Midas of Richmond’s Church Hill location at Broad and 21st streets About two dozen properties in and around Shockoe Bottom would become newly eligible for historic preservation tax credits – and thus riper for redevelopment – with a proposed expansion and update of a state and national historic district that’s being prompted by a recent auto shop rehab A public meeting is scheduled today (Monday) on the proposal to expand the Shockoe Valley and Tobacco Row Historic District by about 5 additional acres and extend its “period of significance” by 34 years to include buildings that were constructed through 1967 The change would make 21 more buildings in the existing 129-acre district eligible for state and national historic tax credits as “contributing” structures and would add five more buildings in the proposed expansion area including the new Midas of Richmond auto shop at Broad and 21st streets A map shows the district outlined in black and the proposed expansion area in red Midas’s rehab last year of the century-old garage building is what’s prompting the proposal by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources which is hosting a public information hearing at the Midas at 6 p.m The requested change was submitted on Midas’s behalf by local consulting firm Sadler & Whitehead which discovered over the course of the rehab that the former Duke’s Auto Electric & General Repair property was not within the boundaries of any state or federal historic districts in the area despite its inclusion in the City of Richmond’s Shockoe Valley Old and Historic District Falling within the city district put Midas’s project in the purview of Richmond’s Commission of Architectural Review requiring its approval of any changes to the building’s exterior Midas’s Mark Smith said that while the building turned out generally as planned some changes were made to paint colors and designs even though what was planned to be a historic preservation rehab was in fact ineligible for state and national tax credits due to the property being outside a historic district I’m doing this buildout to be in compliance we realized being in compliance was a non-issue because we weren’t even in the zone,” Smith said Mark Smith inside the nearly century-old building which was used as an auto repair garage continuously until it went dormant several years ago The issue was discovered by Sadler & Whitehead’s Catherine Easterling who Smith enlisted to process the tax credits Easterling found that the property was in what she described as a “no-man’s land” between the Shockoe Valley/Tobacco Row district to the south and west and others to the north and east is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places “It’s really penned in by all of these historic designations and yet Mark’s property was not in a national register district,” Easterling said “He was getting the stick of city old and historic district restrictions but not any of the carrots of tax credits.” Easterling initially proposed expanding the St John’s Church district to include the Midas property suggested that the more-industrial Shockoe Valley/Tobacco Row district would be a better fit In addition to the Midas property at 2018 E the boundary increase would include the full city block across Broad Street from the Midas and about half of the block to the west of that Buildings in that area that would be considered “contributing” include the E and two 19th-century rowhouses at 209-211 N Buildings in the existing district boundary that would become “contributing” and credit-eligible with the period-of-significance extension include the 1920s-era former Texaco gas station at Main and 25th streets and a former Henrico County office building built in 1954 at 2025 E a block west of the old Henrico courthouse building 1967 is proposed for the period-of-significance extension “to reflect a significant shift in the architectural character of new infill constructed between circa 1930 and the 1960s as the neighborhood continued to host industrial and commercial properties.” The application states that 1967 was the last year that one of those infill properties was built While the Midas rehab was completed last year and the location opened in January the project could still be awarded tax credits if the district expansion is approved Easterling said the cutoff for the final part of a federal credit application is 30 months after a project’s completion and the state credits is 12 months and requires listing on the Virginia Landmarks Commission “That has to be in place before he’ll be awarded any credits but he certainly still has time even though the project has been completed,” Easterling said Midas rehabbed the century-old auto shop property Smith said the project wasn’t contingent on the credits but he was nonetheless expecting to benefit from them – as had been the case with his previous rehab for the Midas in Scott’s Addition State credits are generally 25% of general expenditures involving work on the building “I absolutely was expecting to get historic tax credits shape or form did the project depend on them,” Smith said “It was the single most expensive project we’ve ever done Smith declined to share the overall cost of the Church Hill location, which he said has been outperforming its peers. He bought the half-acre property in 2023 for $1.6 million “We opened with the third-highest first month volume any Midas shop has ever had,” he said the proposal will be reviewed by Virginia’s State Review Board and Board of Historic Resources and considered at their joint quarterly meeting on June 12 The two boards consider nominations of historic places for listing on both the Virginia Landmarks Register and the national register The Shockoe Valley/Tobacco Row district was last updated in 2015 Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" this is the Mark Smith that contributes so much to the FeedMore outreach programs region-wide There’s nothing more essential to life than a good meal I hope this new location works out for him the former FeedMore HQ on Rhoadmiller Drive is under contract for the construction for new four story stacked townhouse condos by national builder KHovnanian New for-sale houses are coming to the city Manchester is also a target for this recent high density product as Ryan Homes has a site at the… Read more » He is definitely one of the good guys out there but the reality is people still depend on cars Quality services for those cars is also an essential component of an area’s service industry I am glad to see an responsible operator with a great reputation especially one that gives back to the community so much © 2025 Richmond BizSense - All Rights Reserved Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now × READ MORESuspect in Church Hill homicide in custody (WCYB) — UPDATE: Hunter Groves is in custody the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said Friday UPDATE: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has identified 24-year-old Hunter Groves as a suspect He is charged in connection to the homicide Groves has ties to Virginia and was last seen driving a red Ford F-150 Lariat with Virginia plates He should be considered armed and dangerous The TBI and the Church Hill Police Department are asking anyone with information concerning his whereabouts to contact the Church Hill Police Department at 423-357-3487 or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting in Church Hill