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Using Art to Amplify Voices

Laura Drummond | August 31, 2020

Topics: aimee joyaux, art, black lives matter, community print days studio two three, coronavirus richmond va, for long as such images are needed studio two three, friends of east end, guard n flags, history is illuminating, ica at vcu, Mark Strandquist, nontsikelelo Mutiti, richmond arts and cultural workers coalition, richmond va artists, s23 richmond va, sana masud, Studio 23, Studio Two Three, Untold RVA, VCU’s Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA), Visual Arts center of Richmond

From producing face masks to highlighting local artists during coronavirus and the Black Lives Matter movement, Studio Two Three is uplifting their community as a resource on the ground. 

After celebrating their tenth anniversary late last year, Studio Two Three decided it was time to reevaluate their mission with an eye toward the future. 

“The primary goal has always been to be a space for artists to have access to resources, tools, and community,” said Kate Fowler, Development Director at Studio Two Three. “Our new mission and vision are to make art, and to make change — to use art as a tool for social, personal, and structural change.” 

In the face of unexpected challenges this year, Studio Two Three has been finding new and creative ways to live that mission. As the coronavirus pandemic hit Richmond, their 3,500 square-foot event space, a frequent host to community events, weddings, and workshops, went dark. The organization took a financial hit, but has stayed afloat thanks to faithful studio members and local funding. 

PHOTO: Studio Two Three

“It’s been a scary time,” said Fowler, “but we’ve always been driven by community support, and right now is no different. It’s really our community that stepped forward and made it possible for us to be here… This time has allowed us to be hyper-focused on what is essential to us, and to our community in this moment.” 

At the onset of the pandemic, Studio Two Three became aware that face masks were essential to the community in fighting the spread of COVID-19. With involvement from Virginia Commonwealth University educator and artist Jon-Philip Sheridan, along with the Richmond Arts and Cultural Workers Coalition, they converted their empty event space into a reusable face mask production center. Local businesses and organizations, including U-FAB, The Visual Arts Center of Richmond, Ledbury, and Blanchard’s Coffee, donated fabric and materials. 

From April through June, more than 100 volunteers came in five days a week to sew reusable face masks, which were then distributed to essential workers around Richmond. All told, they produced 10,000 masks for medical staff, home and public health care workers, behavioral health workers, bus drivers, and others working with homeless and at-risk individuals. 

“We physically had the space, and we have a ton of artists on staff and in our community of studio members who know how to sew and make stuff with their hands,” Fowler said. “It was a logical conclusion to employ that unique skillset to do something useful, and pragmatic, in this moment.” 

PHOTO: Studio Two Three

While their studio space remained closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, Studio Two Three partnered with the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU (ICA) to offer five artists micro-residencies and exhibitions. This project, called For as Long as Such Images are Needed, provided five artists — Sana Masud, Aimee Joyaux, Mark Strandquist, Guard n Flags, and Nontsikelelo Mutiti — the platform to respond to current events. 

“We don’t just want Studio Two Three ideas out in the world,” Fowler said. “There are people who wanted to make something responsive to this moment, and we wanted to make sure that they had the tools to do it.” 

Studio Two Three contributed socially distant space and resources for screen printing, letterpress, risography, monoprint, and black-and-white darkroom photography. The ICA then exhibited the work in the windows of their building in downtown Richmond. “One of our fundamental guiding beliefs is that artists have a unique capacity to support and contribute to their community, and to democracy,” Fowler said. 

The studio space has since reopened to its members. “A lot of people who are here run businesses on our equipment. We wanted to get the doors back open to people who are building their livelihoods here,” said Fowler.

Studio Two Three also resumed offering classes in screen printing, linoleum printing, sewing, risography, and more. “It’s been really positive,” Fowler said. “It feels like a healthy place where people can step out and leave their homes, be safe, be creative, and take care of their mental health.”

PHOTO: Studio Two Three

In addition to opening its doors to visitors, Studio Two Three has made an effort to get more involved in the community, particularly in terms of the anti-racism activism happening in Richmond. “As an organization, we’re not neutral,” Fowler said. “The people who work in this organization, and are on the board of this organization, deeply believe in the movement for Black lives, and to defend Black lives.” 

When History Is Illuminating contacted them about a project involving plaques and zines, Studio Two Three jumped at the chance to collaborate. History Is Illuminating is an anonymous group of historians dedicated to educating people on the history of the Monument Avenue statues, as well as that of important Black figures in Richmond. Speaking on why they selected Studio Two Three as a collaborator, an anonymous History Is Illuminating representative said, “Studio Two Three is a seal of approval. It’s a sign-off that there’s integrity and positivity behind a project — that it’s worth paying attention to.” 

History Is Illuminating installed recontextualization signs along Monument Avenue, while Studio Two Three produced and disseminated zines corresponding to the signs. “Studio Two Three has been involved in every step of the process. I don’t know if this project would have happened without them,” said the representative. The City of Richmond recently removed the signs, but the zines can still be acquired for free from the Studio Two Three website. 

“Even when the signs are gone, what’s most important to us is that we still have zines going up across the city that are accessible for people to pick up,” Fowler said. 

PHOTO: Studio Two Three

The project has led to other collaborations for Studio Two Three, focusing on anti-racism efforts and education. “The History Is Illuminating project has really opened the door for us to better understand the public history work that’s being done in Richmond. It has led to some powerful partnerships for us,” Fowler said. “What we’re committed to now is both seeing that history continue to be spread, and to invest in resources and projects like Untold RVA or Friends of East End, who are doing work that will be around for a long time in different parts of the city, other than just Monument Avenue.” 

