Mike Platania

Mike Platania joined BizSense in December 2016. He covers commercial real estate, restaurants and breweries. He graduated from Virginia Tech. Reach him at [email protected] or (804) 554-6872.

Hardywood launches offshoot beer brand

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It all started with a day at the beach. It was 2016, and Hardywood Park Craft Brewery co-founders Eric McKay and Patrick Murtaugh were on weekend trips to different beaches. They each brought with them some cans of beer from their brewery. “I remember I had brought some Great Return (IPA) cans out with me… Read more »

New CEO steps in at Snag

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Months after reducing its local workforce, the company formerly known as Snagajob has made a change at its top office. Peter Harrison, who had been on the job for about five years, has been replaced as CEO of Snag, the recently rebranded hourly job-search website that has about 250 employees in Innsbrook. The new CEO… Read more »

Cutting edge: Axe-throwing trend flies into Henrico

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An edgy activity that’s become popular in larger cities is headed for the Richmond market. G-Force Karts, a local indoor go-cart racing track in eastern Henrico, will open three axe-throwing lanes in its facility next week. It will be the first local venue to tap into the trend of axe-throwing, which has fueled the rise… Read more »

New local distillery: A hobby that ‘kind of got out of hand’

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The business of booze is spilling further into Powhatan County. Three Crosses Distillery is preparing to open at 3835 Old Buckingham Road, where it will make whiskey, rum, moonshine, vodka, rye and bourbon. Distilling is something of a family tradition for Three Crosses owners Michelle and John Davenport. Michelle said her husband’s great-uncle was once… Read more »