Michael Schwartz

Michael Schwartz is the editor of Richmond BizSense, and covers banking, lawsuits, finance, M&A and golf. He can be reached at [email protected] or 804-855-1037.

Out-of-town bank makes pre-deal move in Midlothian

monarch bank and mortgage logo

A pending acquisition isn’t stopping a Chesapeake-based bank from increasing its presence in the Richmond market. Monarch Mortgage, the lending arm of Monarch Bank, last month opened a new Chesterfield office in a leased 4,000-square-foot space in the Shoppes at Westchester, off Watkins Center Parkway and Midlothian Turnpike. It’s one of two Monarch Mortgage offices… Read more »

Hard Hat Happy Hour II: The clock is ticking

hard hat happy hours 1a proof1

BizSense’s Hard Hat Happy Hour: Presented by Sands Anderson is back for its second installment, and this time we’re taking the show to Shockoe Bottom to the site of a former music venue and notorious night club. Join us for a lively evening on Wednesday, June 8, at the former Flood Zone/Have a Nice Day… Read more »

VCU, Sheltering Arms strike deal for future rehab hospital

VCUHS

Two of Richmond’s largest healthcare players are joining forces with a plan to build a new hospital somewhere in the region. VCU Health and Sheltering Arms Hospital on Monday announced an agreement to formally explore the construction of a facility that would provide inpatient rehabilitation care. The plan is in its early stages and the… Read more »

Revamped 13th Street property lures more tenants

JeffDeyerle

A Georgia-based consulting firm has landed in Richmond for its first outpost outside its hometown, joining a local investment banking firm as the newest tenants to signed on in a redeveloped building downtown.

Alfa Romeo dealership in the works on West Broad

alfaromeo1

Fresh off gaining county approval for a large Audi-anchored development in Goochland, Larry Page isn’t letting up on the accelerator. His Page Auto Group, which owns eight local dealerships, has plans to open a new Alfa Romeo showroom on West Broad Street in what will be the first Richmond location for the Italian automaker. Page… Read more »

Struggling riverfront golf club weighed for development, conservation

riversbendsign

There may finally be a light at the end of the fairway for a down-on-its-luck local golf course. Several deals are on the table to salvage and transform parts of River’s Bend Golf Club in Chester, including potentially selling the bulk of its riverfront land to a developer, conserving that land, and revamping the remaining… Read more »

Audi dealership looking for green light in Goochland

audirendering

A local car dealer’s proposed 18-acre development near the Henrico/Goochland county line could get its final approval today. Larry Page, who owns Page Auto Group, is planning a 41,000-square-foot Audi dealership at 12592 Broad Street Road in Goochland County. The location would replace Page’s current Audi showroom in Henrico at 9001 W. Broad St. and… Read more »

Mothers of invention

gofar

Out of the worry of raising children with severe food allergies, Rupa Tak, Lauren Elmakis and Vineeta Shah found opportunity. The trio of local mothers recently launched GoFar Snacks, a brand of nut-free energy bars for children that they’re quickly trying to get on store shelves and online. The idea came after years of having… Read more »

BioRide quenches thirst for brewery tour business

BioRide Jessee Mobley ftd

A local transportation company known for its grease-powered vehicles has cut a deal to try to capitalize on the rise of breweries around the state. BioRide has acquired Virginia Brewery Tours, a two-year-old brand whose founders include Black Hand Coffee Co. owner Clay Gilbert. The deal mostly involves the purchase of the Virginia Brewery Tours… Read more »