Michael Thompson

Bar owners take shot at changing ’45 percent rule’

McCormack 2 ftd

A group of bar and restaurant owners are putting their weight behind a newly introduced state bill that would lower the requirements for food and nonalcoholic drink sales for establishments that sell liquor.

Cafe chain checks into historic downtown inn

Linden Row 1 ftd

A local cafe and restaurant chain with six locations around the Richmond area is adding another downtown and has signed on to open as part of a string of upgrades for a long-standing Franklin Street inn.

Hundreds vie for jobs at Stone Brewing

Stone Brewing job fair ftd

Stone Brewing held a job fair on Tuesday to fill more than 80 positions at its upcoming brewery, and the event drew some 600 applicants.

Family funeral business digs into Richmond

Affinity Funeral Mullins ftd

A family-run funeral home with four locations around the state has spotted an opening in the Richmond market and has made its move into Henrico County.

Family’s restaurant chain expands to Ashland

Maria Garcia Mexico Restaurant ftd

With six other locations around the Richmond area, a local Mexican restaurant chain added Ashland to the map this month, opening near the Bass Pro Shops-anchored shopping center.

Meadowbrook Shopping Center lures big gym tenant

Dollar General Golds Gym Meadowbrook ftd

A national gym chain will launch its sixth area location in the Chesterfield shopping center, following in the footsteps of recently opened anchor tenant Walmart.

HandCraft building books brewery tenant

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The Scott’s Addition redevelopment property has landed its first lease in a new craft brewery that will take up 17,000 square feet in the unique 1940s building.

Fast Japanese, pizza eateries open their doors

Lucca Enoteca Berry Burk ftd

A pizzeria opened its doors in the downtown Berry Burk building last week, and VCU-area diners have a new food option in a Japanese fast-casual restaurant.

Wawa heads to the Boulevard

Shenandoah Shutters demolition

Despite uncertainty about The Diamond, developers are continuing to revamp the stretch of Boulevard surrounding it, and a new Wawa gas station is the next project in line.

Pet care startup outgrows Lakeside kennel

Happy Camper Preston Cottrell ftd

Shortly after upgrading its outdoor space, a pet day care and boarding kennel is stretching out within its Lakeside facility and doubling its capacity.