To that end, Studio Two Three launched Community Print Days, in which they bring their mobile print studio to a location in the city and offer the opportunity for people to print t-shirts, banners, and other items with designs and messaging that support activism. So far, they’ve been to Marcus-David Peters Circle and Chimborazo Park, with plans to widen their reach. 

“We’re trying to reflect back what’s happening on the ground by collaborating more responsibly with artists, and using our own hands in the process,” Fowler said. “We are going into other parts of the city very intentionally, and not for profit. We are finding creative ways to take things outside, and to meet people where they’re at in their neighborhoods.” 

One Community Print Days event focused on Friends of East End. The non-profit organization works to restore East End Cemetery, a historic Black burial ground, and to preserve an oral history from the descendants of the individuals buried there. 

PHOTO: Studio Two Three

“The event itself was fabulous,” said Erin Hollaway Palmer, a Friends of East End founding member. “We’ve been fighting so hard just to continue our work at East End — Enrichmond is blocking our access — that an evening of pure positivity really lifted our spirits and helped remind us why we do what we do. These cemeteries, and these people, matter. Studio Two Three has helped us reach a lot more people, and with precisely the message we want to convey.” 

Studio Two Three has made other efforts to reach broader audiences with their work. As images of ongoing demonstrations and activism came to light, they felt compelled to preserve and publicize them. They collaborated with artists and activists to offer risograph prints for free to the public. 

“The historical root of a community print shop is fast, cheap dissemination of information. We realized that we had underutilized resources, and that was the best way to step forward into the community,” Fowler said. “The commemorative prints are not images created by us, they’re created by photographers and activists who are out there every day documenting what’s happening. We wanted to put them in people’s homes, and let people see what was happening in Richmond. The first image we did, we disseminated over 1,000 prints for free.” Studio Two Three also offers high-quality versions of the prints for sale in their online shop, with funds going back to the original artists. 

In fulfillment of their mission, Studio Two Three plans to continue more events in and of the community moving forward. 

“It’s not only our duty, but our responsibility to reflect, share, and participate in this moment. Looking forward, we know that we’re going to stand up for organizing in Richmond in the long term with anti-racism, but also at other intersections like LGBTQIA or women’s rights,” Fowler said. “I hope that people who are organizing, and who are leading the movement, see us as a resource. I hope that people see the role of artists in an engaged democracy. I hope they see that art and culture have the power to transform societies, and to imagine more equitable societies.” 

Top Photo via Studio Two Three

The Faces of St. Mary’s Hospital

Zoe Hall | July 31, 2020

Topics: art, chris johnson photography richmond va, chris johnson richmond, community, coronavirus richmond va, covid 19, covid richmond va, james river richmond va, photographers richmond va, photography, st marys hospital richmond va

A day in the life of an ER physician: unlike most of us, photographer Chris Johnson knows what goes on behind the scenes in the emergency room. Lately, it’s been a bit… quiet. 

Between the emergency room and his kids, ages 6 and 9, Chris Johnson doesn’t have a lot of free time. That’s what makes photography the perfect side hustle. As an Emergency Medicine Physician at St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond, his shifts can last from 7am to 3pm, from 11pm to 7am, and even from 7am to 7pm. Usually, his spur-of-the-moment photography takes place outside of these hours, but when the pandemic hit, the hospital revealed itself to be a welcome, empty landscape. 

PHOTO: Chris Johnson Photography

“When all this started in March, we had a pretty big decline in overall patient volume that would come through the ER,” Johnson said. “I think a lot of that was because people were scared to come to the ER; they didn’t want to be around sick people. It was very interesting to walk around the hospital. It was just empty, and that’s not how it normally is.” 

Johnson, who studied theater lighting design during his undergrad years, saw potential in the hospital’s gadgets. 

“All of our rooms have an overhead light that you can move around, and it makes for some dramatic lighting,” he said. “I feel really silly about it, because I don’t think I’m a very vain person.” 

Johnson is a nice guy. He has a round, gentle voice. He is humble — excessively so — and genuine. He believes in what is right, and is annoyed when people don’t do the right thing. His portraits have an ominous, almost medieval darkness that paints mask-wearers in a new light. They are to be taken seriously. 

“It’s not a political issue. It’s a safety issue,” he said. “And it’s a safety issue for other people… you’re not doing it for yourself, you’re doing it for other people. So the fact that people don’t want to do that is very confusing to me.” 

PHOTO: Chris Johnson Photography

St. Mary’s is fully stocked with masks, but Johnson still hears about hospitals in the country that are facing shortages. “It’s July,” he said. “We’ve known about this since January, and it seems like someone — I don’t know who that someone is, whether that’s the federal government, state government, whoever — someone should have prioritized, ‘What are we going to do to make as many masks as possible?’” 

He continued, “The fact that we are, A: short on testing, and B: [testing] is not even standardized… it makes it hard to contain this thing when you can’t even accurately detect it. But now in [Virginia], we’re in Phase Three, and as people have become more comfortable, they’re starting to go back out. People have started to come to the ER more now.” 

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, Johnson and his colleagues have worked around the clock to stay on top of the most relevant data surrounding treatment, diagnosis, and protocols for how to adequately care for patients (and each other). Their meetings happen virtually now, which has also been an adjustment. 

“I think initially there was a lot of anxiety, at least amongst the people that I work with, because people didn’t know what to expect. There’s so much unknown, because it’s not something that anyone’s ever dealt with before,” Johnson said. “Now we know more, and we are lucky to work in a health system that has adequate supplies and backs us up. Everyone works together as a team. The anxiety level is still there, but it’s less than it was when all this started up.” 

PHOTO: Chris Johnson Photography

The hospital staff featured in Johnson’s photos, smiling beneath their masks and protective equipment, don’t seem too frazzled. What’s more surprising is the sheer number of them. 

