Manchester in autumn is a wonderful place to be. Driving south on the Manchester bridge gives you a beautiful view of Belle Isle as the burnt orange leaves slowly drop from the island’s trees. Roll down your windows and feel the invigorating chill of the fall air as you make your way into the neighborhood. Maybe you’re on your way home, or driving to work with an extra-large hot latte in your cup holder; perhaps you’re going gift shopping before picking up a cake for your “friends-giving” get-together. Whatever the case, stick around a while because we’re gonna tell you how to get a head start on the holidays, right here in Manchester.

JUMP TO: Party Venues & Catering | Sweet Treats | Handmade Gifts | Local Markets

Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

Group at Copper Hall — Copper Hall Event Venue

Hosting a party can feel like a full-time job. Finding the right venue and food to accommodate all your illustrious guests, making sure everything goes off without a hitch. It’s enough to overwhelm even the most capable planners. Well then, let’s put your mind at ease. Manchester is home to one of the best event spaces in the city, Copper Hall. Located in the original 1920s Mechanics and Merchants Bank building, this event venue is perfectly picturesque for any party you’re preparing.

But no event space would be complete without its event coordinator, and Ciera Pope is exactly who you want in your corner. She has over a decade of experience as a wedding and event planner, which she now brings to the magic of Copper Hall as its owner and managing partner.

“We have a bank vault, and the bank vault was kind of the first thing that people were like, ‘Oh, we can use this.’ We’ve had a few people do a photo booth. I came in one day, and a client had a full grass wall with a neon sign, a bench–like the whole nine inside our vault. And that’s where her guests took pictures during their wedding reception.”

Buildings like this aren’t as common anymore in other cities. On a trip to Charlotte, North Carolina, a city lined with modern, glass architecture, Ciera stayed at an Airbnb in what used to be one of Charlotte’s first department stores. Converted to luxury condos thirty years ago, the building still maintains elements from its original construction. Whereas most developers would rather level the plot and start fresh, the century-old facade and breathtaking stonework are what imbue the building with all of its character. Without Richmond’s protections against such demolition, Copper Hall could’ve been lost ages ago.

Ciera Pope at Copper Hall — Ciera Pope, owner of Copper Hall

Buildings like this aren’t as common anymore in other cities. On a trip to Charlotte, North Carolina, a city lined with modern, glass architecture, Ciera stayed at an Airbnb in what used to be one of Charlotte’s first department stores. Converted to luxury condos thirty years ago, the building still maintains elements from its original construction. Whereas most developers would rather level the plot and start fresh, the century-old facade and breathtaking stonework are what imbue the building with all of its character. Without Richmond’s protections against such demolition, Copper Hall could’ve been lost ages ago.

“I had an even greater appreciation for the historical elements of my venue [after that].” These neighborhood monuments have a way of bridging the present with the past in ways that new construction would only diminish.

Entering Copper Hall — Copper Hall Event Venue

“I’ve had clients who have come in, and they were patrons of this bank. So I learned that this was a historically Black-owned bank at a point in time. And, you know, being a Black woman running a Black-owned bank in a historically Black neighborhood, that feels good.”

Though Manchester is rich in historical beauty, it’s not without its updates.

“Manchester is definitely a mix. I feel like there’s a melting pot now, because you have a lot of homes, a lot of spaces that are older or traditional, and then you have a lot of that new construction that’s happening in there. So I think there’s a good mix of the two.” As long as we continue to appreciate the significance of these timeless buildings around us, Manchester will forever charm those who come here.

Who doesn’t love a party? Dancing, chatting, and you can’t forget eating! Dare I say, food can make or break your event, so you’d better get the right caterer. If you live in Manchester, Stella’s is a name you surely know. Stella’s began as a Greek restaurant but expanded into a franchise of local gourmet groceries, selling wine, freshly-made sandwiches, baked goods, and much more. True to its roots as a fan favorite eatery, Stella’s Grocery continues to cater events with their wide range of platters and other yummy offerings. Their hummus and tzatziki taste good with whatever you pile on your plate. They serve everything from charcuterie to casseroles, and you can never go wrong with their Greek chicken salad. It’s an ideal buffet for a chill afternoon get-together, but also makes a great spread for weddings. Mix and match their menu for your event to guarantee a good time. Even if you’re not the party planning type, Stella’s is a great place to stop by for a host gift. We already mentioned their vast selection of wines, but they have olive oil, cocktail napkins, gift bags, and cards too!

