Ed 416: Back-to-School Guide, Weed Ordinance, Chesterfield Sushi

Powered by Ashton Creek Vineyard — Sauvignon Rytos, a *fresh vintage*, has just landed, exclusively in the tasting room. Plan your visit here.

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BY KELSEY HEINTZ

Image Source: The Richmond Experience

Hi from the beach!

I’m writing this post-speedy-and-seamless sunless tan sesh at NudeFX, and by the time you’re reading this, I’ll hopefully be eating a turkey sandwich on the sand. I’m taking a quick breather OOO, but have no fear: Your regularly scheduled content is rolling right along. What’s even more exciting? I actually had *you* round out the rest of this intro 😏

Here are all the small businesses you recommended last Wednesday when you entered the Weekly Giveaway. This is quite literally my favorite way to have you enter, and I can’t wait to visit (or revisit!) some of these myself. Without further ado, enjoy another installment of Extremely Mini City Guide: RVAx Members Edition 👇

• Afterglow Coffee

• BBGB

• The Beet Box

• Demi’s

• Enoteca Sogno

• Funktastic Meads

• Furbish Thrift

• Julio’s Bagel Shop

• Katana Sushi

• Little House Green Grocery

• Midlothian Book Exchange

• Morty’s Market & Deli

• Neighbor

• Polpetti

• Pupuseria El Salvadoreno

• Reviresco Coffee Company

• Richmond Comix

• Sidecar Cocktail Lounge

• Smashed RVA

• Stir Crazy Cafe

• Surrounding Counties

• TBT El Gallo

• Top Stitch Mending

• Up All Night Bakery

• Vampire Penguin

• Yella’s Yummies

Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including French onion meatloaf, water parade, US cities on the rise, and more.

PODCAST

WEATHER

Wednesday: Partly cloudy; high of 83°, low of 71°

Thursday: Mostly sunny; high of 82°, low of 67°

Friday: Mostly sunny; high of 84°, low of 68°

HAPPENINGS

Wednesday, 6 - 8 pm: THE FRAGRANCE HAPPY HOUR

Thursday, 5 - 7 pm: EATS & SWEETS AT LIBBIE LAKE

Friday, 7 - 9 pm: BIG GAY GLOW NIGHT

CITY GUIDES

1. YOUR RICHMOND BACK-TO-SCHOOL GUIDE

2. WHERE RICHMOND SINGLES ACTUALLY MEET IN THE CITY

3. NEED SOMETHING GREEN? TRY THESE 10 RICHMOND PLACES FOR A CRISPY & TASTY SALAD

Image Source: The Richmond Experience

RICHMONDER TO KNOW

Ripple: He’s Richmond Public Library’s lovable mascot, who pops up at library events and special celebrations all over town. What’s more, the cutie local celeb brings RPL’s Read with Ripple program straight to local preschools and day cares, helping little ones fall in love with books before they even start school. Want to volunteer this fall? Learn more here!

THE LATEST

Image Source: Rock ‘N Roll Sushi

Image Source: Love’s Public Kitchen

Image Source: Monster Video

Image Source: NASCAR

SOCIAL NEWS

We’re still cheesin’ about this. Richmond drivers put their parallel parking skills to the test at the first-ever Richmond Parallel Parking Challenge last week, hosted by Richmond Raceway, NASCAR, and Vera House. More than 40 participants competed by parking without backup cameras or tech assistance, with most successfully completing the challenge. Organizers hope to bring the community event back next year as a fun way to bring a little positivity to the road. BTW, while we’re chatting cars, NASCAR Weekend returns to Richmond Raceway this August 14 and 15. (WTVR)

One of our favorites is here again this summer. JamPacked is back on Saturday, August 1, with a temporary new home at Kanawha Plaza while Brown's Island undergoes renovations. The craft beverage and music festival will feature headliner Oteil & Friends — led by Dead & Company bassist Oteil Burbridge — along with Big Something, Neighbor, and Richmond's own Sidechick. Gates open at 4 pm, and tickets start at 66 bucks. (Richmond magazine)

Want a fun way to keep the kids active before school starts? The Whole Athlete Combine is coming to Veritas School on Saturday, August 8, giving boys and girls ages 7–14 the chance to learn more about their athletic abilities both on and off the field. Created by former NFL running back Tim Hightower, the experience evaluates everything from physical performance to confidence, resilience, and coachability, letting each participant leave with age-based benchmarks and a personalized action plan. (Hightower Performance Academy)

