Richmond once got called one of the most hipster cities in America, number five in the country, number twenty in the world, apparently. Depending on your disposition, that either made you proud or made you roll your eyes so hard you risked permanent damage. The thing is, it wasn’t wrong.
From 2005 to 2015, this city leaned into an identity it didn’t ask for but somehow wore perfectly: tattoos, thrift shops, coffee, beer, loud music in small rooms, and the kind of community-building you can’t fake. It was, in hindsight, Richmond’s hipster decade. And as much as we like to make fun of it now, they/we made this place what it is.
And before I go any further, this is just my perspective. If you’re good with that, you can read the full piece on our Substack HERE, FREE to all readers.
Support RVA Magazine. Support Independent Media in Richmond.
At a time when media ownership is increasingly concentrated among corporations and the wealthy, RVA Magazine has remained one of Richmond’s few independent voices. Since 2005, the magazine has provided grassroots coverage of the city’s artists, musicians, and communities, documenting the culture that defines Richmond beyond the headlines.
But we can’t do this without you. A small donation, even as little as $2, one-time or recurring, helps us continue to produce honest, local coverage free from outside interference. Every dollar makes a difference. Your support keeps us going and keeps RVA’s creative spirit alive. Thank you for standing with independent media. DONATE HERE.
We’ve got merch HERE
Subscribe to the Substack HERE
And Reddit HERE
And YouTube HERE