that happened on Wednesday officers responded to the 100 block of Highland Avenue just before 6:30 p.m Officers found 43-year-old Joseph William Pennington dead inside the residence The Church Hill Police Department is investigating along with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation We'll have updates as they become available To purchase photos visit http://photos.newtownbee.com Sandy Hook and Hook & Ladder responded; 7:58 am You must be logged in to post a comment The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation unveiled an updated online plan display regarding the Route 4004 (Hill Church Road) safety improvement project in North Annville Township To address comments received during the public comment period, PennDOT officials said the project will consist of an all-way stop intersection lowering the vertical curve along the east leg of Hill Church Road and roadway rumble strips on all roadway approaches to the intersection The purpose of this project is to improve safety and address future traffic demands for the Route 4004 intersection with Thompson Avenue Officials said roadway widths and shoulders will be widened to PennDOT standards "The intersection will be closed during construction," officials said in a release Traffic using Route 4004 (Hill Church Road) will be detoured onto Route 4002 (Center Street) Traffic using Thompson Avenue (T-390/SR 4005) be detoured onto Route 4026 (Waterworks Way) a short section of Route 4004 (Hill Church Road) The project is currently in design and construction is anticipated to begin during the 2026 construction season "The purpose of the plans display is to present an alternative that addresses the comments received during the public comment period," officials said "It is also an opportunity for the public to review the project’s potential effect upon Cultural Resources pursuant to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s 36 CFR Part 800 regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act." The project documents can be made available in alternative languages or formats if requested. If you need translation/interpretation services or have special needs or have special concerns that require individual attention, contact Dan Rocuskie, Project Manager, at (717) 705-6181 or email at drocuskie@pa.gov  Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting 511PA.com The free 24-hour service provides residents with traffic delay warnings weather forecasts and traffic speed information Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News Reach him at mtoth@ldnews.com or on X at @DAMattToth LebTown PennDOT officials have posted a second plan for intersection improvements at Hill Church Road and Thompson Avenue in North Annville Township following public opposition to the use of preserved farmland for the project. (LebTown file photo by James Mentzer) Lebanon County’s most essential weekly read non-partisan journalism?Become a champion of local news and unlock additional benefits as a LebTown member Already a member? Log in here to hide these messages An informed community is a stronger community LebTown covers the local government meetings and community stories that shape Lebanon County’s future Join the 1,000+ LebTown readers who support our work as members Public opposition to a plan to realign Hill Church Road through a swath of farmland in North Annville Township has led the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to reconsider its options PennDOT is asking the public to look at an updated plan that is on display online for the proposed safety improvement project about 1.3 miles north of Annville The purpose of the project is to improve safety and address future traffic demands for the Route 4004 (Hill Church Road) intersection with Thompson Avenue If you rely on us for your Lebanon County news “To address comments received during the public comment period the project will consist of an all-way stop intersection and roadway rumble strips on all roadway approaches to the intersection,” Dave Thompson community relations coordinator for PennDOT “Roadway widths and shoulders will be widened to PennDOT standards.” Many of the comments opposing the previous plan were related to impacts to preserved farmland owned by Jim Hoffman Thompson told LebTown in early April that PennDOT was reconsidering its plan which had been estimated to cost $2.03 million PennDOT presented three solutions to township supervisors but without any preliminary drawings for them to review according to township secretary-treasurer Adam Wolfe The solutions offered by PennDOT at that time were the highway realignment plan installation of four-way stop signs or construction of a roundabout Supervisors had announced at prior township meetings that they selected the highway realignment sight unseen because they were told the four-way stops were the least safe solution following a PennDOT traffic study of that intersection The intersection will be closed during construction Traffic using Hill Church Road will be redirected onto Center Street Traffic using Thompson Avenue will be detoured onto Waterworks Way Reach our newsroom using this contact form and we’ll do our best to get back to you Help build a better-informed Lebanon County. LebTown’s independent journalism keeps you connected to your community and the issues that matter most. Become a monthly or annual member to support our mission, or make a one-time contribution to expand our coverage Kindly keep your comments on topic and respectful We will remove comments that do not abide by these simple rules LebTown members get exclusive benefits such as featured comments. If you're already a member, please log in to comment Barley Snyder BlueScope Buildings North America Brick Property Services Caring Transitions of Hershey & Lebanon PA Community Health Council of Lebanon County Cornwall Manor Greater Lebanon Refuse Authority Gretna Music Henise Tire Service In The Net Jono Hardware Lebanon Area Fair Lebanon County Bar Association Lebanon Internal Medicine Associates Reliable Moving & Storage Salvation Army Lebanon Corps Steckbeck Engineering & Surveying, Inc. The Original Mount Gretna Cicada Music Festival Showers early with some clearing overnight the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was working with the Church Hill Police Department in finding 24-year-old Hunter Groves charged in connection to Wednesday’s homicide CHURCH HILL — The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced on social media Friday that Hunter Groves was taken into custody in connection to Wednesday’s homicide Officers responded to reports of a shooting just before 6:30 p.m Wednesday at the 100 block of Highland Avenue according to the Church Hill Police Department Email notifications are only sent once a day Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Please disable your ad blocker, whitelist our site, or purchase a subscription Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account Joe Coughlin is a co-founder and the editor in chief of The Record. He leads investigative reporting and reports on anything else needed. Joe has been recognized for his investigative reporting and sports reporting, feature writing and photojournalism. Follow Joe on Twitter @joec2319 A few showers this evening with mostly cloudy conditions overnight Please disable your ad blocker, whitelist our site, or purchase a subscription Church Hill police are seeking an armed and dangerous suspect in a homicide after a reported shooting Wednesday night Church Hill Police officers were called to the 100 block of Highland Ave shortly before 6:30 p.m they found 43 year old Joseph William Pennington dead inside a home Police have identified 24 year old Hunter Groves as a suspect An arrest warrant charging Groves with second-degree murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony has been issued Groves was last seen driving a red 2011-2013 Ford F-150 Lariat with Virginia tags The Church Hill Police Department describes Groves as armed and dangerous and asked anyone with information on his whereabouts to call police or 1-800-TBI-FIND WFHG Public Inspection File   Public File Assistance   EEO Public File © 2025 Bristol Broadcasting Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved The Church Hill Police Department is working with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on a Wednesday evening homicide CHURCH HILL — The Church Hill Police Department is working with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on a Wednesday evening homicide According to the Church Hill Police Department officers responded to reports of a shooting just before 6:30 p.m They found 43-year-old Joseph William Pennington dead inside the residence The investigation remains active and further information will be released later today Please disable your ad blocker, whitelist our site, or purchase a subscription A Camden man is accused of deliberately driving across a street and onto a sidewalk to hit a pedestrian in Cherry Hill then allegedly fled the scene on Church Road near Millstream Lane leaving the victim with multiple broken bones underwent surgery after the April 8 assault The victim's current condition was not known Cherry Hill Mall: Five new tenants prepare for 2025 openings The statement said Ingram was driving westbound on Church while the victim was walking on the eastbound sidewalk crossed over the eastbound lanes and onto the sidewalk before accelerating towards the victim." The impact of the collision threw the pedestrian into the air The victim required surgery for his injuries Ingram allegedly fled separate attempts by police to stop his vehicle in Cherry Hill and Camden It added that Ingram had stolen the vehicle from a relative in Camden earlier in the day He was arrested after returning the car to his relative's home aggravated assault and leaving the scene of an accident "knowing or reasonably believing that the victim was physically helpless,” the complaint said He faces 16 charges in Cherry Hill municipal court including reckless driving and improper driving on a sidewalk He faces a charge in Camden municipal court for the alleged theft of a motor vehicle (This story was updated to add information and a photograph.) Jim Walsh is a senior reporter for the Courier-Post Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal the commitment to providing pro bono services has been a tradition since its founding in 1901 and remains a core value today.  The pro bono projects tackled by the firm often involve cutting edge legal issues resulting in the creation of new policies and laws Whether it’s maintaining a neighborhood office solely dedicated to pro bono work maintaining full-time pro bono fellowships for lawyers interested in seeking positions in public service or providing free legal services to legal aid clients veterans or immigrants seeking asylum from persecution the firm has proven its dedication to pro bono service and its standing as one of the best firms doing pro bono work a signatory member of the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge© met or exceeded the goal of providing more than 3 percent of its billable time to pro bono services Hunton Andrews Kurth was recognized in 2009 with the Pro Bono Institute Pickering Award for its extraordinary record of lawyer participation in pro bono services the firm was awarded the American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico Award for its noteworthy contributions in extending legal service to the poor and disadvantaged through the firm’s neighborhood pro bono office model 100 percent of Hunton’s full-time US lawyers participated in pro bono projects the firm’s lawyers across its domestic and international offices donated more than 50,000 hours of service to low-income and charitable clients.  The Hunton Andrews Kurth George Hettrick Community Law Center pro bono office in the Church Hill neighborhood is central to the firm’s pro bono program Hunton established a satellite office in Richmond's historic Church Hill neighborhood to provide pro bono services to financially limited persons the Church Hill office offers legal services in the following subject areas: The firm is dedicated to the idea that lawyers must address the increasing cost of legal services and make legal services more widely available to all citizens The Church Hill office is a reflection of the firm’s commitment to that idea More than 90 lawyers volunteer to represent clients at the Church Hill office each year. Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP 2300 East Marshall Street | Richmond VA 23223 p +1 804 775 2248 | f +1 804 775 2279  Please note that we are unable to respond to requests for legal assistance or to answer specific legal questions via e-mail In response to federal budget cuts to legal aid services Hunton maintains and funds three fellowship positions for lawyers whose time is entirely committed to pro bono work each fellow spends a great amount of time in the courtroom and serves as a useful resource for other lawyers seeking assistance on pro bono matters enhanced in 2004 to provide $10,000 each year for law school debt repayment are two-year positions and are valuable opportunities for young lawyers pursuing careers in public service The Houston Fellow represents legal aid clients referred through the Houston Volunteer Lawyers the pro bono arm of the Houston Bar Association While the substantial portion of legal work is performed for Houston Volunteer Lawyers it is expected that the fellow is fully integrated into Hunton with all the normal opportunities available for legal training associate development and social participation The current Houston Pro Bono Fellow is Joseph Barron The New York fellow represents immigration clients through Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) and the Legal Aid Society of New York The New York fellowship started in 2017 after the firm had hosted an Atlanta fellowship for eight rotations While the substantial portion of legal work is performed through legal service providers in New York The current New York fellow is Lucía Falcón The Richmond fellow dedicates a large percentage of his or her time to Church Hill neighborhood office matters and the other portion to matters handled through the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society While the substantial portion of legal work is performed for Central Virginia Legal Aid The current Richmond fellow is David Tisel Asylum/ImmigrationChildren’s RightsDisability RightsDomestic Violence/Protective OrdersFamily Law/Divorce/Custody/SupportFirst AmendmentHousing and Landlord/TenantInnocence Project CasesInternational Child AbductionLawyers for the ArtsLegal Services for the ElderlyLGBTQIA+Micro-lending and Small BusinessNon-Profit Transactional WorkPrisoners’ Rights and Justice ReformRestoration of RightsTax AssistanceVeteran’s Disability Claims Hunton is committed to supporting those who have served their country particularly by providing pro bono legal support to veterans Recognition for sustaining our commitment and dedication to providing pro bono services The Pro Bono Institute Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge® initiative is a unique aspirational pro bono standard. Major law firms that become Signatories to the Challenge acknowledge their institutional firm-wide commitment to provide pro bono legal services to low-income and disadvantaged individuals and families nonprofit groups, and other worthy causes.  