One of our favourite new stockists is Need Supply in Richmond, Virginia. They have an awesome website with cool brands - we feel like we're in excellent company! - and everyone who works for the company are the kind of girls we'd love to be friends with. So it was a no brainer that we ask Krystle, head buyer for the store, to share her travel tips. We've added Richmond to our dream wishlist of destinations next year after reading it! This is Richmond, by Krystle.
The Fan - source
one. Best thing about Richmond?
Living in "The Fan" which is a beautiful old neighborhood, full of families and little parks, and great local restaurants.
The way the city molds itself around the James River. The out-door culture really co-exists with city-life side-by-side because of it. There are trails that run all along the river right through the downtown area.
two. Worst thing about Richmond?
The oppressive Summer heat, and the fact that there's no beach here.
three. Favourite secret spot?
There are no secrets here- it's too small!
MAYBE the best little wine store on Strawberry Street.
four. Favourite everyone-knows-it-but-it's-still-good spot?
The Roosevelt- it's relatively new still on the Richmond restaurant scene, but it's so stand out good. The cocktails are delicious and imaginative, and the southern-home-cooking inspired menu never fails.
Another favorite “not so secret” spot is the weekly Food Truck Court in the parking lot of the Virginia Historical Society. A rotating selection of local chefs come out to serve things like tofu and kimchi tacos, braised lamb, and brick-oven pizza with fig jam, gorgonzola, and prosciutto (the "Fig & Pig" - my favorite). Everything is delicious and inexpensive, so you can make the rounds and try a bunch of things while you're there.
The Roosevelt - source
five. What was your newest discovery in Richmond? What about somewhere you've been going forever but can't quite give up?
My newest discovery is the canal walks. I recently changed my run route to go along the river and happened upon the some amazing murals and restaurants right on the canals downtown that I didn't even know existed. There's a ton of development going on in historic downtown Richmond that's super exciting.
As for a place I've been going forever but can't quite give up - the Virginia Museum of Fine Art is within walking distance of my house and is the perfect place to get lost inside. No matter how many times I go, I always discover new things I've somehow overlooked during my previous visits.
six. Where is the best place for.... morning coffee/pick-me-up? meal with friends? romantic rendez-vous? late night drink? even later-night boogie?
Morning coffee pick-me-up: Lamplighter Roasting Co. is definitely the coffee spot at which to see and be seen. Their coffee is amazing, and so is the bagel sandwich with smoked salmon, lemon, tomato, sliced onions and capers…delish!
Best place for a late-night drink is Ipanema - all vegetarian restaurant. Great vegan options as well. BEST casual bar scene- but a place you'll be sure to see all kinds of people you know. It's dark in there as its sort of a basement. It's cozy. The best crazy dance nights with a group of friends usually happen at Balliceaux, a restaurant/nightclub that looks like it was plucked out of the West Village in NY.
seven. Where are Richmond's style spots? Where is the best shopping?
That's easy Need Supply Co.
I love Pink, a boutique just up the street from us. They carry beautiful things, and it's an all-girl environment- the shopping experience is always lovely. I can always find great pieces on sale there. The owners are very dear to me, I don't visit them often enough.
eight. What is something you can get/read/experience/eat that you can only do in Richmond?
A river float down the mighty James River during a 100+ degree summer day. It's always full of people and their dogs, but if you're looking for some quiet time it's easy to swim out to one of the empty little rock islands to relax alone. I like to fill a big thermos up with margarita and spend all day out there. The thermos also doubles as a flotation device when my arms start to get tired from swimming.
nine. You can tell a lot about a city from their airport. Describe Richmond's.
What I love about Richmond's airport is how small and homey it is. It's always so good to come home from a trip through LAX or JFK and arrive at the sleepy little Richmond Airport.
On that note- a big plus not to be over-looked are the short or nonexistent security lines when you have to get on a 6:15am flight.
ten. How would you describe Richmond to someone who has never been there before?
A "town-city" is what my five-year old insightfully calls it. It's got a city feel- but it's small enough to bump into people you know almost every-where you go. It's a great place to have a young family.
There's a ton of history here (Richmond was the Capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War) and there's also a large population of young people driving development and new industry.
The James - Source
Benah's This Is My City guides: