This year’s hot item at Mamie’s Apothecary is magnesium body butter. You’re about to be faced with numerous options for holiday shopping. One that you might want to consider is Richmond’s Small Business Saturday. On Saturday, you can peruse the stores around the city and be presented with a host of options you won’t find on Amazon — or see everyone else carrying. Collin Lofland, manager and buyer for
Mamie’s Apothecary —a wellness shop in Carytown specializing in locally made gifts, like
Maven Theory fragrances and other small batch items made by independent creators — is gearing up for the holiday weekend in Carytown. Lofland said, “We’re not a big retailer who broadcasts crazy deals. But most of the increase in traffic is for Small Business Saturday. More people come to Carytown for that reason. The holidays are our biggest season, and that’s what keeps us going — it definitely brings in the most sales throughout the year.”
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Stores in Carytown are gearing up for the weekend, beginning promotions on social media where you can find out about participation, hours of operation and special deals or discounts on select products. Lofland estimates that holiday shopping makes up half of the shop’s annual sales. “We’re hoping sales are up this year. We’re hoping that the election year doesn’t influence shoppers at all,” Lofland said. “We’re hoping it’ll be a good year with more people supporting local businesses and small businesses. We like to be a part of what most of Carytown’s commerce community does.”
Collin Lofland is seen arranging shelves at Mamie’s Apothecary. In 2023, the reported projected spending in the U.S. from those who shopped at small businesses on Small Business Saturday was around $17 billion, according to the
U.S. Small Business Administration . The shopping day is squeezed between Black Friday, which launches the post-Thanksgiving retail rush, and Cyber Monday. For last year’s holiday season, e-commerce accounted for about
17.1% of all nonadjusted retail sales in the fourth quarter, Commerce Department data shows. As far as the shopping outlook for the holidays this year, Virginians are expected to spend a little more this year. Nationally, inflation is 2.6%, down considerably since last year, according to a
recent holiday shopping report from Roanoke College. Annual wage growth averaged 3.9% in the third quarter. With an improved financial situation from reduced inflation and strong employment, Virginians plan to buy more this holiday season than last, according to the report. The average Virginian plans to spend about $1,100 between gifts for others, experiences, and other non-gift purchases, up by more than $100 from 2023. Most of that spending is expected to be on traditional gifts ($508), followed by experiences ($312) such as entertainment at home and socializing away from home, and non-gift purchases such as holiday decorations ($265), according to the report. An estimated 183.4 million people will shop in U.S. stores and online between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, according to the
National Retail Federation and consumer research firm Prosper Insights & Analytics. This year, products formulated to relax and pamper the body are looking like big sellers at Mamie’s. Lofland said, “The hot item this year is our magnesium butter that we have. It’s made by a brand called Roots and Leaves, and it’s a shea and mango butter topical ($25) for your body to help with sleep, stress, pain and anxiety. The magnesium is the active ingredient and it’s a product with many health benefits, and it’s a mineral that we’re naturally deficient in, that helps with many bodily functions. It’s already our top seller, but I think this Christmas, it’ll definitely fly.”
A display of skincare is seen at Mamie’s Apothecary. Aside from padding your holiday shopping list, Small Business Saturday helps anchor a community or neighborhood by supporting commerce there. Diana McMahon is the vice president of InUnison of Central Virginia, formerly known as the Retail Merchants Association of Richmond. “Local businesses play a vital role in our community — creating jobs, bringing unique character to our neighborhoods and supporting our local economy. As we’ve seen several beloved local businesses recently close their doors, it’s more important than ever to come together to support independent businesses,” she said. “At InUnison, we’re encouraging shoppers to use our
Find Local directory to quickly and easily discover and support local businesses. Every purchase made with a small business helps strengthen the community and ensures these businesses continue to flourish.”