and federal government websites often end in .gov Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address Before sharing sensitive or personal information make sure you're on an official state website The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) invites the public to an online plan display regarding the State Route 4004 (Hill Church Road) safety improvement project This project is in North Annville Township Geometric deficiencies in the roadway limit sight distance looking right from Thompson Avenue and are addressed with the proposed project To address comments received during the public comment period The project is located north of Annville in a rural community surrounded by residential properties and farm fields Route 4004 is identified as a Collector Bicycle Route by the Lebanon Valley Bicycle Coalition on the County Bicycle Map A wetland and watercourse identification and delineation did not identify any aquatic resources present The PNDI indicated a potential conflict with the bog turtle No bog turtle habitat was identified within 300 feet of the project limits Three properties are being evaluated for historic eligibility and archaeological studies are currently being conducted There are existing overhead utility lines running parallel to Route 4004 east to west and parallel to Thompson Avenue north to south Impacts to these facilities are anticipated and relocations of utility poles will be coordinated with the responsible utility company Right-of-Way acquisition is anticipated along SR 4004 (Hill Church Road) SR 4005 (Thompson Avenue) and T-390 (Thompson Avenue) Temporary construction easements are anticipated for driveway reconstruction and the project will be constructed with a full detour Traffic utilizing SR 4004 (Hill Church Road) will be detoured onto SR 4002 (Center Street) Traffic utilizing Thompson Avenue (T-390/SR 4005) be detoured onto SR 4026 (Waterworks Way) a short section of SR 4004 (Hill Church Road) Construction is anticipated to begin during the 2026 construction season and the estimated cost of construction cost will be updated where the community is encouraged to respond with questions and concerns was available from January 14 The project documents can be made available in alternative languages or formats if requested If you need translation or interpretation services or have concerns that require individual attention please contact the PennDOT Project Manager listed above Pursuant to the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 PennDOT does not discriminate on the basis of race If you feel that you have been denied the benefits of or participation in a PennDOT program or activity Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application Isaiah 40:31: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run TN went home to be with his Lord and Savior on February 1 and love for sharing his faith with everyone he met He never met a stranger and had a gift for making those around him feel welcomed and appreciated Benny's greatest joy in life was his family He adored his beloved wife and enjoyed aggravating her about anything and everything very proud of his sons and daughter and their many accomplishments Nothing brought him more happiness than spending time with his three grandsons Benny was a man who knew how to enjoy the simple pleasures of life old-fashioned country cooking and was known for attending fish fries Benny fulfilled his lifelong dream of visiting The Holy Land He loved telling others that he saw and walked where Jesus was during His time on earth and enjoyed referring to the Apostle Paul as the "Old Apostle Paul.” Benny attended McPheeters Bend Missionary Baptist Church where he loved worshiping his Lord and Savior Benny also loved visiting Jasper Baptist Church Benny retired from Eastman Chemical Company in 2001 after 33 years of service He retired the second time from BAE in 2015 after 13 years I am sure everyone heard him laughing and praising Jesus Louie “Bubba” Reist and Mark Stewart and laughter continue to shine through the lives of his beloved wife of 56 years Amy and husband Martin Taylor of Church Hill Zach Taylor and fiancée McKinsey Christian Isaac Berry and longtime girlfriend Addison James He is also survived by his brothers-in-law and their wives Benny is also survived by three sisters Flora Smith Friends and family may visit at any time at his home in Church Hill The family will receive friends on Wednesday 2025 from 4:30-6:30pm at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home Funeral services will be conducted at 6:30pm in the funeral home chapel Benny will be taken to his final earthly resting place on Thursday 2025 at 11:00am at Oak Hill Memorial Park.  Family and friends will meet at the funeral home at 10:00am to go in procession Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors The coffeeshop’s future home is an infill development that was completed in recent years Alexa Schuett is at it again in Church Hill The owner of Liberty Public House, Riverbend Roastery and the soon-to-open Chimbo Sandwich Shoppe is working on her fourth concept in the neighborhood The new spot will take a ground-floor space in a mixed-use building at the corner of 32nd and S streets that was recently built by local development firm Cava Cos.  Schuett said feedback from customers at Riverbend, formerly Captain Buzzy’s helped drive the decision to pursue another café in the Church Hill North area “A friend of a friend reached out and said ‘Hey I live over this way and I walk all the way to Riverbend I’d love if we had a Riverbend-esque space over here,’” Schuett said “I didn’t even know it was for lease…I was asked nicely and I said I’d go look. It took a while to decide if we had the bandwidth to take on two (new places) at the same time,” she said, referring to her new Chimbo Sandwich Shoppe that’s set to open in the coming weeks in the old 8½ space at 2709 E She wound up signing a lease for the roughly 1,000-square-foot 32nd Street space which she said she’s planning to turn into a cozy be a community space for whatever they need: a place to get a coffee in the morning a place to hang out with their friends,” Schuett said The new shop is named for a type of arabica coffee bean that’s Schuett’s and her wife’s favorite “(Peaberry beans) are smaller and a bit sweeter It’ll be our signature coffee,” Schuett said adding that Peaberry’s beans will be roasted by Riverbend The rest of the new café’s menu will primarily be baked goods and grab-and-go items The space isn’t outfitted with a full commercial kitchen so Schuett said they won’t serve the hot food that’s become part of Riverbend’s operation “Riverbend has kind of accidentally turned into a sandwich space I’m trying to avoid that here,” Schuett said Peaberry is targeted to open sometime in May Schuett said