Enter Copper Hall Interior — Copper Hall Event Venue

Just Desserts

Inside Shcarolina’s Cakes Bakery — Scharolina’s Cakes

As big or small as your holiday parties are, they could always use something a little sweet. Scharolina’s Cakes is a newly opened bakery that makes custom confections for any occasion. You can follow the delicious scent of fresh cake and frosting down Hull Street and spend hours just staring at the sweets behind the glass. She specializes in cakes (classic cakes, cake pops, and cake jars), but her menu doesn’t stop there. Desserts like brownies, bread pudding, cinnamon buns, and strawberry shortcake are also popular with her customers. Your family will be skipping turkey on Thanksgiving to get a taste of her cheesecake. Scharolina’s Cakes will no doubt satisfy your sweet tooth, and the best part is you can always go back for more.

Scharolina’s Cakes is your classic neighborhood bakery where that “open” sign means anyone’s welcome to come in for a ready-made sweet treat. Sweet Fix, however, doesn’t have a brick-and-mortar location, but that doesn’t mean their cakes are any less spectacular. Sweet Fix crafts beautiful tiered wedding cakes with the kind of vivid detail you want for your special day. But what they’re more known for is sculpting custom 3D cakes that will actually make you ask yourself, “cake or fake?” Sports cars, record players, comic books; their treats will trick your eye into thinking you’re about to dig into, of all things, a hiking boot. Check out their gallery and you’ll see what I mean. Impressively realistic visuals require time and attention to complete, which is why they need a minimum of two weeks’ notice for any custom creation. The inquiry form to start a commission is on their website, and visit their FAQ page for any questions you might have. Every cake is a blank canvas, and they just can’t wait to get started on yours.

Entering Shcarolina’s Cakes — Entering Scharolina’s Cakes

Thanksgiving is fast approaching, but the heavy spending holidays are close behind, and it’s never too early to start shopping for gifts. Heck, it’s not even that early. There are lots of places to get generic, crowd-pleasing presents, but if you want to find something special for the ones you love the most, Manchester is the place to look.

Presents with Personality

Jewelry is an evergreen gift for partners, parents, or anyone who appreciates a little dazzle. As the old saying goes, diamonds are forever, but Linda Allard Jewelry has much more than diamonds. Bracelets, rings, and necklaces set with a beautiful variety of gemstones. Great for a night out, a holiday party, or simply catching up with a friend, these glamorous pieces are a statement anywhere, anytime. They even have a collection for pet-lovers, because who doesn’t want to keep their furry friends close to their hearts? Visit their website and check out their selection of gold and silver pet pendants.

Jewelry Shopping at ArtWorks — Linda Allard Jewelry

It takes a steady hand and a good eye to make high-quality jewelry, and that can certainly be said of Christian Keener, owner and sole operator of Precision Jewelry Service. Christian has been repairing jewelry and crafting custom pieces for over 30 years. He’s seen and fixed it all. Heirlooms passed down through generations are uniquely prized possessions, but decades of wear and tear can take a toll, even on the most durable pieces. Don’t just leave your family’s legacy at home to collect dust. Christian will have any piece looking as good as new. You know, it might not be a bad idea to sneak your wife’s broken bracelet over to Christian for a little TLC. That sure would make a nice holiday surprise, don’t you think? And if you don’t have any heirlooms. No problem! Christian makes custom pieces, so he can help you craft your own timeless jewelry.