70 Richmond-area restaurants that opened this year
Die By Fry
Die By Fry, a dedicated French fry shop, opened at 111 W. Brookland Park Blvd., from the owner of Slay Burgers. Read the story. Corner Rock Café
Corner Rock Café is now open in Midlothian, serving Black Hand Coffee, Belgian waffles and bagel sandwiches, as well as ice cream and cocktails. It is located at 3734 Winterfield Road, Suite 100. Read the story. B-Side Bakehouse
B-Side Bakehouse is now open at 707 N. Sheppard St. in the Museum District. Read the story. Goldwing
Goldwing cocktail bar is now open from the owners of Fighting Fish at 910 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd. Read the story. Bar-Q
Bar-Q, a craft barbecue joint, is now open in the former SB's Main Street Love Shack at 2600 W. Main St. Read the story. The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is now open at The Shoppes at Belvedere at 11458 Belvedere Vista Lane in Midlothian. Read the story. Secret Squares
Hots & Brats
Hots & Brats is now open at 3111 W. Cary Street in the former Carytown Cupcakes spot. Read the story. The British Embassy
The British Embassy is selling fish & chips in downtown Richmond at 1116 E Main St. Read the story. Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls is now open in Midlothian at 14213 Winterview Pkwy, Ste 105. Read the story. Baltik's Bagels
Baltik’s Bagels is now open in the former Go Bird location at 6801 Forest Hill Ave. Read the story . Southern Kitchen
Southern Kitchen is now open in its new location at Stony Point Fashion Park, 9210 Stony Point Pkwy., Ste. 116. Read the story. 7 Brew
7 Brew, the first franchise from the Arkansas-based company to open in the Richmond area, is now open at 11 Le Gordon Drive, Midlothian. Read the story. Davvero Gelato
Layne Montgomery has opened Davvero Gelato Shop, featuring from-scratch, hand-made gelato, located at 6931 Lakeside Ave. Read the story. CAVA Chesterfield
Cava opened another Richmond-area location last week at 9959 Iron Bridge Road in Chesterfield. This is the sixth Cava in the Richmond area. Read the story. The Mantu Express
The Mantu Express , from Chef Hamidullah Noori of The Mantu , has opened at 11636 W. Broad St., next to Regal Short Pump cinemas. The Mantu Express serves modern Afghan cuisine with Mediterranean influences in a fast-casual setting, as well as pizza, stromboli and calzones. Read the story. Toast Scott's Walk
Toast New American Gastropub is now open in the Scott’s Walk retail/restaurant project across from The Diamond. It is one of the few locally owned restaurants to go into the new retail space, which also has a Raising Cane’s and a Chipotle. Read the story. Sweet P's
Sweet P’s, a New American restaurant, is now open in downtown Richmond at 304 W. Broad St. from chef Antonio Owen. Read the story. Latitude Seafood Co.
Latitude Seafood Co. opened a new location at 14440 Hull Street Road in Chesterfield's Duckridge Landing overlooking the water. Devil's Lettuce Vegan Food Joint
Devil’s Lettuce Vegan Food Joint, is set to open the first week of September in the new location at 9050 W. Broad St. in Henrico. Read the story. Cookie Chris
Zorch Pizza Parlor
Zorch Pizza has opened its second location at 7524 Forest Hill Ave. in the former home of Don’t Look Back South. Read the story. Brecotea Bakery & Café
Brecotea Bakery & Café opened its fourth location in the Richmond area. The latest Brecotea is located at 13628 Hull Street Road in Midlothian. Read the story. Saladworks Frutta Bowl
A combination Saladworks and Frutta Bowl has opened at Duckridge Landing in Chesterfield at 14446 Hull Street Road. Kline's Dairy Bar
Kline’s Dairy Bar, which originally opened in Harrisonburg in 1943, has opened a new location at 15589 Cosby Road in Chesterfield. Read the story. Mudhouse Coffee
Charlottesville's Mudhouse Coffee is opening its first Richmond location downtown at 418 W. Broad St. It soft opens Aug. 5, and fully opens starting Aug. 19. Read the story. Le Box Lunch