they’re working to have Chimbo Sandwich Shoppe open sometime in March Elsewhere in Church Hill North, a new taqueria, Taco Vegana is preparing to open at the corner of Oakwood Avenue and P Street This story is for our paid subscribers only Please become one of the thousands of BizSense Pro readers today Renew now by choosing a subscription below YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR A 1 YEAR MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL AT THE RATE IN EFFECT AT THAT TIME UNLESS YOU CANCEL YOUR MEMBERSHIP BY LOGGING IN OR BY CONTACTING SUPPORT@BUSINESSDEN.COM ALL CHARGES FOR MONTHLY OR ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS ARE NONREFUNDABLE EACH MEMBERSHIP WILL ONLY FUNCTION ON UP TO 3 MACHINES ACCOUNTS ABUSING THAT LIMIT WILL BE DISCONTINUED FOR ASSISTANCE WITH YOUR MEMBERSHIP PLEASE EMAIL SUPPORT@BUSINESSDEN.COM Mike Platania joined BizSense in December 2016. He covers commercial real estate, restaurants and breweries. He graduated from Virginia Tech. Reach him at mike@richmondbizsense.com or (804) 554-6872 This is great news for those of us within the Church Hill Central Civic Assoc boundaries…great location for those of us east of M St. too…can’t wait for you to open —The Church Hill Irish Festival and Shamrock the Block promise a weekend filled with music the head Leprechaun for the Church Hill Irish Festival said the festival has ties to the neighborhood's historic St so the church was built by the Irish here in Richmond back in the 1850s and we've tried to keep the traditions alive," he said including a coveted dish known as Irish Surprise “I can't tell you everything it's in it because it's a big secret The festival also aims to support local organizations such as the Church Hill Boys and Girls Club and St McCune said there is no need to be worried about parking “We have 16th and East Broad Street," he said "We have shuttles running from there both days and we also have parking deck at 200 Orleans Street down near Rockets Landing bringing folks up to both days." The 39th annual Church Hill Irish Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m Patrick’s Catholic Church on North 25th and Broad streets VIDEO VAULT 2023: Shamrock the Block let's you 'unite with your community the 19th annual Shamrock the Block will take place in Scott’s Addition starting at noon on Saturday The free outdoor festival on Leigh Street between Movieland and Midtown Green a nonprofit that supports small foundations and charities in the Richmond area This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy The one-story building near the intersection of Oakwood Avenue P Street and Chimborazo Boulevard has sat vacant for years The Church Hill area is set to get a new taqueria Rachel and Milton Rodriguez are preparing to open Taco Vegana at 1004 Oakwood Ave The new restaurant is moving into a vacant building in Church Hill North near the three-way intersection of Oakwood Avenue Rachel and Milton Rodriguez are a married couple and first-time restaurateurs hailing from the Shenandoah Valley and Baja California They said that before moving to Richmond about four years ago where vegan Tex-Mex options were more abundant but you have options,” Milton said of vegan Tex-Mex food “(It’s) something I didn’t find here in Virginia and I think there’s a huge need for it here.” Milton and Rachel Rodriguez (Courtesy Taco Vegana) About two years ago they began looking for a location for Taco Vegana while also maintaining their careers Milton works in financial analytics and Rachel is in HR The Rodriguezes eventually found 1004 Oakwood Ave., a one-story building that had sat vacant for years. In February 2024 it sold to Sam Tuttle, a local developer who has previously done work in the Church Hill area The Rodriguezes leased the 1,000-square-foot space and began renovating it Milton said at Taco Vegana they’ll be making their own seitan as well as vegetable-based substitutes such as cauliflower which he said they’ll fry and use to replace Baja fish tacos there’s a lot of different types of vegans: those who are all about the meat substitutes those who really just want more vegetable-forward dishes and those who are gluten-free,” Rachel said “We’re trying to be really mindful of having those types of options for everyone.” Taco Vegana will operate with counter service and have seating for around 25 The Rodriguezes also are pursuing an ABC license to serve beer While I know the Church Hill community has been excited about it … at the same time I know that I’m serving vegan Mexican (food) I need everything in my arsenal to bring people in,” Milton said of the need for a full bar Rachel added that the pair is also planning to add morning coffee service later Taco Vegana is targeted to open in late February or March and directly across the street from the James S Place that the Church Hill Central Civic Association and Capital Trees are partnering to create a true neighborhood square the larger community We look forward to Taco Vegana helping create that attractive Lots of excitement around here to be able to add to the area’s walkability and support of small business. Glad to see momentum continuing in your neighborhood Also glad to see Taco Vegana setting up shop there Wishing you and the Rodriguezes all the very best going forward in these outstanding endeavors I wish you guys luck (but also wish that you will I mean would it kill you to eat a meatless lunch from time to time Some people just have an uncontrollable urge to let it be known they aren’t interested in eating vegan food and that they think something else should be served It doesn’t seem to happen with any other type of restaurant We are just returning to Church Hill from 🇲🇽 Mexico and cannot wait to taste your offerings but don’t seeing this lasting long without non-vegan options You can get a vegan taco at literally any taco place in the city Beet Box is moving into the recently vacated North End Juice Co Two local juice and smoothie shops have swapped places in Church Hill The Beet Box plans to open next month at 2400 Jefferson Ave. a storefront recently vacated by North End Juice Co Beet Box was founded in 2019 by Ashley Lewis and Antione “Roc” Meredith and offers a range of vegan and vegetarian smoothies the Jefferson Avenue space is nearly turnkey for Beet Box Renovations will mostly include a few upgrades to existing equipment and adding some color to match its Cary Street location “It’s already been outfitted for what we’re doing,” Lewis said “Renovation will include art and some vibrant vibes to the space.”  