Richmond to Louisville: How a Community Exposed One Man’s Secret

by | Sep 7, 2023 | COMMUNITY, COMMUNITY NEWS, FASHION, SMALL BUSINESS

Drew Spruill was the owner of Yesterday’s Heroes vintage clothing store in Richmond’s Fan district. The store abruptly closed in 2018 after sexual assault allegations towards Spruill. Spruill left the Richmond area although no criminal charges were ever filed against him.

Drew Spruill of Yesterday's Heroes story 2023

Five years later a community in Louisville made the connection that an individual named Alec Smith was the same Drew Spruill from Richmond. A Facebook post about Spruill revealed that after he left Richmond in disgrace after he changed his name.

Drew Spruill of Yesterday's Heroes story 2023

Spruill had sat on the Board of Directors for the Falls City Community BikeWorks in Louisville until recently when they discovered his past and was removed from the board the next day. They released a statement in August saying that their primary goal is always to cultivate a supportive environment that fosters education and healthy interactions.

Drew Spruill of Yesterday's Heroes story 2023

Jefferey Vance from Bike Cruise Brews spoke about how much of a shock it was to discover Spruill had choose to keep these allegations private noting that none of the women who dated since moving to the Louisville area are accusing him of sexual assault. Noting that Spruill was not acting as person who was trying to right his past actions.

Vance also runs an online chat group on Discord for cyclists in the Louisville area. When members of the chat discovered that Spruill moved from Richmond and started going by a different name, Spruill was removed from the group.

We attempted to contact Spruill but have not received a response.

Goad Gatsby

Goad Gatsby

A journalist from Richmond and contributor on Open Source RVA on WRIR 97.3FM.




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