Meet Soongyi Chung, this week's guest editor! Soongyi is the founder of RVA Girls Who Walk, a popular walking club that brings women in Richmond together to make friends and explore the city. Her goal is to offer a safe space to get in a mental health walk while meeting new people. Soongyi, a proud VCU alum, recently moved back to Richmond after a stint in Atlanta because the River City kept calling her name. When she's not orchestrating RVA Girls Who Walk, you can find her at Tiny House Marketing working as a digital marketing analyst. Look for her leading RVA Girls Who Walk as the crew explores city streets, parks, and green spaces this summer. Take it away, Soongyi ...
Get Outside
The walk from the Pipeline onto the Canal Walk to the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge is the reason I fell in love with Richmond. Having access to the history of Richmond, the river, the view of the skyline and the art in between, you’re able to experience something different in each area but all on one path. I used to walk this every day when I lived downtown – it kept me grounded especially during quarantine. When not walking the Pipeline, and exploring the rocks and sandy beaches along the way, I make my way to VMFA to enjoy hanging out on the lawn. Nothing makes me happier than setting up a picnic and having happy hour with my boyfriend and friends there!
As a Scott’s Addition resident, I’m a regular at En Su Boca and Fighting Fish! Literally everything is delicious at both of these local gems. My favorite dish at En Su Bocais the Chicken Tinga Burrito paired with the Skinny Margarita and of course we always get the chips with salsa and guac – love their super generous portions. At Fighting Fish, my go-to meal is the poke bowl. They have arguably the freshest fish in RVA! And on Fridays, my boyfriend and I have a tradition we like to call "Take-Out Friday" where we pick a new, local restaurant each week to enjoy at our apartment. Some of our recent orders have been fromFire and Hops, The Eatery, and Tulsi. All delicious and should be on every reader's list! And when it comes time for cocktails, The Jasper is my go-to happy hour spot. I’m a creature of habit but this is one place I will try something different every time! I recommend the “Soup” Du Jour (not soup) which is their drink of the day - I haven’t been disappointed yet!
When it comes time to shopping, support Richmond's many local business owners found in every neighborhood around the city. Mod & Soul is a recent favorite that I discovered while scrambling last minute to find a dress for a wedding. This local boutique in Richmond's historic art district has the most convenient online shop and in-store pickup. They have the most gorgeous selection of dresses and accessories, and I can't stop recommending this place to all my friends! And in Carytown, I always head to Mongrel – THE cutest novelty shop in Richmond. I always get my cards and local gifts here for holidays, birthdays, and just for fun!
Get your mental health walk on while making new friends! Walks are hosted every Sunday at 2 PM (sometimes 10 AM). Locations are posted on @rvagirlswhowalk every Wednesday.
Meet this week's guest editor, Justin Black aka Saw Black! Justin is a recording artist and filmmaker based in the River City. He's best known for his indie-folk records released via WarHen Records and his debut film Headwaters Down, an eco-adventure film he co-directed with Dietrich Teschner and Will Gemma. The winner of the 2022 VA Environmental Film Contest, Headwaters Down will be playing at The Byrd Theatre as part of the 2022 Richmond International Film Festival on June 8th. Justin scored the film and operated one of the cameras on the crew’s 13-day, 250-mile paddle from the headwaters of the James to Richmond last May.
Take it away, Justin ...
RVA
Paddlesports
Hey y’all, I’m stoked to share some of my favorite things in my beloved hometown! To get started, let’s go whitewater rafting on the lower James! Book me as your guide through RVA Paddlesports and let’s get splashy! Patrick Griffin started RVA Paddlesports with just a couple of kayaks stored in his Richmond apartment way back in 2014. Now he and his rapid munching, hole punching whitewater certified team run trips through the River City on a colorful rainbow fleet (be it raft, kayak, paddleboard or canoe). Need some gear before you hit the river? Stop by Trail Hut for everything you need for your trip down the river, your next camping trip or for a hike on the Buttermilk Trail. Tell em’ Headwaters Down sent you!
After your day on the river, it's time to eat! Where to go is tough… but if you haven’t stuffed your face with a Cobra Burger then you're missing out on the best smash burger this side of the moon. The founders of Cobra Burger got their start back in 2017 when they hosted their first tasty, backyard pop up in Jackson Ward. Today, the crew cranks out a variety of legendary burgers with a side of Richmond attitude that is unmatched. And don't forget a local beer to pair with your burg. But where to start? There are so many solid breweries in Richmond these days, but The Veil never disappoints. I also love the fact that my taste buds have to figure out whether it’s cotton candy I’m tasting or weed – the hop ingenuity is A++.
