Richmond Grid

Richmond Grid Celebrating Richmond's makers, storytellers, and community builders. Our goal is to share stories about people inspired by a purpose beyond themselves.

Grid is a solutions-oriented news platform that celebrates makers, storytellers, and community builders. We are interested in hard work, humility, authenticity, and stewardship. And most of all, people who roll up their sleeves and push Richmond forward. As a certified B Corporation, we produce digital content and a quarterly print publication that features Richmond at its best — from startup owne

rs to creators to civic leaders. We deliver our magazine by bike whenever possible, print on FSC-certified paper, use soy-based ink, and donate a portion of our advertising space to local nonprofits. We hope you enjoy reading about the talented people, small businesses, and community organizations that we feature in Grid as much as we’ve enjoyed getting to know their stories. Each follows a philosophy and set of practices that are building a more just and caring Richmond. And for that we’re grateful.


*Richmond Grid also offers* Online news at www.richmondgrid.com; Email newsletter via its sister publication, Here Weekly, offering weekly tips and ways to explore RVA. Sign up for free at www.hereweekly.co; Locally Made Goods: Grid Supply Co., www.gridsupplyco.com, featuring products made in Richmond by Richmonders, such as cocktail glasses laser etched with murals by local artists, growlers and water bottles featuring the City of Richmond flag, visual works by Richmond illustrators, "Dear Richmond" journals; and Grid Collective: A content house and brand consultancy for socially conscious local businesses with a meaningful story to tell.

Meet The Book Nook, Richmond’s newest mobile bookstore, founded and run by Katie Pullman and built with the help of fami...
01/10/2026

Meet The Book Nook, Richmond’s newest mobile bookstore, founded and run by Katie Pullman and built with the help of family and friends. What started as a dream quickly became a rolling community space designed to bring books into the places Richmonders already gather, like breweries.

You may have spotted popping up around Richmond at brewery events like , where books, beer, and conversation naturally overlap.

Backing the trailer into place may be the hardest part of the job, but once the doors open, the space feels warm, welcoming, and intentionally curated. Inside, you will find a mix of new releases, used favorites, and personal picks from Katie, along with a dedicated Virginia authors section. That includes works by and signed books from Richmond authors like , , and .

The Book Nook also carries gifts from Richmond makers, including custom candles by and illustrated note cards by local artist .claire.

Next up, catch The Book Nook at Jan 11 , Jan 17 , and Feb 7 .

Follow along at .

Did someone say Piñata Party? Count us in! 1708 Gallery, a favorite nonprofit contemporary art space downtown, is hostin...
01/09/2026

Did someone say Piñata Party? Count us in! 1708 Gallery, a favorite nonprofit contemporary art space downtown, is hosting a piñata party tied to its program ALL WEYS ARE CREATED EQUAL tonight from 7–10 p.m. The free, public event will feature music, snacks, and of course, piñatas.

Richmonders are encouraged to bring their own bags and their “best swinging arm” for collecting treats. The gathering also offers a chance to meet the current artists-in-residence, .o_ and .

📍, 319 W Broad St.

Shyndigz () is bringing its made-from-scratch cakes and pies to a round-the-clock format. The longtime favorite along W....
01/08/2026

Shyndigz () is bringing its made-from-scratch cakes and pies to a round-the-clock format. The longtime favorite along W. Cary Street is building Shyndigz 24/7, a refrigerated vending machine paired with 18 refrigerated lockers. The machine will offer slices of cake, pies, and other greatest hits, while the lockers will rotate larger and specialty items like whole desserts, savory options, fresh flowers, goods, and merch, all available any time of day.

Construction is underway, with the new setup designed to make late-night and early-morning dessert runs possible in Richmond.

📍 1912 W Cary Street

A red carpet moment is headed to Richmond as gears up for Undeniable: The Designs of Christian Siriano + Ashley Longsho...
01/07/2026

A red carpet moment is headed to Richmond as gears up for Undeniable: The Designs of Christian Siriano + Ashley Longshore, presented in partnership with . Opening January 17, Undeniable explores how fashion and art shape the way we understand ourselves and the world around us.

The exhibition features a powerful pairing of CFDA designer , one of America’s most celebrated fashion designers, and fine artist . Siriano has dressed many of today’s biggest names while consistently championing diversity and body positivity. Longshore’s work challenges convention and embraces individuality, encouraging viewers to live authentically and unapologetically.