said the company has had its eye on expansion for a while announced it was leaving the Church Hill location late last year Lewis knew it was the right time and place for a new location She said she and her staff have long loved the Church Hill neighborhood who developed and owns 2400 Jefferson Ave. said North End Juice Co.’s lease expired after five years and the shop chose to focus efforts on its Museum District location at 718 N Beet Box previously had a second location at Hatch Local a now-shuttered food hall at 400-414 Hull Street in Manchester While the food hall iteration of Beet Box didn’t pan out the company aims to open the Church Hill location with some new menu items In addition to the existing menu of beetroot smoothies the new Beet Box will offer some meat options a first for the previously all-vegan and vegetarian juice shop Some of Beet Box’s bottled juice shots Customers have been asking for meat options for a while Turkey and chicken items will be available when the shop opens in February Two or three Beet Box employees will be stationed at the Church Hill location The team is excited to get started in a fresh space “We’re just bringing our Beet Box vibe to Church Hill,” she said and they’re a huge part of why the business has been as successful as it has.” the new Beet Box will be open daily from 8:30 a.m Brokers Nathan Hughes and Rob Brown of Sperity Real Estate Ventures handled the Beet Box lease negotiations Jackie joined Richmond BizSense in January 2025. She covers startups, nonprofits, public companies, local government and more. Reach her at jackie@richmondbizsense.com or (703) 789-7628 Hopefully they will be open more and have more consistent hours than the previous tenant North End Juice needs to retrain its employees on what “service” entails Austin Curtis and Alexa Schuett outside the future Chimbo Sandwich Shoppe space An established player in the Church Hill food scene is branching out elsewhere in the neighborhood who owns Liberty Public House restaurant and Riverbend Roastery coffee shop is preparing to open Chimbo Sandwich Shoppe in the former 8 ½ space at 2709 E Schuett, who will co-own the new spot with Liberty Public House kitchen manager Austin Curtis, said she’s had the idea for Chimbo Sandwich Shoppe in the back of her mind for a while, and that she hopes it’ll fill a gap left by Black Sheep, a restaurant that served large, imaginative sandwiches in the Carver neighborhood from 2008 until its closure in 2017 “(Chimbo will have) fresh baked bread and baguettes that we’re doing in house,” Schuett said “While we’ll never replace Black Sheep we would like to try to fill some of that void there with some really interesting Schuett said Chimbo will have weekly special sandwiches along with soups and sides like pasta salad and baked mac and cheese The nearly 700-square-foot space became available after 8 ½ closed late last year after around seven years in Church Hill The Italian joint’s Fan location remains open Chimbo will operate primarily as a to-go spot and be open for both lunch and dinner Schuett said after unveiling her plans to some Church Hill locals a common ask was whether lunch service was in the plans “So much of Church Hill is dinner only,” Schuett said Let’s go make sure that there is a little more lunch to be had.” Schuett and Curtis are leasing the space from building owner and fellow restaurateur Kendra Feather of Garnett’s Sperity Real Estate Ventures’ Nathan Hughes handled the lease negotiations Schuett said they’re working to renovate the space now and seek to have Chimbo open in late February or March Excited for this new spot and I think it will be a perfect addition to what is currently in Church Hill Standing in front of the first two completed townhomes along 33rd Street are from left: father-and-son Sam Daniel and Walid Daniel and Savoy Properties’ Jeff Stefanski and Bill Pangburn With two homes built and more in the works a local developer-builder team is adding more rooftops in Church Hill North and replacing a condemned eyesore with half-million-dollar residences in the process Walid Daniel and Bill Pangburn are finishing up the first two of eight new townhomes they are adding in the 900 block of North 33rd Street The new homes are finishing out a previously approved plan that started with four homes at the corner of 33rd and P that were built by Kyle Hoffer’s Watchtower Homes and Construction Daniel acquired the four remaining lots at 920-926 N around the time that Watchtower was building its homes Pangburn’s Savoy Properties broke ground on the first two homes Daniel last year purchased a row of six condemned apartments at 908-916 N which he and Pangburn plan to replace with four more townhomes “Once this is gone,” Pangburn said of the apartments “this whole neighborhood will look brand new.” have been condemned by the city and will be demolished Daniel and Pangburn have teamed up in Church Hill North before, having built the four-unit Williams Townes at 32nd and N streets four years ago Those 3,100-square-foot townhomes pushed up price points in the area at the time selling at prices between $500,000 and $580,000 The first four homes planned along 33rd Street will each total 1,700 square feet across two stories 2½ bathrooms and front and rear porches totaling 200 square feet Prices will start at $450,000 and go up with customizations The four homes that will replace the condemned apartments will be about 25 percent larger potentially 3½ baths and deeper backyards due to the longer lots “I think there is a market here now for four-bedrooms so that’s where we are going with the others,” Daniel said of the larger units He said he was alerted to the lots at 920-926 N 33rd by Hometown Realty agent Matt Jarreau who also is listing the homes for Daniel through his George real estate team Daniel said the apartments were brought to his attention by agents with Samson Properties’ One South Realty Group which he worked with in selling the Williams Townes units City property records show Daniel paid $475,000 last June for the apartments The apartment lots total a quarter-acre and were assessed by the city last year at $490,000 combined Daniel paid $240,000 for the four other lots which total 0.16 of an acre and were assessed in 2020 at $120,000 Pryor Hauling is lined up to do the demolition The demolished apartments will make way for four slightly larger townhomes The townhomes feature open floor plans and include covered porches and fenced rear yards While they’re working on the 33rd Street homes Daniel and Pangburn are also planning six more townhomes across the river in Manchester Four units are planned at 1700-04 Boston Ave. while another two are in the works a couple blocks away at 1901-03 Boston Ave The North 33rd homes are one of many infill projects that are reshaping parts of Church Hill North. Last year, developer Daniil Kleyman and builder Bryan Traylor replaced a former medical office building at 29th and R streets with eight for-sale townhomes and four rental duplexes Meh…more of the same housing without character or response to the diversity of styles and character that really defined this neighborhood…but which we’re losing every time one of these get built i suggest you get into real estate development yourself if you are so picky about arbitrary design choices At least it’s not another hideous copy/paste 6-Over-1 but it’s better than what was there before it would appear It’s not a masterpiece but it’s not like it’s replacing one either or energy to build something that is memorable It doesn’t happen often for a reason At least they could have included a brick and block foundation which would be more fitting with the area.Nicer looking also it is not going to win any architecture prizes but it definitely fits in the neighborhood – and possibly even makes it better The cornice details and two over two windows are a nod to the historic context so I’m not sure what your objection is This project is a net positive for the neighborhood in many ways Love the cornices – a really nice touch to keep the project connected in character Fully agree that this is a net positive for the neighborhood that’s a tone-deaf quote that isnt going to make many friends in the neighborhood don’t want their historic neighborhood to look “brand new” Pangburn has won Golden Hammer awards for his historic