Metalworking at ArtWorks — Precision Jewelry Service

Both of these amazing jewelers operate their businesses out of studios inside Art Works, Manchester’s local art gallery and studio space. Also located in Art Works is Tula Woodworking, run by Blake Davis, who handcrafts sturdy, one-of-a-kind furniture that you can purchase on Etsy. Only using hand tools to cut, carve, and shape his work, these pieces are delicately crafted and made to fit your lifestyle. His glowing five-star reviews speak for themselves, calling his work “absolutely perfect” and “beyond our expectations,” even going so far as to say “This is truly an heirloom piece of furniture.” But not only do his customers gush about his craftsmanship, Blake’s personality and customer service are held in equally high esteem. Blake will treat you with the same care and attention as each of his projects. Simple yet elegant, his maple dining benches, mahogany coffee tables, hand-carved ladles, and custom wood cabinets will leave you speechless with their humble luxury and will last you a lifetime.

It’s hard to find high-quality furniture, but not in Manchester. Besides Tula Woodworking, you can shop tons of comfy-casual everyday furniture at TXTUR’s Richmond Showroom. Right off of Hull Street, TXTUR is a showroom, restaurant, and bar all rolled into one. Connected to Stock Bistro, you can enjoy a meal on any one of their sectionals, chairs, or ottomans as if you’re relaxing at home. It is important to the TXTUR team that you experience these pieces before you buy them. Handmade in Roanoke, Virginia, this furniture is expertly crafted in the commonwealth. Give yourself a present this holiday season; get together with your better half and go shopping for a new couch at TXTUR. Maybe sip a couple cocktails while you’re deciding which one’s more comfortable. It’s not just dinner, and it’s not just furniture shopping; it’s an experience you can’t get anywhere else.

Art Precision Jewelry Craft — Precision Jewelry Service

Learn more about Manchester artists

Gifts Galore!

There is no better feeling than supporting your community by buying locally made products, and the Richmond Makers Market is a hotspot for local artists of all kinds to come together just for you. Hosted monthly inside Basic City Beer Co.’s Manchester taproom, you can browse everything from handmade ceramic mugs to custom clocks. It is a treasure trove of cutesy decorations, jewelry, art prints, baked goods, and more. One of the best features of the RVA Makers Market is the community it fosters. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to stay as long as they want, whether they’re shopping or not. First and foremost, it’s a place to gather and meet new people. Now, if you find the perfect candle or a colorful skein of yarn that your friend would just love for Christmas, well, that’s just a nice bonus.

While the Richmond Makers Market is a staple of Basic City Beer Co., some local markets only pop up once a year around the holidays. Studio Two Three is gearing up to host their seasonal winter market featuring over a hundred local artists. You’ll walk out of there with gifts for everyone on your list. And many more for yourself. Located in their event space on the second floor of Studio Two Three, it’s almost overwhelming how much there is to choose from. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., starting November 29th, you’ll be able to revisit the market as much as you want until December 23rd. So don’t worry about shopping for everything in one trip.

While you’re out, you should make a trip over to Art Works and check out their Made in RVA Holiday Shop. Just in time for Black Friday, the shop opens up on Friday, November 28th at 11 a.m. Your kids will love the crafts and you’ll love the shopping. If you stick around ’til 6 p.m., you can enjoy their monthly 4th Friday gallery opening. Go store your new gifts in the car, and come back for a night of art, live music, and refreshments. Now that’s how you do Black Friday right. The shop ends December 28th, so come back any time before the holidays and see what treasures you might have missed.

The holidays are a time to appreciate those around us. Two blocks or two states away, the people we love never leave our hearts. The season is a reminder to express our love for one another in whatever way we can. Gifts, treats, but most importantly, the time we spend together are what keep these relationships alive and meaningful. Manchester is home to many proud local businesses whose purpose is to cultivate togetherness. These aren’t big box retailers; these are real people who work hard to give their community something special. And this season is a reminder to appreciate them, too.

So whether you’re looking for that perfect gift, getting together over a delicious meal, or just celebrating the season here in Manchester, we hope you enjoy every minute of it.