The exhibition includes garments worn by Beyoncé, Halle Berry, Michael Urie, Zendaya, and Céline Dion. Each piece reflects Siriano’s signature blend of craftsmanship and imagination, reinforcing his belief that fashion should welcome people of many identities and expressions. Longshore’s installations transform the second portion of the exhibition into a world of color and energy, with paintings that fill the space from floor to ceiling.

The Branch will also present a curated selection of Siriano’s designs worn by Billy Porter, Oprah, Lady Gaga, and Jane Fonda. The exhibition also includes the dress Siriano designed specifically for Longshore.

The exhibition kicks off with a VIP Cocktail Reception on January 16, offering a first look at the show along with the opportunity to meet Siriano, take a photo, and receive a copy of his book The New Red Carpet.

Undeniable opens to the public on Saturday, Jan 17, beginning with a Members & Mimosas preview from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. General admission begins at noon and is $10 per visitor.

As part of the exhibition’s partnership with , Siriano will also lead an exclusive sketching workshop with students from the VCUarts Department of Fashion Design.

📸

In a message shared with supporters today, Meg Hughes, Acting Director , acknowledged Bill Martin as a steadfast advocat...
01/05/2026

In a message shared with supporters today, Meg Hughes, Acting Director , acknowledged Bill Martin as a steadfast advocate for open, honest dialogue with the community and reaffirmed the Valentine’s continued commitment to that mission. Like so many Richmonders, Hughes shared that the Valentine team is still grappling with the profound loss of Bill’s passing, noting that the outpouring of support from the community has been a source of comfort for staff during this difficult time.

While January will be a quieter month for public programming at the Valentine, Hughes highlighted one important exception. The Life, Liberty & Happiness lecture will take place as planned on Religious Freedom Day, January 16, . This lecture series was a particular favorite of Bill’s, and the Valentine hopes the community will join them in continuing that tradition.

Hughes also shared plans for an open house at the Valentine in honor of Bill on Saturday, February 7. The gathering is intended as an opportunity for the community to come together, share memories, and reflect on Bill’s life and work.

For those wishing to honor Bill in another way, memorial gifts may be made to the Valentine in support of the redesign of the Valentine Garden, a project that deeply mattered to him. Envisioned under Bill’s leadership as part of the Heart of Richmond Campaign, the Garden reflects his belief in the power of shared public space to bring people together. More information about the project and how to give is available through .

It’s Taco Bell Day , happening today for the first time in nine months.TBT El Gallo is known for crafting elevated Mexic...
01/04/2026

It’s Taco Bell Day , happening today for the first time in nine months.

TBT El Gallo is known for crafting elevated Mexican street food interpreted through the perspective of a second-generation immigrant. The Taco Bell Day pop-up has become an occasional event for the restaurant, one the owner says exists largely because of audience response.

“Mostly because y’all seem to love it,” owner Carlos Ordaz-Núñez says of why the pop-up exists.

Ordaz-Núñez explains that Taco Bell was not a meaningful part of his upbringing, nor was it for many Mexicans he knows. Still, he recognizes the role it plays for many Americans.

“So many Americans are first exposed to taqueria and Mexican culture through Taco Bell,” he says. For Ordaz-Núñez, the pop-up serves as a way to meet people where they are while offering a broader perspective.

“This pop-up is important to me because it allows us an opportunity to have fun, educate our clientele, elevate Mexican-American flavors, and expose more people to my perspective of my culture and cooking,” he says.

The idea for TBT El Gallo began when Ordaz-Núñez was a teenager working his first kitchen job, where he became drawn to the intensity and creativity of restaurant life. Over the course of his career, he worked nearly every role in the industry, both front and back of house, with stops in Richmond, Detroit, and Washington, D.C., before returning home.

TBT El Gallo officially began with $850, a grill, a tent, and a few tables at a local farmers market. After a series of pop-ups, Ordaz-Núñez refined his approach to Mexican food. After 92 pop-up events, TBT El Gallo opened its first brick-and-mortar location.

“We haven’t done this pop-up in nine months,” Ordaz-Núñez says. “I honestly don’t know when I’ll feel compelled to do it again.” The event is open today until sellout.

📍2614 W Cary St.
📸

Finding perspective .
01/04/2026

Finding perspective .

As the new year begins, we revisited our hidden mailbox in the James River Park System. Inside were reflections left by ...
01/02/2026

As the new year begins, we revisited our hidden mailbox in the James River Park System. Inside were reflections left by people who paused, listened, and took a moment to leave a message for their community.