“If you’ve ever spent any time in a hospital or an emergency department, you would realize that a lot of people have to be there to make everything work,” Johnson said. “A lot of those people were not necessarily being recognized, so that’s what prompted me to post the pictures originally.” 

Johnson couldn’t photograph patients, of course, but he could photograph the people we rarely get to see: nurses and behind-the-scenes workers. He wants these people to be seen.

“I learned photography first, and having actually studied light was very helpful,” Johnson said. “Even though I didn’t study it in the context of photography, light is light. Lighting a scene is very important; in terms of the mood conveyed, or the overall feeling of the photo. You can’t necessarily alter that in nature, but you can use it to your advantage.” 

The photos were spontaneous, prompted only by a quick “Can I take your picture?” The staff happily obliged, likely because Johnson, recently-elected president of his medicine group, knows most of them by name. 

“In the ER, geographically, we are in the same space,” Johnson said. “We get to know each other really well. Certainly, we know the nurses we work with, the secretaries, the people who do environmental services, the people who register the patients — you’re around them all the time.”

PHOTO: Chris Johnson Photography

In addition to his COVID-19 series, Johnson frequents the Lee Monument, Black Lives Matter protests, and the James River at every time of day, from sunrise to sunset. Now that it’s summer, he goes all the time. Johnson isn’t a morning guy, he says, but some scenes are worth it.

“Right now, sunrise is about 6 in the morning,” Johnson said. “If you’re going to get up to watch the colors — which is typically about a half hour before the sun comes up — you’ve got to be up at 4:45 or 5 in the morning. Once you get there, there’s usually no one out, especially on the river. I spend a lot of time on the river; it’s very relaxing, it’s very peaceful. I joked that that’s my quiet time, my time that no one’s going to bother me. It’s worth getting up early to do that.”

Johnson continued, “We’re so lucky to have the James River here. There’s people who don’t know that there are so many points you can access the river from, and the extensive trail system. I’m just showing people, ‘Look at this amazing resource we have! Don’t take it for granted.’” 

Between the hustle and bustle of the ER, Johnson makes a point to find time for photography — and it’s not just for himself. He’s compelled to document everything from the James River to Richmond’s Black Lives Matter protests to ensure all have a chance to see them. 

“There’s a lot of things happening that other people, for whatever reason, can’t witness themselves or can’t be part of,” Johnson said. “I think that’s part of it… to actually see what’s happening is very important, and pictures can be a powerful medium for that.” 

Find more of Johnson’s photography during COVID-19 below, and galleries from Richmond and the James River at his website. 

PHOTO: A small chapel inside St. Mary’s Bon Secours hospital. 

Top Photo by Chris Johnson Photography

Eat Local! The RVA Mag Guide to Supporting Restaurants During COVID-19

RVA Staff | April 1, 2020

Topics: 23rd and main, 3 monkeys, 3rd street diner, adarra, alewife, Ardent craft ales, bamboo, Bandito's, barrel thief wine, Belmont Butchery, belmont pizza, best restaurants richmond va, Black Hand Coffee, Blue Bee Cider, Boogaloo's, Brenner Pass, brunch, Burger Bach, Buskey Cider, buz and neds, can can, capital one cafe, Cary St. Cafe, Casa Del Barco, Citizen, citizen burger bar, Cobra Cabana, coronavirus, coronavirus richmond va, covid 19 richmond va, covid 19 rva, Crossroads, delivery groceries richmond va, delivery grocery richmond va, delivery restaurants richmond va, delivery richmond va, dogtown brewing, Dont Look Back, Dot's Back Inn, dutch and company, Final Gravity, fine creek, fuzzy cactus rva, fw sullivans rva, garden grove, garnetts, Growlers to go, Hardywood, helens richmond va, intermission beer, Ipanema Cafe, Isley, Jack Brown's, jack browns richmond, Joe's Inn, Kabana, L'opossum, Lady N'awlins, laura lees, Lickinghole Creek, little nickel, local restaurants, lulus, lunch and supper, mekong, mellow mushroom, Millie's, Mojo's, New York Deli, otooles, penny lane pub, perch rva, Perly's, Peter Chang's, peter changs richmond, piknik, Pop's Market on Grace, proper pie, rappahannock richmond va, rappahannock rva, restaurants, restaurants richmond va, River City Roll, roosevelt richmond va, Sabai, Secco Wine Bar, sidewalk cafe, social 52 richmond, southbound richmond va, starr hill richmond, stoplight gelato, Strangeways Brewing, sugar shack donuts, sullivans, tazza, The Answer, the daily, The Jasper, the treat shop, Tio Pablo, tje veil, to go restaurants richmond va, Triple Crossing Beer, Union Market, Väsen, where to eat richmond va, wpa bakery, ZZQ

The current situation may be tough on local business, but many restaurants in Richmond are opening up options for delivery and pickup orders to help get past the worst weeks of this pandemic. Here’s how you can help, while scoring delicious eats in the process!

While people are purchasing mass quantities of toilet paper, baby wipes, and frozen chicken, it can be tempting to lock yourself in your house and make meals with what you already have. But when you’re craving your favorite local dishes, restaurants in Richmond have a safe way to bring them to you: with pick-up and delivery, it’s still possible to enjoy the city’s best dining without the worry. Now more than ever, it’s time to support our local businesses however we can. 

We’ve gathered a list of Richmond restaurants that are open for business with new takeout and delivery options during the COVID-19 pandemic. Listings will be updated as more information becomes available. In addition to using these safe avenues to support local business, many locals are also purchasing gift cards to help restaurants through the closures. It’s a great way to show your support now — and still be able to go out to eat when life calms down. Many included have shortened their operating hours, so be sure to order within their updated time frames for pick-up and delivery. 

