New Businesses on Broad Street in Downtown Richmond

Last year, Venture Richmond was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development to help recruit new tenants to Broad Street in the Downtown Richmond Arts District.

​

"The way that Venture Richmond approached marketing and filling high profile vacancies in the Arts District was a great example of a DHCD Resurgence Grant project. I was particularly impressed with how they worked in partnership with Co-Star and the Metropolitan Business League to bring the right people together: landlords and tenants," notes DHCD's Virginia Main Street State Coordinator, Courtney Mailey.

​

Venture Richmond is excited to announce the ten new tenants who have been awarded $10,000 each for moving in and opening their business between January 1, 2022 and May 15, 2022. Venture Richmond partnered with the Metropolitan Business League (MBL) to help recruit existing small, women, and minority (SWaM) and immigrant-owned businesses for the grant.

​

The new tenants are:

• Birth in Color RVA
• Charged Up
• Jolene
• Lavender Social Club
• Myselfierva
• Nurturing Minds, Inc.
• Rushing Blooms
• RVA Hair Warehouse
• Sarah’s Den
• Taylor’s Barbershop

These businesses will join many galleries, retailers, restaurants, and small businesses who already call Broad Street home and are part of the Downtown Richmond Arts District. “We are aware of at least 5 other businesses who have leased on Broad this year. The momentum on Broad Street is growing,” said Lucy Meade, Director of Economic Development & Community Relations.

​

Tell us about your business. When you opened, why you started it, etc.

Our organization, Birth in Color RVA, was founded in 2019 with the goal of raising awareness surrounding maternal health and reproductive justice. Birth in Color RVA was founded because there is a staggering disparity in maternal healthcare for black women in the United States. Evidence shows higher rates of positive birth outcomes for birthing people who have been supported by doulas, or empowered through other forms of education and advocacy during pregnancy and the postpartum period. At Birth in Color RVA, we train birth and postpartum doulas with a comprehensive, culturally competent training program so that they can support birthing people of color in our communities.

​

What attracted your business to the Broad Street’s Arts District?

Birth in Color RVA recently moved to the Broad Street Arts District in early 2022. Our organization is fully community-focused, so being established in an area that is accessible, familiar, and easy to find for our clients was very important to us. We are located in Jackson Ward, a historically African-American neighborhood. The community and celebration of Black culture in this neighborhood attracted us to this section of the Broad Street Arts District.

​

What do you like most about the neighborhood?

Jackson-Ward has deep rooted history in the Black community. At Birth in Color RVA we recognize that the history surrounding the treatment of Black people in the healthcare system informs how we can move forward and improve the future of maternal care through culturally-informed care and support. This neighborhood both honors the tradition of Black history and celebrates the culture of the Black community.

​

How important is the grant for your business?

Our focus is to fight for maternal health and reproductive justice. We do this through multiple avenues: we provide free classes and resources to pregnant people and new parents, we host community baby showers multiple times a year in cities across the state to provide newborn and baby supplies to expecting parents who cannot afford all of the essential resources they need. One of our biggest programs is that we train and employ doulas so that black and indigenous people can receive free doula support for their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period. With this $10,000 grant, we can provide quality resources to expectant parents in need, provide doula care to 13 clients, or train 15 new doulas to serve our community. As a community focused organization, we value the support that comes directly from our neighbors. We believe that as a community, we can truly make a positive impact and create change in the world of maternal health.

​

Website: https://birthincolorrva.org

​

Tell us about your business. When you opened, why you started it, etc.

Charged Up Flagship Store was founded to serve as the retail merchandise and clothing boutique for Charged Up Entertainment, our Richmond based entertainment company founded in 2002. We began our business to help inspire the next generation of creatives and entrepreneurs. We opened February 5th, 2022.

​

What attracted your business to the Broad Street’s Arts District?

We were attracted to the area due to the high concentration of Minority owned businesses in the area. We wanted to help contribute to the resurgence of this community.

​

What do you like most about the neighborhood?

The people. Whether it is learning about the history of Jackson Ward from the older residents or meeting someone who is visiting the region and staying in one of the numerous hotels in the area, the people we encounter help to keep each day interesting.

​

How important is the grant for your business?

The grant money has been instrumental in helping our new business get off the ground. We have primarily used the grant money to do additional renovations to our space and purchase inventory.