renovation work I’m sure the quote was out of context I am very happy to see those condemned units GONE and very troubled to read what the replacements will cost desperately needs affordable housing for the many many homeless folks who are struggling on the streets Can we please cease striving for the almighty dollar at the expense of our fellow humans? Seeing as “Church Hill North” is just the gentrified name developers gave this area to make it more appealing to white residents I’m not surprised that these will continue to be the same cookie-cutter overpriced homes that are keeping real Richmond residents from staying in their own neighborhoods I’m glad the city is getting rid of this condemned eyesore and they also will be getting a new section of sidewalk too Also the city will be getting more tax revenue from the city block with the new homes I’m a bit surprised they didn’t try making the new buildings three stories tall might have kept this development from being three stories I wonder if there would have been neighborhood pushback regarding scale A woods fire that occurred on Eden Church Road was contained and extinguished by the Shine Fire Department Shine Fire and EMS say that around 1:05 p.m. Car 5 arrived on scene and was advised of a small woods fire and signal upgrades on SR 2040 Section A23 (Lebanon Church Road/Curry Hollow Road) from the intersection of Ceco Drive to the intersection of 2040 (Broughton Road) & Curry Road & Horning Road for an approximate length of 2.21 miles Baldwin boroughs and South Park Township in Allegheny County  There will be widening at Glenburn Drive and Pleasant Hills Boulevard to construct new Eastbound/Westbound left turn lanes into both intersections from SR 2040 Similar widening will take place between the SR 51 cloverleaf interchange and Bliss Drive Widening at this location is for new left-turn lanes from SR 2040 into Green Drive and Bliss Drive Additional widening will take place at Keeport Drive and Keenan Drive for a new left-turn lane into Keeport Drive from SR 2040 Other construction work includes resurfacing installation of stormwater management facilities Right-of-Way acquisition will consist of small strip takes on the frontage of parcels along the corridor in the widening sections  Traffic through the construction project is anticipated to utilize a combination of short-term flagging operations and one-lane long term setups PennDOT District 11 held a public meeting in 2021 to discuss the ​​Lebanon Church Road Improvement Project Click the button below to view a PDF of the presentation 2025; passing away at home surrounded by his family after a life richly lived in service and kindness to parents Doris Sandidge Wood and Paul Junior Wood After graduating from Lynn View High School in 1972 he began work at Eastman where he worked in Fire Maintenance until his retirement in 2006 He went on to work for the City of Church Hill as Fire Chief and Building Inspector until his full retirement in September 2019 after which he spent his time being the best husband He was a member of Boones Creek Christian Church David was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing with his grandsons and also enjoyed rocking his granddaughter on his porch He was a skilled self-taught carpenter and enjoyed mission work and helping anyone who needed it David was a mentor who loved sharing his knowledge and experience His greatest strength was compassion and caring for co-workers and Pamela Fink (Mike); and several nieces and nephews The family will receive friends from 4-6:00 pm on Monday A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 6:00 pm with Pastor Bryan Orchard and Pastor Ben Cole officiating You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience For decades I have visited Christ Episcopal Church a beautiful Gothic Revival church that sits dramatically on a little hill at the crossroads of Miss The church is in the heart of a very historic community called Church Hill For decades I have wanted Christ Church to be restored Monthly worship services did take place there when Christ Church celebrated its 200th anniversary with more than 300 people in attendance various church leaders decided to take the leap Tate was in the construction business before becoming a successful moviemaker He knows how to get things done by the best craftsmen Then came the restoration of the remainder of the building the church now looks almost like it looked when it was new in 1858 Additions to the church include central air and heat a new handicapped ramp and a new handrail for the front steps Christ Church will host a free celebratory concert of Easter-related music by professional musicians who are in Natchez for a performance of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.” Both the concert and the worship service are called “Resurrection Sunday A Celebration of Eternal Life.” We’ll be celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the tomb and the resurrection/restoration of Christ Episcopal Church We invite you to join us for the concert and the worship service This will definitely be an Easter to remember Monday’s SWAC college basketball lineup has lots in store Among those contests is the Southern Jaguars squaring off… Ranked squads are on the Monday college basketball schedule in two games including the Wake Forest Demon Deacons… Monday’s college basketball schedule has several interesting games including the matchup between the McNeese Cowboys and the Stephen… which includes the Tampa Bay Lightning taking on the Florida Panthers Top-25 teams will take the court across two games on Monday’s college basketball slate Adams County residents: Could you live with once-a-week garbage pick up if it would save you significantly on your monthly garbage collection bill View Results We have the address for the funeral home & the family on file If you're not happy with your card we'll send a replacement or refund your money Marilyn Regina Wright affectionately known as “Merl” or “Merl Jean” was born on October 18, 1958, in Chestertown, MD to Janet Rochester and the late John Rochester Sr. Marilyn passed away peacefully surrounded by family... View Obituary & Service Information Wright created this Life Tributes page to make it easy to share your memories Marilyn Regina Wright affectionately known as “Merl.. Made with love by funeralOne UR Women’s basketball teams set for NCAAs; Joann Fabrics closing; Making A Difference: Ronald McDonald House A new café is headed to Church Hill North near Bon Secours Urgent Care at 2600 Nine Mile Road Café is opening early this summer and is taking over the spot once occupied by Rise Café Café is opening early this summer and is taking over the spot once occupied by Rise Café (which closed last year) in Church Hill The new café is a partnership between the Bon Secours Sarah Garland Jones Center for Healthy Living, Urban Hang Suite and the Virginia Black Restaurant Experience. Located inside the Bon Secours Sarah Garland Jones Center for Healthy Living the café aims to serve as a “third space,” as more than just a place to eat — it will also be a space of empowerment showcasing and uplifting women of color in the food and beverage industry The new cafe is a partnership between the Bon Secours Sarah Garland Jones Center for Healthy Living Urban Hang Suite and the Virginia Black Restaurant Experience the first Black woman to receive a medical license in Virginia The name also aims to honor the True Reformers the Black-owned business and banking collective that championed financial independence and community growth in the early 20th century The new café will also bring a much-needed space for healthy food to the neighborhood Urban Hang Suite is a staple in Richmond’s Jackson Ward at 304 E Besides serving coffee and breakfast dishes Urban Hang Suite is also known as being a social space to gather people together for community and connection The Virginia Black Restaurant Experience is dedicated to uplifting Black-owned restaurants and recently wrapped up the Richmond Black Restaurant Experience last week we recognize that the factors driving individual and community health extend far beyond the walls of our hospitals — they are deeply influenced by the environments and connections that surround us Café to the Bon Secours Sarah Garland Jones Center for Healthy Living,” Becky Clay Christensen executive director of community health for Bon Secours Richmond “By providing a place for nourishment and conversation Café will help strengthen relationships and contribute to a healthier A “third space” is a location that’s not home or work but a tertiary spot where someone finds their community The space becomes a destination where a group of people engage intentionally More details on the menu and opening festivities will be coming at a later date TBT El Gallo is a Vaquero-inspired Mexican restaurant and bar that opened in the former Kreggers at Hand space at 2614 W. Cary St. Read the story. New Vietnamese restaurant Rice Field is now open in North Chesterfield at 9031 W. Broad St., from the owners of Pho Thien Phat. Read the story. Chez Nous, a wine bar and shop, is now open at 6 W. Cary St. in downtown Richmond. Read the story. Petit Four, a bakery from Jardin restaurant owner Donnie Glass, is now open at 1 N. Lombardy St. Read the story. Shirley's is a new fine dining restaurant at the Hotel Petersburg in Petersburg. Read the story. Brazen, which focuses on braised dishes, opened at 2028 W. Cary St. Read the story. The first Sweetgreen for the Richmond area has opened in Carytown at 3502 W. Cary St. Read the story. Ugly Dumpling is now open at 1601 Willow Lawn Drive, #840. Read the story. The Fishin’ Pig, a popular Farmville barbecue and fried seafood spot, has opened its first Richmond outpost at 4028 Cox Road, Suite J in Glen Allen. Read the story. 7 Brew drive-thru has opened a second location in Midlothian at 11601 Midlothian Tpke. Read the story. Ripple Ray’s is a Grateful Dead-themed bar that has opened in Carytown at 3123 W. Cary St. Read the story. Torch Kitchen + Bar is now open in Midlothian serving Louisiana fare with a twist at 2077 Walmart Way. Read the story. Shawarma Inc is now open in former Lebanese Bakery spot, serving shawarma sandwiches, falafel and fatayer, which is a savory meat pie, among other dishes. 6215 W. Broad St. Read the story. Cava has opened a location in Glen Allen at 9964 Brook Road. Read the story. Roots Natural Kitchen opened its third Richmond-area location in January in Midlothian. Read the story. French pastry shop Whisk opened a café in the Library of Virginia. Read the story. A new Chipotle Mexican Grill is now open in Midlothian at 13651 Lake Eloise Loop. Read the story. The Smoothie Spot is now open at Gayton Crossing at 9782 Gayton Road. Read the story. mlindemon@timesdispatch.com Supper Club's new Midlothian location is twice as large as the original and offers made-to-order sandwiches Two Lucky AF locations in the works: one for Forest Hill Avenue how to try the caviar trend at Richmond restaurants Church Hill’s Sub Rosa Bakery suffered a debilitating fire a few days short of Thanksgiving The owners are in the process of b… Some heavy-hitters will proceed to the next round The Smoothie Spot has opened its new location in Gayton Crossing at 9782 Gayton Road The owners of Pho Thien Phat have opened a new Vietnamese restaurant in North Chesterfield Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device of Church Hill gained her Heavenly reward on Wednesday She was born to her loving parents Grant Kelsey Clonce and Ruth Adams Clonce in Kingsport She was a graduate of Dobyns Bennett High School and cherished her upbringing in the Borden Mill Village community a place she often liked to reminisce about and visit She treasured the time she got to spend in the “country” near Clinch Mountain visiting her paternal grandparents in the summer having her bags packed and ready for a train ride to Washington to visit her maternal grandparents and family there she took the opportunity to move to Washington working for the FBI in various clerical roles she moved back to Church Hill and married the love of her life whom she loved unconditionally for 56 years She later worked for the Kingsport Press for several years prior to her wonderful retirement together with Jay she and Jay lovingly raised 3 children: Sherry She was devoted to her family and loved traveling over the years She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren She was a woman of faith and instilled this in her family She had a remarkable sense of style and never left the house without looking her best Betty was a beautiful lady and her soul and love for her family shined brighter She was so very proud of each and every one of them She was a true giver and always took time to make everyone in her family feel special and loved She was an expert gift giver on holidays and birthdays She loved watching the smile on everyone’s face as they opened what she had meticulously searched for on the special occasion Bringing joy and excitement filled her heart keeping this in the forefront of everything she did She brought great pride and joy to everyone she knew.  Betty is preceded in death by her loving husband of 56 years She was an adored “Mamawsh” to her great-grandchildren The family would like to extend sincere appreciation to her care team at Caris Healthcare We are grateful to all who contributed to her care Thank you to the dedicated staff of Amedisys Home Health A special thank you to caregivers Janie and Wanda for their support Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday 2025 where she will be laid to rest beside Jay at East Lawn Memorial Park in Kingsport with Pastor Jeff Strong officiating Pallbearers will be children and grandchildren memorial contributions can be made in Betty’s name to the American Heart Association or the American Stroke Association Fifteen counties, including Trigg County, and three cities will receive a share of $8.2 million for critical bridge projects Governor Andy Beshear said Thursday that this marks the second round of funding from the newly established County and City Bridge Improvement Program He announced that Logan County will receive $600,000 to replace a bridge on Liberty Church Road while Fulton County will get $980,000 for two projects to replace and reopen bridges on Sawmill Road and Crutchfield Road including $450,000 allocated to Trigg County Fiscal Court for bridge repairs on Pleasant Hill Church Road The cities awarded funding include Erlanger the County and City Bridge Improvement Program will offer additional funding opportunities in future rounds to ensure more local bridges receive essential upgrades Local governments seeking future funding are encouraged to reach out to the Department of Rural and Municipal Aid or their local Department of Highways district office for more information.