Check out your favorites here, and if you’re a local restaurant owner, reach out to us at [email protected] to have your spot added below. 

Last Updated 11 AM Tuesday, May 5. No longer being actively updated as of 6/1.

DELIVERY & CARRYOUT OPTIONS AVAILABLE
These establishments — listed in alphabetical order for easy searching — are continuing with, or even adding, carryout and delivery options. Specific details listed with each business.

8 1/2
Church Hill location open (one customer permitted inside at a time). delivery through Quickness. Fan location closed indefinitely.

821 Cafe
To-go orders and delivery available. Open Wednesday- Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday-Sunday 9am-2pm. Menus for ordering options available here.

Ardent Craft Ales 
Curbside pickup and delivery available. 

Assante’s Pizza
Open regular hours (11am-3am) for takeout and delivery.

Barcode
Open regular hours. Takeout available, delivery through Grubhub.

Barrel Thief Wine Shop 
Pickup and delivery both available. 

Beauvine
Everyday 11am – 1am Takeout, Curbside, Delivery. Offering bottle beer, wine, and more. Call 804 -592-5592 to order.

Belmont Pizza 
Pickup and delivery both available. 

Big Herm’s Kitchen
Open Mon-Fri 11am-6pm for takeout and delivery. Order by phone or through Chop Chop, QuicknessRVA, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and EatStreet. Catering orders available. People wishing to support the restaurant can also purchase gift certificates and merch including hoodies, skullcaps, and pajama day shirts.

Bingo Beer Co
Pickup and delivery both available. 12-8pm daily, offering three delivery zones (check them out here) within 12 miles of their location in Scott’s Addition. Order on their website or directly through the link here.

Bryant’s Cider
Open for takeout Fridays 6-8pm, and Saturday-Sunday 3-5pm. Curbside pickup available. Delivery available through website beginning April 1.

Burger Bach Carytown
Open Sunday-Thursday 12-8pm, Friday-Saturday 12-10pm. Delivery from the restaurant directly.

Burger Bach Midlothan, Short Pump, Charlottesville, Durham
12-8pm every day. Curbside carryout, online ordering, and delivery. DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats ordering available.

Buskey Cider 
Open Monday-Friday 3pm-7pm and Saturday-Sunday 12pm-7pm for to-go pickup and free delivery within 15 miles of cidery.

Buz & Ned’s 
Open 11:30am-2:30pm and again 4:30-8pm. Curbside pickup available at West Broad location, pickup from express window at Boulevard location. Delivery available from Grubhub and Postmates.

Cafe Zata
Takeout available, delivery options thru UberEats and Eat Street.

The Camel
Taking orders over the phone for takeout or curbside pickup. Delivery through GrubHub, UberEats, DoorDash and EatStreet. Full menu, growler fill ups, and packaged beer to-go available. New hours are from 3 – 10pm.

Capitol Waffle Shop
Open for takeout and delivery, Monday & Tuesday 9am-2pm, Wednesday through Sunday 9am-8pm.

Carytown Burgers & Fries
Open for takeout and delivery, including beer, at Carytown and Lakeside locations. Order through website.

Casa Del Barco 
Reopening downtown location Friday, March 27 for takeout and delivery. Open 12pm-9pm.

Casa Grande
Locations in Short Pump, on West Broad St near Parham Rd, and on Brook Rd near Virginia Center Commons, are currently open for takeout and delivery from 11am-10pm Mon-Thurs, 11am-11pm Fri-Sat, and 11am-9:30pm Sunday. Takeout orders can be placed through their website. Delivery available through DoorDash.

Casa Italiana
Open daily 11am-8pm for curbside pickup and delivery.

Cobra Cabana 
Pickup and delivery both available. 

Conch Republic Rocketts
Open for takeout from 11:30am-8:30pm, and for delivery from 11:30am-7:30pm. Employee delivery is available if you call the restaurant directly at (804)226-6242, or you can order through Uber Eats.

The Daily 
Open for carryout and delivery. Offering delivery through ChopChopRVA, from both Short Pump and Carytown locations. Hours generally 12-8pm but check Facebook for updates.

Diamond Billiards
Offering curbside delivery of our full menu Tuesday-Saturday from 11:00am-7:00pm. (804) 794-8787

En Su Boca
Open every day noon-midnight for takeout and delivery. Curbside pickup available. Offering bottle beer, wine, and House margarita mix. Call (804)359-0768 to order.

Garnett’s Cafe 
Takeout and delivery only. Order online at website.

The Grapevine
Open regular hours. Takeout and delivery available.

Growlers To Go 
Boulevard location open afternoons, Thursday through Sunday. Short Pump location open afternoons, Tuesday through Sunday. Limited taps available. Offering curbside pickup. Delivery available 3-8pm every day; order through website.

GWARBar
Open for takeout and delivery 11am-10pm. Beer and wine available for pickup.

Helen’s 
Open for takeout and delivery Tuesday-Saturday 5-9pm. Limited menu available, updated weekly. Call (804)358-4370 to order.

Home Sweet Home
Pickup and delivery both available. Call 804-355-9000 to order pickup, and delivery orders can be placed through Uber Eats, GrubHub, DoorDash, and Chop Chop RVA.

Home Team Grill
Fan location: Takeout and delivery available through DoorDash and Grubhub. 12-7pm daily hours.
Twin Hickory location: Takeout with Curbside and delivery through Doordash. 11:30am-8pm daily hours.

India K’Raja
Takeout and delivery available.

Isley Brewing Company 
To-go orders, delivery within 10 miles of brewery. 