Spread the Love. Love's Public Kitchen has officially opened in the former Lillie Pearl space in Richmond's Arts District, bringing a more casual, California-inspired comfort food menu from Lindsey Food Group. Expect dishes like jambalaya pasta, avocado egg rolls, and French onion meatloaf, plus cocktails and beer from Blackwell & Brainstorm Brewery. The opening marks Lindsey Food Group's seventh restaurant, with even more concepts — like Lindsey's Sandwich Shop, Coastal Southern Table, and the return of ML Steak — already in the works. (Style Weekly)

It’s high time. Richmond is one step closer to updating its weed ordinance to better protect native plant gardens. The proposed changes would exempt intentional native landscaping from height limits, as long as it shows signs of maintenance (like defined borders or signage) while still requiring plants to stay clear of sidewalks and streets. The City Council's Land Use Committee has already approved the proposal, and it now heads to the full council for a final vote. (The Richmonder)

This summer’s a roller coaster. In case you haven’t been yet, Kings Dominion is in the midst of an expanded entertainment lineup, with new and returning shows running throughout the season. Highlights include the new Ignite the Night drone and fireworks spectacular, the interactive Splash! Water Parade, Cirque Imagine, live bands, roaming performers, and family-friendly Peanuts entertainment. The park says the revamped lineup is based on guest feedback and is designed to make live entertainment a bigger part of every visit. (Richmond Family Magazine)

Consider Richmond one of the country’s and Virginia’s greatest strengths. LinkedIn recently ranked Richmond second on its list of US cities on the rise, recognizing the region as one of the country's fastest-growing metros for jobs and career opps. The report highlights Richmond's growing economy, expanding tech sector, relatively affordable cost of living, and strong hiring in healthcare, higher education, and finance. Richmond was also the only Virginia metro to make LinkedIn's top 25 list. (WRIC)

Please let there be a Runts machine. Richmond has a new spot for movie lovers looking to revisit the golden age of video rentals. Monster Video recently opened in the Arts District, offering a nostalgic collection of VHS tapes, DVDs, Blu-rays, and even VCRs and DVD players. Owner Cody Denzler says the shop is a love letter to the local video stores of the past, with titles spanning everything from comedy and thrillers to family favorites. (WTVR)

This’ll maki you happy. A new sushi spot has rolled into Chesterfield with a rock-and-roll twist. Rock N Roll Sushi recently opened, bringing an American-style sushi menu featuring creative rolls like the British Invasion and Rocked Lobster, plus hibachi dishes and salads. The Florida-based chain’s first Richmond-area location is owned by VCU alums Justin Jones and Chad Ellis, who are already planning to expand with more locations around the region. (Richmond BizSense)

MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK

🤤 Shark Tank-famous Crispy Cones is now open in Carytown, doling out hand-rolled, fresh-dough pastry cones coated in cinnamon sugar, lined with spreads, and filled with gourmet soft-serve ice cream. (Instagram)

🥽 After last Thursday’s fireworks mishap, the Squirrels will shoot postgame firework shows offsite at The Diamond for the foreseeable future, as the team thoroughly reviews operational and safety protocols. (Instagram)

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Image Source: The Cozy Journal

Weekly Giveaway

The Cozy Journal

When you’re looking for the cutesy-est things to check off your kiddos’ supply lists, The Cozy Journal has a thing or two (or dozens) in that department. Find stickers, stamps and ink pads, paints and brushes, pencils and pens, and… lots of reasons to come back and stock up again later.

This week, we’re giving away a 20-pack of retractable gel pens from The Cozy Journal! School 👏 should 👏 be 👏 fun 👏

To enter, tell us: What is the largest planet in our solar system?

Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Liz B, for winning the Fat Rabbit giveaway!

Image Source: Bugle Call Coffee

Member Perks

Bugle Call Coffee

You know what’s not on the official back-to-school list but should be? Coffee. And Bugle Call has just the thing(s).

As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 20% off your first order! Use code RVAX a checkout.

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What’s trending from RVAx
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SAVE THE DATE

Check out The Family Calendar for family-friendly events and happenings!

👋
Hey, new members!

We’d like to welcome 5 new members this week: Stephanie A, Lindsey W, Maureen S, Max M, and Ariel B, 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 416 of The Weekly Insider.

Wish you were here! 🏖️
- The Richmond Experience

Thank you to Ashton Creek Vineyard for powering this edition of The Weekly Insider from The Richmond Experience!

OUR LOCAL PARTNERS

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