for a rebrand as it comes under new management. Owners Mercer Street Partners and the Ukrop family are ending both their licensing and management relationship with Common House corporate, though they said the club’s amenities, staff, member services, and private event bookings will continue uninterrupted, as will operations at Birdie’s. Management will shift to Schulte Hospitality Group, which also manages Quirk Hotel. The change comes amid broader uncertainty around the Common House brand, including the recent closure of its original Charlottesville location. While the exact reason for Richmond’s split from Common House corporate was not specified, ownership said the rebrand is intended to support the long-term future of the club. (Richmond BizSense)
We were just wondering. The Carillon Memorial at Byrd Park is expected to complete major renos this summer, marking the return of its bells after eight (quiet) years. The project has included extensive repairs to the 240-foot tower’s 53 bronze bells, steel support structure, roof levels, terrace pavers, restrooms, and HVAC system, with much of the bell restoration completed in 2024. State officials are also working to restore the first-floor galleries as a museum honoring Virginia’s contributions to World War I, with exhibits and educational spaces anticipated by 2028. Originally opened in 1932, the Carillon has undergone several restorations over the years, though this is its most significant update in decades. (Richmond magazine)
In case you’re looking to drool over more of the *good* kind of River City construction, online pub Architecture Richmond documents and explores Richmond’s architecture, urban planning, and landscape design. With more than 300 articles and over 150 profiles of notable places, the site has grown into both an evolving inventory of the city’s built environment and a forum for convos about preservation, development, and Richmond’s future. (Style Weekly)
Signed, Extremely Excited. The Cozy Journal is a new Carytown stationery shop set to open May 1. Owner Tiffany France has a background in graphic design and leaned into a pandemic-era notebook-making hobby before eventually merging both into the biz centered on stationery, journaling, and analog creative tools. Given a growing interest in crafting and hands-on hobbies, Tiffany saw an opening for this type of space. (Richmond BizSense)
Talking wordy. WRIC’s latest All About Books installment focuses on Demetrius Frazier’s Resist Booksellers and his decision to open the bookstore in Petersburg despite skepticism about leaving a corporate career and building a business focused on communities historically underrepresented in publishing. Demetrius has shaped the bookstore around both literacy and community-driven goals while navigating the realities of running a profitable business, and just a reminder Resist is part of the Greater RVA Indie Bookstore Tour. (Instagram, WRIC)
[Applause. Applause. Applause.] Intermission Beer Company was named one of six national finalists for the Samuel Adams Brewing & Business Experienceship, earning recognition for the local brewery on a national stage. Founders Courtney and Justin White plan to travel to New York in June for the Crafting Dreams Beer Bash, where finalists will compete for a mentorship opp that includes hands-on learning with Samuel Adams and collaboration on a specialty brew. (Henrico Citizen)
Nacho average weekend plan. The RVA Taco Festival returns this Sunday, May 3, at Hardywood West Creek from 12 to 6 pm. The event will feature ten food trucks and restaurants from the area, local and live music, and, ofc, delish beer. RVA Taco Festival will also serve as a benefit for Safe Harbor, a local nonprofit supporting survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault, with a suggested $10 donation per adult attendee helping fund counseling and outreach programs that serve both adults and children in the community. (RVA Taco Festival)
Image Source: Book People
Weekly Giveaway
Book People
This little gem has been in Richmond since 1980 and is full of nooks and crannies packed with books of all kinds — fiction, non-fiction, foreign language books, out of print selections, and more.
This week, we’re giving away a $25 gift card to Book People! Happy Independent Bookstore Szn 🥳
To enter, tell us: What book don’t people talk about enough?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Kendall D, for winning Juan More Taco giveaway!
Image Source: Vitality Float Spa
Member Perks
Vitality Float Spa
If you’re in “shop for Mom mode,” might we suggest something that drops cortisol levels significantly, lowers blood pressure, and offers a deep sense of relaxation? As an oasis escape from the demands and strain of everyday life, Vitality Float Spa gives all that and more — just what Mom deserves, if you ask us.
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 20% off float sessions! Just tell them at checkout you’re a member.
What’s trending from RVAx
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SAVE THE DATE
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Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 8 new members this week: Douglas T, Will S, Doug V, Carolyn L, Carolyn S, Tara N, Tory S, and Kimberly 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 404 of The Weekly Insider.
Ta-ta! 🙋♀️
- The Richmond Experience
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