Izzy’s Kitchen
Open for pickup from 11am-3pm and 5-7:30pm. Curbside pickup available. Delivery available through Chop Chop RVA.

Julep’s New Southern Cuisine
Opening for takeout and delivery with updated menu starting Tuesday, March 24. Hours will be 11am-5pm Monday-Saturday. Delivery available within 10 mile radius.

La Bamba Mexican Restaurant
To-go orders available including beer. Use parking lot and call to notify staff of your arrival. Delivery available through EatStreet.

Latitude Seafood Co.
Both locations open for carryout and delivery. Stony Point location open from 12-8pm, Westchester Commons from 4-8pm. Delivery available directly or through ChowNow, Grubhub, and Doordash.

Legend Brewing Co.
Open 12-8pm daily with to-go craft beer and food specials. Curbside pickup available, free delivery to Manchester and Forest Hill areas. Menu on website; call (804)232-3446 to order.

Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery 
Open Monday-Friday 2-7pm, Saturday-Sunday 12-7pm. Drive-thru curbside pickup, delivery, and shipping throughout Virginia and some other states (check website for info on shipping out of state).

The Local Eatery And Pub
Open for curbside pickup and delivery 12-7pm seven days a week. Limited menu viewable on facebook page. Call (804)358-1862 to place an order.

Luther Burger
Open for takeout and delivery. Curbside pickup available. Hours and menu subject to change, check Facebook for current info.

Maldini’s
Open regular hours; 11am-10pm Sunday-Thursday, 11am-11pm Friday-Saturday. Curbside takeout, family-style dining options available as well as regular menu. Delivery in-house or through Uber Eats, Doordash, and Slice.

Mama J’s Kitchen
Carryout and delivery available; call or order through website in advance for carryout. Delivery available through Doordash and Postmates.

McCormack’s Whisky Grill
Open daily from 11:30am-9pm for takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery. Limited menu — check Facebook for available options.

Mellow Mushroom 
All local locations open 11am-8pm for takeout and curbside pickup. Delivery orders available online only.

Mojo’s 
Pickup and delivery both available. Employee support fund at GoFundMe.

Nama
Open for carryout and delivery Tuesday-Sunday 4-9pm. Two deals available that donate 15 percent of proceeds to Richmond Animal League.

Piccola Italy
Takeout available strictly from takeout window on Harrison St. side of building. Delivery continues with usual hours and ordering process. Call 804-355-3111 to place all orders until further notice.

PikNik 
Open 3-9pm daily for takeout and delivery. To order, call (804)729-4693.

Pizza Express Westend
Open for curbside pickup and no-contact delivery, Sunday-Thursday 10:30am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 10:30am-11pm.

Postbellum
Open 4pm-9pm Wednesday-Sunday for takeout. Curbside service available. Limited menu available for delivery through Uber Eats and Doordash.

Rappahannock RVA 
Open 12-8pm daily for takeout and delivery. Call (804)545-0565 or order online through Grubhub.

Root Stock Provisions
Open for takeout Thursday-Sunday 8am-2pm. Delivery available through Uber Eats.

Roots Natural Kitchen
Open normal hours, for takeout only. Delivery available through third party delivery apps (Uber Eats, Doordash, Postmates).

SB’s Lakeside Love Shack
Delivery and takeout available.

Sedona Taphouse
Curbside pickup and delivery available. Bottled and canned beer, and wine served at 50% off to residents and businesses within a 5-mile radius of Glen Allen and Midlothian locations. $5 delivery fee. Family Meal Deal with two flat iron steaks, with two sides each and a bottle of wine for under $40. Monday-Thursday and Sunday 11am-8:30pm, Friday and Saturday 11am-10pm.

Soul Taco
Both locations, Jackson Ward and Shockoe Slip, open for takeout. Orders can be placed through their website, or by calling in. Delivery available through Quickness, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Postmates, and Grubhub. Cocktails and meal kits available; check their Instagram or Facebook for current info on types of kits and times available.

Station 2
Open 11am-midnight for takeout and delivery. Parking lot pickup available, delivery available through Uber Eats.

Sticky Rice
Open daily for takeout and delivery 11am-9pm. Curbside pickup available. Delivery available through Quickness.

Strangeways Brewing 
To-go beer orders only. Open 2-7 Monday through Friday, 12-7 Saturday, 2-6 Sunday. Curbside pickup available at both Dabney Rd and Scott’s Addition locations. Dabney Rd location also doing delivery Monday-Saturday. Order before 5pm for deliveries between 5 and 7pm that evening.

Sugar Shack Donuts 
Lombardy St and Parham Rd locations open for takeout and delivery 7am-2pm. Delivery via Grubhub and Uber Eats.

Switch
Wine, beer, and merch only. Open Tuesday-Sunday 1-9pm for takeout. Delivery from 4-9pm.

TGI Fridays
Five local locations accepting orders for takeout and delivery. Hours and ordering info through website.

Toast
Carryout and delivery available. Curbside pickup available by request. Delivery handled through Uber Eats and Grubhub.

Triple Crossing Beer 
Offering to-go and delivery options for beers. 

Union Market 
Dining room and bar temporarily closed, but full menu available to-go. Can be ordered online from UberEats (delivery fees have been waived for independent restaurants), or call in for pick up or for delivery through Quickness RVA. If you’re in the delivery zone for Quickness RVA, they can also deliver items from the market, including essentials, snacks, beer and wine. The market side of the business will remain open for shopping needs. 

Upper Shirley Vineyards
This Charles City-based winery is offering delivery to Richmond Tuesday through Friday, and curbside pickup at the winery from 12-3pm. To order, email [email protected] For directions, check their website.