- “It’s an amazing thing to see that one simple notebook can bring people
together. Humans are emotional creatures that need love. The more that we can share and spread love the better. As the year begins, I would say how thankful I am for things like this that showcase how love can be so impactful.”

- “I’ve walked this trail so many times in the last 10 years. This walk along the river as I begged for, listened to, the one voice nature can provide. Asked the roots for agility, the trees for guidance, the rocks for stability. I’ve seen it change through the tending of unseen labor, bolstered by the love of this place. Running on connected trails around this river, I’ve found and lost myself over and over. Owls, deer, snakes, ducks. Learned so much about seasons and plants and togetherness here. Bare trees, tender nervous systems, building roots, slow and steady.”

- “Grateful for this empty page hidden in the mailbox to reflect on this grey day. I’m so filled by this mailbox. I know I needed it. Without knowing I needed it. I came here on a much-needed walk for me and my future. I am leaving here feeling lighter, like the birds and river. Trying my best to accept change. My goals right now are simple. To be happy and healthy. I’m thankful for this place.”

- “Open your heart and beautiful things will fill you.”

- “I’ve walked this trail 1,000 times
and never found this mailbox. It pays to pay attention.”

- “As a community, we are celebrating this new beginning while finding
space as we also grieve some hard endings. To us, it is most important to gather in person and in love during all seasons of life. Life is tough. We need each other. Don’t let go of your people.”

- “As an avid hiker of 30-plus years,
I was extremely happy to find the hidden
mailbox. Not many know about it, so it’s
special. As a cancer survivor, my advice
is: never quit, keep going, encourage others, and be less judgmental.”

If this is how 2026 starts, we’re optimistic.Today in Carytown, the Cone Parade took over the streets for Richmond’s ann...
01/01/2026

If this is how 2026 starts, we’re optimistic.

Today in Carytown, the Cone Parade took over the streets for Richmond’s annual celebration of creativity and joy that feels uniquely Richmond. Everyone was invited to step into the street wearing a handmade cone and a healthy sense of humor to participate in .

Cones are believed to focus and bring forth energy. They’re also joyful, absurd, and a reminder not to take ourselves too seriously on the first day of the year.

The group kicked things off in the parking lot, followed by a march through to the Boulevard and back. An impromptu dance party emerged in front of , because of course it did.

Here’s to starting 2026 with joy and a sense of humor.

As the year comes to a close, we are looking down the road ahead. According to reporting from the Associated Press, a gr...
12/31/2025

As the year comes to a close, we are looking down the road ahead. According to reporting from the Associated Press, a group of Buddhist monks on a months-long Walk for Peace (.usa) from Texas to Washington, D.C. is expected to pass through or near the Richmond area in the new year, with some reports suggesting a February timeframe.

Now more than two months into their journey, the monks describe the walk not as a protest, but as a shared practice. They walk to awaken peace within themselves first, and from there allow it to reach families, communities, and those they meet along the way.

Through cold weather and hundreds of miles, the monks have been welcomed with meals, quiet gestures, and moments of joy. Walking alongside them is Aloka (), a rescue dog who once followed monks as a stray in India and went on to walk more than 100 days by their side. Today, he continues the journey across the U.S., recognized by the heart shaped marking on his forehead and known for his gentle presence.

As the monks continue toward Washington, we’ll be watching and sharing updates as their journey moves through Virginia in 2026. May the year ahead be met with peace and awareness.

📸 .usa

Last ride of the year. After a Christmas Eve ride that proved once again how much community matters, is closing out 202...
12/29/2025

Last ride of the year. After a Christmas Eve ride that proved once again how much community matters, is closing out 2025 the way they always do, together on bikes. All are invited.

If you’ve been meaning to join, this is a good one.

🗓️Monday, Dec. 29. Meet at 5:30 p.m. Ride begins at 6 p.m.
📍400 Robinson St.

With deep respect and gratitude, we share the passing of Bill Martin, whose life’s work helped shape how our city unders...
12/28/2025

With deep respect and gratitude, we share the passing of Bill Martin, whose life’s work helped shape how our city understands itself.

For more than 30 years, Bill dedicated himself to The Valentine, helping tell Richmond’s stories with care, integrity, and a deep respect for community.

Our hearts are with the family, friends, and colleagues of Bill Martin as Richmond reflects on his life and the legacy he leaves behind.

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