Le Box Lunch in Chesterfield is under new ownership and reopened at 300 Arboretum Place in Chesterfield. The new owners are Trey Owens of Soul Taco and JewFro, along with Scootie Logan and Missy Mangrum of The Original Ronnie’s BBQ. Read the story. Il Forno Bar & Grill
Il Forno Bar and Grill serves Italian favorites by chef Giuseppe Giambanco in Ashland at 435 England Street. Read the story. Cochiloco
Cochiloco, an authentic taqueria from guys behind Y Tu Mama, has opened in Scott's Addition at 3340 W. Moore St. Read the story. Kali Love
Kali Love, from the Lindsey Food Group, opens in Chesterfield Towne Center on June 12. Kali Love will offer California cuisine with a mix of Mediterranean, Italian, Asian and Mexican dishes. Read the story. Stock Bistro & Bar
Stock Bistro & Bar, a full restaurant inside the new Txtur furniture store in Manchester, serves up a Nordic-inspired menu at 604 Hull St. Read the story. Taco Bamba
The first Richmond location of Taco Bamba at 1601 Willow Lawn Drive is now open. Read the story. Raising Cane's, Glen Allen
Raising Cane's has opened a location in Glen Allen at 10093 Brook Road. Read the story. Shake Shack Midlothian
The Midlothian Shake Shack at 1371 Huguenot Road, near Raising Cane's and Torchy's Tacos, is now open. Read the story. Marylous
Marylous upscale soul food is now open at 1323 West Main Street in the former Postbellum spot. Read the story. Parlay at Graybo's
Parlay at Graybo’s is a new sports bar and card shop in Scott’s Addition at 3117 W. Leigh St. in Scott’s Addition in the former Circuit Arcade Bar spot. Read the story. Eggs Up Grill Mechanicsville
A new Eggs Up Grill is now open at 6593 Mechanicsville Turnpike in Brandy Creek Commons. Read the story. Trouvaille
Trouvaille is now open in the Fan at 203 N. Lombardy St. in the former Balliceaux spot. Read the story. Texas Inn
The Lynchburg diner that's been serving Cheesy Westerns and chili beans since 1935 has opened a location in Richmond in the Museum District at 2901 Park Ave. Read the story. Smoke & Barrel
Smoke & Barrel is now open at 2329 W. Main St. in the former Lady N'Awlins spot. Smoke & Barrel serves elevated Southern cuisine and craft cocktails. Read the story. 1870
1870, a French-inspired steak house from Chef David Dunlap of Midlothian Chef's Kitchen, opened in April at 13310 Midlothian Turnpike in the heart of Midlothian. Read the story. Cafe & Sabor
Cafe & Sabor opened a second location at 7807 W. Broad St in Richmond. The Colombian restaurant, bakery and coffee roastery is open for breakfast through dinner, serving freshly ground and roasted coffee, pastries, arepas and heartier meat dishes. Read the story. 92 Chicken
92 Chicken has opened a Korean-fried chicken spot at 200 W. Broad St. 92 Chicken is known for hand-battered, extra-crunchy fried chicken that’s hand brushed with your choice of sauces. You’ll also find some specialties like snow cheese chicken — fried chicken topped with cheesy, oniony powder. Read the story. The Mantu Express
Chef Hamidullah Noori of The Mantu in Carytown will be opening The Mantu Express in the former Two Guys Pizza location at 11636 W. Broad St in Short Pump. Until it becomes The Mantu Express, it will operate as Two Guys Pizza. Read the story. Fuji Ramen
Fuji Ramen opened a location at 1847 Southpark Blvd in Colonial Heights. Fuji Ramen focuses on classic ramen dishes and Japanese dishes. Ramen options span classic Tonkotsu creamy pork broth up to Spicy Xin Seafood Ramen, known for its heat. There’s also a selection of Donburi, which are rice bowls topped with varying grilled or fried meats. Read the story . ML Steak Chesterfield
ML Steak is now open at Chesterfield Town Center. The modern chophouse from the Lindsey Food Group features filet flights with different toppings, seafood and fried chicken sandwiches from sister restaurant Buttermilk + Honey. Read the story. Lalo's Margaritas
Lalo's Margaritas is now open at 5714 Patterson Ave. It's the sixth restaurant from restaurateur Eduardo “Lalo” Macias serving tacos, burritos, steak, seafood and its signature margaritas. Read the story. Lucky Chopstick