The Veil 
Open for takeout 1-7pm Monday-Friday and 12-6pm Saturday-Sunday. Delivery available ($40 minimum) by emailing [email protected] Orders placed by 12 noon will receive same day delivery by 6pm; orders after 12 noon will be delivered the next day.

Weezie’s Kitchen
Open for takeout and delivery. Brunch menu available daily, all day. Hours are 12am-10pm daily. Delivery available through Grubhub, Uber Eats, and Doordash.

CARRY-OUT RESTAURANTS
These places are operating mainly on a takeaway basis, some with limited hours and/or menus. If you are making a to-go order, check on order-ahead options — they’re a good time-saver when available. This list is long, so again, they’re in alphabetical order for easy scrollability.

Alewife 
To-go only. 

The Answer Brewpub 
12-5pm Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday. A list of items available for purchase is available on The Answer’s Instagram. 

Baked RVA
This food truck is on the corner of 10th and Leigh streets in front of Barnes & Noble Monday through Friday from 7am-11pm, offering takeout pastries and baked goods.

Barrio Taqueria & Tequila
Limited menu with pick-up only via online ordering. Delivery coming soon. They were closed all last week, so check Facebook for updates on whether they’ve reopened.

Belmont Butchery 
Pickup available. Limit 3 customers inside butchery at a time.

Black Hand Coffee Company 
Open for takeout. Brookland Park location from 7am-1pm, Patterson Ave location 8am-2pm. Offering mobile order pick-up on the Cloosiv app. The instructions for this are on their Instagram: “Simply download the Cloosiv app, enter your info, allow your location to be shared with the app and you’re good to go.” 

Blue Bee Cider 
Curbside pickup available. 

Brenner Pass 
Curbside pickup available. 

Can Can Brasserie 
To-go only options available. 

Center of the Universe Brewing
To-go sales only with adjusted taproom hours. Curbside pickup available, park alongside the front curb and proceed to the front door. Patrons will stay outside, and COTU team will deliver orders to the front. All tips received will benefit the front staff during closures. 10% off all case purchases and a buy $50 worth of COTU gift cards and get $10 free promotion. Growlers can be filled (only with the purchase of a new growler). Kegs are available, ordering via email at [email protected] for availability and pricing. Gift cards are available here.

Chez Foushee
Offering curbside pickup between 4 and 6 pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. Preparing a set amount of food nightly; order by midnight the night before to avoid sellouts.

Chiocca’s
Open for takeout 12-8pm daily.

Commercial Taphouse
Open for takeout orders Friday through Sunday, and on Cinco De Mayo. Orders can be placed by phone beginning at 2pm and picked up at the restaurant between 5 and 8pm. See their Instagram for specific daily details.

Curbside Cafe
Full menu available for takeout 11am-10pm.

Diamond Billiards
Full menu available for curbside pickup Tuesday-Saturday 11am-7pm.

Dot’s Back Inn 
Open for takeout 11am-8pm daily. Limited menu available for curbside pickup.

Dutch and Company 
To-go orders available at website. Back door dogs available every Saturday.

Early Bird Biscuit Co
Takeout available at both locations.

Fallout
Open for takeout with curbside pickup, 6pm-midnight daily. No membership required. Call (804)343-3688 to order.

Final Gravity Brewing Co. 
To-go options available. 

Fine Creek Brewing Company 
To-go beers available for pickup. 

Galaxy Diner
Open for takeout 12-8pm. Working on setting up delivery — check back!

Garden Grove Brewing & Urban Winery 
Curbside pickup available. 

Gelati Celesti
Takeout is available with limited flavors posted on their website. Call order hotline at (804)200-0600 from 11am-8pm to place orders.

Hardywood 
Offering to-go orders of beers 2-7pm Tuesday through Friday, and 11am-4pm Saturday and Sunday. Place orders here.

Intermission Beer Company 
Curbside pickup available. 

Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Bar 
Open 11am-10pm for takeout and delivery only. Curbside pickup available. Order through website.

Joe’s Inn 
Takeout available for curbside pickup only. Call (804)355-2282 to order.

Laura Lee’s 
Open for takeout 12-8pm. Order online through website.

New York Deli 
Open 11am-7pm for takeout. Offering online ordering through the Toast Takeout app, or call 804-358-DELI. For extra support, check out the “New York Deli employee relief fund” on GoFundMe with 100% going directly to the staff, set up by Trent Hazelwood.

North End Juice Co
Open for carryout only. Food industry folks who’ve lost income are offered a 20 percent discount and a free wellness shot.

O’Tooles 
Takeout only at both locations, Forest Hill and Midlothian. 

Oak And Apple
Open for takeout Thursday-Sunday 5-10pm. Curbside pickup available.

Perch RVA
Open 12-8pm. Take-out meals available with wine; order via Toast or by phone at (804)669-3344. Menus will be posted daily. 

Peter Chang
Takeout only. 

Proper Pie 
Takeout only. Limit of 5 customers in store at a time. 

The Red Door Restaurant
Open 11am-5pm Monday-Friday for, as their email to us put it, “to-go and double parking.”

River City Roll 
Open for takeout with curbside pickup 12-7pm daily.

The Roosevelt 
Open for takeout — order online from noon to 8pm at Upserve. Check Facebook for current menu and hours.

Rostov’s Coffee & Tea
Pick-up services from front and back doors, customers can call ahead to order (preferred payment via credit card over the phone when ordering). Walk-up ordering available. Pounds of coffee and bags of tea for sale, no brewed beverages during this time. “Joe-to-Go” available (8 cups of brewed coffee) if ordered when calling ahead, and cold brew concentrate pick-ups are available as well. All pens, credit card terminals, door handles, flat surfaces and more are sterilized regularly.

Sabai 
5pm-10:30pm. Offering take-out services only, curb-side pick-up is also available if preferred. 