Once you've filled your belly and your heart, consider giving a little something back to the James River Association. Since 1976, this local nonprofit has put in the good work for all of us in RIchmond! JRA has been instrumental in restoring our river and making it a safe place to swim, fish and relax on a sunny day. The JRA knows that if you help change the James, the James will change you. To make that possible, JRA invites Richmonders to become a "James Changer" by joining a network of passionate river lovers across the Watershed, from the Alleghany Highlands to the Chesapeake Bay. Donate or simply record your James River Changing Action! And give them a follow on Instagram where you can win tickets to see Headwaters Down at the Richmond International Film Festival by sharing your own story about how the James has impacted your life.
Join us at The Byrd to watch Headwaters Down together (get tickets here), help the team make our next film (with perks like a free t-shirt, your name in the credits, and a guided fishing trip), or go for a walk with us by the river to talk about making you a part of the Headwaters Down crew. CHEERS PARTY PEOPLE!
Meet Kristy Cotter, this week's guest editor of our special Valentine's issue (with perks)! Kristy is the owner and founder of DEAR NEIGHBOR, a specialty women’s boutique in Church Hill. After attending the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, Kristy moved to the River City to pursue a Master's degree in art education at VCU. While teaching, she started a jewelry company that reignited her interest in the fashion industry, leading to the creation of DEAR NEIGHBOR! Over the years, her shop has evolved and today it's focused on apparel, lingerie, and fine jewelry among other exciting goods! You can usually find Kristy playing dress up in the shop or hanging out with her four-year-old son Rune. But today, she's putting on the editor hat for Here Weekly to deliver three tips for your Valentine's weekend ahead!
Take it away, Kristy ...
Homme Pop Up
Let's start with the boys at Homme Essentials – because they're hosting a Valentine's Day pop up and cocktails TODAY from 5 pm to 8 pm! Homme specializes in menswear staples and it's where I buy ALL of my husband's clothes. The dudes are cool and have some of the best men's brands (period), making it a go-to spot to shop in Richmond for sure. They’re right next to Stella’s and Stella’s Market on Lafayette St., so it's also a destination where you can order yourself a stiff drink after doing a little retail therapy! We're joining Homme Essentials for their pop up tonight, so swing by to say hello. Not only can you knock out your shopping, but there will be drinks from Richmond based Cirrus Vodka and delicious Filipino dishes by ATO Sisig & Grill. A million reasons to come out tonight!
Ready for the ultimate local Valentine's giveaway?! Of course you are! Well, that’s good because we’ve teamed up with some AMAZING local shops, restaurants, and businesses to offer OVER $1600 in prizes for one lucky Richmonder! Prizes include $200.00 gift cards to Elsie Frieda, Roan, Palette Home, Na Nin, Lolita's, Montante Aesthetics, and Dear Neighbor. Also, included is one month of unlimited classes at The Bar Method RVA. Do yourself a favor and take a moment to meet each of these local businesses that are soon to become a favorite destination regardless of who wins this ultimate giveaway. We plan to announce the big winner on February 14th via our Instagram stories and DM so head over to @shopdearneighbor for a crack at this sweet giveaway. Here Weekly readers can also find details about our giveaway at each of the participating businesses.
OBVI. This is a VDAY FEATURE, I’d be crazy not to highlight DEAR NEIGHBOR. We’re a sweet little shop in Church Hill, created in my backyard in 2016. We’re right next to Sub Rosa Bakery, across the street from North End Juice Co. (Church Hill) and up the block from Union Market. To say the least, we’re not the only reason to visit Church Hill, but we think so! We specialize in gifts for yourself and your sweetie for Valentine's Day. As a local boutique, we focus on anything that makes a woman feel good. We carry everything from lingerie to activewear, and pretty much everything in between. Swing by this weekend to introduce yourself and drop in at the last minute on Monday for your Valentine's Day needs!
You didn't think we'd end this Valentine's Day issue without flowers, did you? Check out Old Time Feeling by Kelsey Sykes, a local botanic artist and gardener. Her modernist foraged style translates the natural world into momentary works of art. Poet Pamela Johnson Parker perhaps said it best, “An intersection of the pastoral and high art, Sykes’ work is thoughtfully unstudied.” Pre-order your Valentine’s flowers for pick-up at Dear Neighbor on Sunday, February 13th, or at Rosewood Clothing Company's new location at Spacebomb Studios on Monday, February, 14th.
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