Abi’s Books & Brews will have seating for 42, a figure that it’s owner said is a nod to the answer given as the meaning of life in the sci-fi novel “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.”
Retail
Locally based Flagstop Car Wash acquires three locations from rival chain
“It would take a lot for a competitor to come into the Richmond market and gain any market share from us,” said CEO Jamie Nester. “It would be really hard for somebody to catch up to us.”
Richmond-based Evergreen to lay off 100 workers as it ends direct-to-consumer sales
The layoffs follow a reduction in the company’s Plow & Hearth brick-and-mortar store count, which once stood at 26 but has been trimmed to three.
Longtime co-owner takes full ownership of West End wine shop Barrel Thief
Booth Hardy, one of the shop’s first employees, is now the sole owner after purchasing the ownership stakes of its three co-founders.
Southside bike shop Coqui Cyclery reopens after unexplained closure
“I’m just trying to navigate keeping open and keeping everybody happy,” owner Clint Kronenberger said on Friday. “Pretty much everybody that had something here has already picked it up and has been super nice and happy and supportive.”
Powhatan pitmaster adds new butcher shop at expanded restaurant
Jason Crowder has opened The Butcher Shop, a market and butchery next door to his barbecue spot Smok N Pigz, which also just expanded with additional seating.
Distribution giant US Foods to build chef-centric grocery store in Henrico
Chef’Store offers wholesale groceries and kitchen supplies for those in the restaurant industry as well as home cooks. It’s first Richmond-area store will be built from scratch just off Broad Street.
Indoor play-place opens at Stony Point Fashion Park, with toy store and cafe to follow
“The options for indoor play are relatively limited. When you have three or four days of continuous rain, you’re out of things to do,” said Sunshine Play owner Dan Jenkins.
Former Bryant’s Cider building in Shockoe becomes new home to simple syrup maker
Crescent Simples, which offers non-alcoholic syrups for drink mixes, has grown to around 300 wholesale accounts across the country since its founding in 2019.
Longtime consignment shop Baggio makes its return to brick-and-mortar
For owner Norma Santamaria, the new shop replaces her original location at Gayton Crossing, which she shuttered in 2020 after nearly two decades of operation there.