Secco Wine Bar 
Online ordering and curbside delivery. “Secco Supper To-Go” includes two appetizers, two share plates, one dessert and one bottle of wine, tax and gratuity for $78.48. Menu and wine list available on Facebook. Offering pickup on cheese/charcuterie boards and will add more a la carte and retail wine options for pickup. 

Sidewalk Cafe
Offering curbside pickup of to-go orders from 11am – 6pm.

Southbound 
Takeout only. 

Social 52 
Takeout only. 

Starr Hill Richmond Beer Hall & Rooftop 
To-go beers available from the brewery. 

Stoplight Gelato and Cafe
Takeout only. 

Superstars Pizza
Open 11am-7pm daily for curbside pickup. Order at this link.

Tazza Kitchen 
Curbside takeout and drive-through pick-ups. 

The Treat Shop 
Curbside takeout available Monday-Saturday 9am – 7pm. All menu items except donuts will be available.

Väsen Brewing Company 
To-go only beer orders; crowler fills available. 

Wooden Spoon Cafe
Open for curbside pickup Monday-Friday 11am-6pm, and during Saturday brunch hours 11am-2pm.

WPA Bakery 
Takeout orders only. 

DIRECT DELIVERY 
These places are doing delivery only, either through particular apps or directly by the staff. We’ll give specifics in the listings (once again, alphabetical to aid in your search), as well as info on hour reductions.

Adarra 
Wine delivery available. Deliveries made Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday afternoons. Email [email protected] to order.

Everyday Gourmet
This local catering company that also offers a weekly meal delivery service called WellFed. During social distancing, they’ll be doing contactless delivery through all of Richmond and their local communities including (but not limited to) Midlothian, Glen Allen, Mechanicsville, Ashland, Chesterfield, Goochland, Manakin Sabot. Low delivery fees (capped at $10 at the furthest distance). Delivering Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Offers bulk, family-sized selections, a breakfast menu, and freezer-friendly meals, along with special meals for the various diets of people in the area.

King Of Pops
King Of Pops are doing deliveries; an employee will bring pops to your door. Order by noon for same day delivery. Orders can be placed at kingofpopsstore.com

CLOSED


The following restaurants have closed their doors — most temporarily, a few permanently. This means total loss of income for these establishments — and all of their employees. Keep in mind that if/when these places return, they are going to need your help in a big way. We will list reopen dates when available.

23rd and Main 
Closed until further notice. 

3 Monkeys 
Closed indefinitely. 

3rd Street Diner 
Closed until further notice.

Bandito’s 
Closed temporarily. 

Bamboo 
Closed until further notice.

Boogaloos 
Closed until further notice.

Brunch 
Closed until further notice.

Capital One Cafe 
All locations closed temporarily. ATMs in vestibules are still open, ATMs located within cafe are closed.

Cary St. Cafe 
Closed until further notice. 

Citizen
Permanently closed.

Citizen Burger Bar 
Not to be confused with Citizen, above. Closed temporarily.

Crossroads RVA 
Closed indefinitely. Donate to Staff Relief Fund at GoFundMe.

Dogtown Brewing 
Closed indefinitely. 

Don’t Look Back 
Both locations temporarily closed.  Support the staff by joining the Don’t Look Back Club, which donates all profits directly to the staff during closures. Perks from DLB Club last an entire year after re-opening, with discounts and special items for all members.

F.W. Sullivan’s 
Closed for the foreseeable future. 

Fuzzy Cactus 
Closed for the foreseeable future. Events and shows cancelled through April.

Ipanema Cafe 
Closed temporarily — “on hiatus” in their words. 

The Jasper 
Closed for the foreseeable future. 

Kabana 
Closed temporarily. 

Lady N’awlins 
Closed temporarily. 

Little Nickel 
Closed temporarily. 

L’Opossum 
Closed indefinitely. Support fund for employees available on GoFundMe.

Lulu’s 
Closed until further notice.  

Lunch & Supper 
Closed temporarily.

Mekong Restaurant 
Closed temporarily. 

Millie’s Diner 
Closed until further notice. 

Penny Lane Pub 
Closed for “at least two weeks.” Check back at the beginning of April for updates.

Perly’s 
Closed temporarily. 

Pop’s Market on Grace 
Closed temporarily. 

Tio Pablo 
Closed until further notice. 

Do you need to update any of these listings, or add one from your restaurant? Email us: [email protected] We will update listings as soon as possible.

COVID-19: What Virginians Need To Know

Zach Armstrong | March 20, 2020

Topics: CDC, center for disease control, community, coronavirus, coronavirus cases china, coronavirus cases europe, coronavirus cases italy, coronavirus cases united states, coronavirus deaths, coronavirus facts, coronavirus richmond va, coronavirus students, coronavirus travel, coronavirus virginia, coronavius america, covid 19, covid 19 cases us, covid 19 richmond va, covid 19 virginia, HEALTH, News, richmond, richmond va coronavirus, virginia, World Health Organization

As the number of cases grows in the Commonwealth, Virginia is taking new precautions to limit the spread. Here are the best resources with live updates on the virus. 

As the COVID-19 virus spreads internationally and disrupts daily life, the world has been in a state of anxiety and panic, not knowing what to believe or how to react.

This article is intended to keep residents of the Richmond area and the Commonwealth of Virginia accurately informed on the facts, and to update readers on how Coronavirus is impacting the world, the nation, and the state. 

RELIABLE SOURCES

Local, state, and federal Health Departments, as well as university medical schools, are providing up-to-date websites for facts and figures pertaining to the current state of the virus.