Lucky Chopstick opened in late March in the former home of Carytown staple The Eatery at 3000 W. Cary St. It features an updated take on Asian fusion cuisine with poke bowls, Chinese and Chinese-American cuisine. Read the story. The Bowl Vietnamese Cuisine
The Bowl Vietnamese Cuisine is now open at 15270 WC Main St., Midlothian in Westchester Commons. The new spot features a variety of hot stone pho bowls, noodle bowls, rice vermicelli, banh mi and more. Blue Bee Cider
The new owners of Blue Bee Cider moved to a new location at 4811 Bethlehem Road near Libbie Mill Midtown. Read the story. Tito's Taqueria
Tito’s Taqueria & Bar recently opened in the former Mojo's spot at 733 W. Cary St. near VCU. It specializes in street tacos and Instagram-worthy cocktails and margaritas. Read the story. Beaucoup
Beaucoup, located at 111 N. Robinson St., is a new cocktail and oysters restaurant owned by Donnie Glass and Eli Adams. Glass also owns Grisette and Jardin. Read the story . Tiny Vegan
Tiny Vegan , a popular vegan food trailer, opened a take-out spot in Carytown at 104 S. Sheppard St. Scott's Shawarma
Scott's Shawarma is now open in the Fan at 814 N. Robinson St. near the Science Museum of Virginia. Read the story. Fogo de Chão
Fogo de Chão, a new Brazilian steakhouse and churrascaria, is now open in the former Kona Grill spot at 11221 W. Broad St. in West Broad Village in Short Pump. Read the story. The Foundation
The Foundation, a new nightlife lounge concept from the Lindsey Food Group, opened in March at 401 E. Grace St. in downtown Richmond. Read the story. Lillian
Lillian, the buzzworthy new oyster hall from Patrick and Megan Phelan, opened at 3001 W. Leigh St. in Scott's Addition in January. Read the story. West End
West End, a new tapas and cocktail bar, opened at The Park in January. Read the story. Importante Bodega Bar
Importante Bodega Bar, a new tapas and wine bar, opened in Carytown at 3031 W. Cary St. Read the story. River City Wood Fire Pizza
River City Wood Fire Pizza, a longtime Richmond food truck, has opened a new brick-and-mortar at 2300 Genito Road in Powhatan. Read the story. Chipotle
The new Chipotle Mexican Grill at 15500 Hull Street Road in Chesterfield County has a drive-thru pickup lane. Raising Cane's
The new Raising Cane's across from the Diamond at 3064 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard is now open. Read the story. Chipotle near The Diamond
The new Chipotle at 3064 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd. across from The Diamond opened in March. Read the story. Bad As Philly
Bad As Philly, a fast-casual cheesesteak shop, is now open in the Fan at 2001½ W. Main St. in Richmond. Read the story. Gather & Hem
Gather & Hem is a new cocktail lounge with upscale cocktails and shareable plates in the Hilton Richmond Downtown at 501 E. Broad St. Brecotea Bakery & Café
Brecotea Bakery & Café, an Asian-inspired bakery that sells desserts and boba tea, has opened a new location in Midlothian at 11544 Busy St. Read the story. Pho 60 Café
Pho 60 Café, a new Vietnamese restaurant, is now open at 10201 Midlothian Turnpike. Read the story. The Hive Bar and Grill
The Hive Bar & Grill and The Hive Market are now open in Jackson Ward at 23 W. Marshall St. Read the story. KavaClub
KavaClub, Richmond's first kava bar, is now open at 1529 W. Main St. and serving kava. Read the story. Honest Indian Vegetarian
Honest Indian Vegetarian Restaurant is now open at 8900 W. Broad St. Read the story. Maracuchos Fast Food RVA
Venezuelan restaurant Maracuchos Fast Food RVA has opened at 13979 Raised Antler Circle in Midlothian. Read the story. El Chido, Midlothian
El Chido has opened its sixth location at 11001 Midlothian Turnpike. El Chido is a taqueria owned by Cruz Albaanio (in the photo) with most of its locations in Henrico. Read the story. Oh Mochi
Oh Mochi, the Richmond sweet shop serving mochi donuts, Korean corn dogs and boba tea, has opened an outpost at The Park at 1407 Cummings Drive. Read the story. Take a look at the following restaurants and breweries that closed in the Richmond area.