The Center for Disease Control has opened an entire page dedicated to updates on all aspects of Coronavirus. The site lays out crucial information on several topics: 

  • What the symptoms are 
  • Precautions for residents at higher risk, due to age or medical conditions 
  • How to prepare yourself and your family 
  • An interactive map of the number of cases in each state 
  • Information for healthcare professionals 
  • Resources are for those about to travel, students in school, and for businesses and employers 

The World Health Organization also provides updated information on the status of COVID-19 under their diseases tab, labeled Coronavirus Disease 2019. This site provides videos explaining the virus, a “situation dashboard” visually showing areas with cases, the latest news on the virus, and a link where one can donate to help fight the spread. 

FACTS ABOUT COVID-19

This novel coronavirus, otherwise referred to as COVID-19, is a new infectious disease never before seen in humans before the recent outbreak. It is believed to have spread from food markets in Wuhan, China. Coronaviruses are a family of illnesses affecting both humans and animals, causing respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. SARS and MERS are other well-known coronaviruses.

COVID-19 and the flu are similar in many ways, but also have crucial distinctions: both viruses are transmitted similarly, result in similar symptoms, and can be prevented in similar ways through hand washing and limiting social contact. While antiviral medicines and vaccines are available for the flu, no effective medicine or vaccine is available at this time for COVID-19.

Current infection and death rates can be found updated at The Washington Post (unlike most of the Post’s content, this article is available for free to non-subscribers), and it’s widely speculated that many more are infected than currently reported. This is due to lags in testing, but numbers are expected to grow as more tests become available in the U.S. According to experts, each COVID-19 sufferer infects between two to three others — a rate of infection twice as high as that of the flu. 

COVID-19 is also acutely different from the SARS outbreak in 2003. SARS was a much deadlier disease, but also less infectious. There have also been no SARS cases in 17 years. 

Symptoms of COVID-19 are typically mild for most people, and similar to those of the flu. They include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and other respiratory illness symptoms, as well as loss of appetite and diarrhea. The World Health Organization suggests that people with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.

COVID-19 spreads from person to person when someone with the virus coughs, sneezes, or exhales onto objects and surfaces that another person touches. The virus can also spread if someone inhales droplets that are expelled by other people nearby who are infected. 

Many with COVID-19 only experience mild symptoms. It is believed that a person can have coronavirus anywhere from two to 14 days before they begin to show symptoms of the virus, according to the CDC.

Approximately 80 percent of people who contract the virus do not require serious medical attention. Those most likely to require medical attention include the elderly and those with underlying medical problems like lung disease, heart disease, or diabetes. 

COVID-19 IN VIRGINIA

Total cases reported in Virginia: As of March 19, there are 94 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Virginia, resulting in 19 hospitalizations and two deaths. Current numbers here.

For accurate information on how coronavirus is impacting the Commonwealth, the Virginia Department of Health has provided a resource for COVID-19 in Virginia. This page shows a map, statistics of the number of people tested, and confirmed cases by locality. It also hosts the latest information on what the state health department is doing for businesses, schools, community partners, individuals, and travelers.

The News Center at VCU Health provides updates on how the medical center is monitoring and handling the situation. Other top-level medical schools also give reliable information on the virus, including the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, the Coronavirus Resource Center from Harvard University, and the Coronavirus Information page from the University of California at Berkeley. 

Gov. Northam declared a state of emergency in Virginia on March 12, one day after the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global pandemic. The first case of COVID-19 in Virginia was detected on March 7. 

COVID-19 WORLDWIDE (UPDATED)

Situation reports are released by the World Health Organization daily, and they can be found here to view the most recent information.

Most countries have taken extreme measures to combat the virus, such as quarantines and travel restrictions. All 50 U.S. states have at least one confirmed case of COVID-19.

All foreign nationals from China, Iran, Canada, and most European nations are barred from entering the U.S., along with anyone who visited these countries within the last two weeks. U.S. citizens who return home must come through one of 13 designated airports. 

COVID-19 IN THE U.S. 

The White House has advised people to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people, and to stay at home. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam instituted a ban on gatherings of more than 10 in the Commonwealth, which mainly applies to places like theaters, restaurants, and gyms. Law enforcement personnel have the power to enforce it. New York Gov. Cuomo announced on Monday that gatherings would be limited to 50 in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Non-essential services such as restaurants and theme parks have been closed across the country. 

Most K-12 schools, in addition to colleges and universities, have resorted to online teaching to avoid classrooms gatherings. Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia initially intended to stay open despite the outbreak, until the governor limited gatherings.

Congress and the White House are currently considering coronavirus stimulus packages, which would include anything from cash payments (ranging from $1,000 to $2,000) to Americans to corporate tax cuts intended to boost businesses affected by the outbreak. 

PREVENTION AND PROTECTION 

There are simple steps for people to take in order to reduce their chances of getting COVID-19. Thoroughly washing your hands and keeping them away from your face is the first precaution to take. Hand sanitizer is effective when you’re unable to wash your hands, but should not be the sole means of cleansing. Keeping a distance of at least six feet between yourself and others is recommended as well, in order to prevent breathing in droplets from others sneezing or coughing within spreadable reach of the virus.

Although many people have resorted to wearing disposable surgical masks for protection, these masks are not recommended. They don’t fit tightly, and may allow tiny infected droplets to get into the nose, mouth, or eyes. 

Taking antibiotics (which only protect against bacterial infections, not viral infections like coronavirus) and wearing multiple masks are also ineffective methods to protect yourself from COVID-19. It is still safe to order online packages, because the likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low — and so is the risk of catching the virus from a package that has travelled, and been exposed to different conditions. 

Stay up-to-date with the latest information via the Virginia Department of Health, CDC, and World Health Organization. And stay safe out there, Richmond.

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