​

Website: www.chargedupent.com

​

Tell us about your business. When you opened, why you started it, etc.

Jolene began last year as an online pop-up, followed by a pop-up retail space, now a permanent retail space on Broad Street. I started it because I wanted to find a way to collect and sell beautiful objects by talented artists, many of whom I knew and many who I wanted to get to know and support. I also saw a gap in the market in Richmond for handmade, somewhat modern but a little Old World décor, and I thought Richmond would appreciate it.

​

What attracted your business to the Broad Street’s Arts District?

Honestly, it hadn’t really crossed my mind until a friend showed me the small space that was available at 211 W Broad. I’d also gotten to know a few of the other shop owners on the street and everybody was so lovely and welcoming, it felt like it made sense. There’s not a lot of foot traffic and it can be a hard place to have a brick and mortar sometimes, but the sense of community amongst the retailers here is strong and we send a lot of people to each other’s shops.

​

What do you like most about the neighborhood?

I like the history of the neighborhood and the architecture. It’s a beautiful tree-lined street with a rich, deep, history and it’s nice to be a part of it. It’s nice to be walkable to several restaurants and cafés on Broad Street, as well as the other shops that bring people here.

​

How important is the grant for your business?

This $10,000 grant will be very helpful to the business! We have a tiny space and a tiny team but big plans, so a shot in the arm like this will be very helpful. We want to improve the exterior of the storefront to make it more attractive on the street. We’d also like to build improved storage and shelving in the shop so that we can actually have product in the shop beyond what’s on our shelves, which will help us move more work and hopefully beef up our online sales. We’re very appreciative of the grant!

​

Website: https://jolenerva.com

​

Tell us about your business. When you opened, why you started it, etc.

Lavender Social Club officially opened on March 7, 2022. After 9 years in the Richmond salon industry, I decided it was time to go out on my own and “salon my way”. Lavender Social Club offers an inclusive, clean, community focused salon experience. It is a place where experienced hairdressers and creators come together as a team working towards their shared goals of creating art through hair. Our Craft + Your Style of Living is the goal for the client experience at LSC.

​

What attracted your business to the Broad Street’s Arts District?

The historic charm and diversity in the Richmond Arts District is exactly the kind of creative community we were seeking as we explored real estate possibilities across the city. We see hair as art, so naturally the Arts District was the place for our business. Finding inspiration in the people and community right outside your window is just the vibe that helps keep our team creatively charged and allows us to be actively engaged in supporting the neighborhood.

​

What do you like most about the neighborhood?

Proximity to some of the best and brightest new businesses Richmond has to offer. Seeing new businesses open alongside some of Richmond’s classics is an exciting place to be. We can walk to restaurants, boutiques and art exhibits. We’re now helping expose some of our existing clients to this part of town and looking forward to seeing new faces in the neighborhood walk our way.

​

How important is the grant for your business?

As a first time business owner opening during the COVID season, this grant is so important for our business. It will allow us the opportunity to get out of some of the debt we accumulated while getting the business open and provide us a little peace of mind during these first year growing pains. We’ll be completing some projects like adding vibrant new window graphics and other upgrades to improve our client experience that had to be put on hold before opening day. Financial support from the community, so we can be part of the community, is such a great offer and we’re so pleased to have been one of Venture Richmond’s grant recipients.

​

Website: www.lavendersocialclub.club

​

Tell us about your business. When you opened, why you started it, etc.

Our business is a photo art gallery event space located in the Arts District downtown. We have 15 photo booths for w/ various backdrops for family and friends to take fun photos to share on social media.

​

What attracted your business to the Broad Street’s Arts District?

I was attracted to the Broad Street area because it’s centrally located and the GRTC public transit bus from all areas of Richmond passes through the Arts District. Mainly we are walking distance from VCU, VCC and J Sargeant Reynolds Community College.

​

What do you like most about the neighborhood?

The neighborhood has diversified and continues to grow for independent business owners. Broad Street is the perfect area for MyselfiesRVA.

​

How important is the grant for your business?

Receiving this grant is extremely important to us at Myselfies. We wanted to bring a new opportunity for downtown visitors to explore art and creativity while being their own photographer. We’ve enjoyed being settled in the Arts District! With the grant, we plan on expanding our selfie booths into more interactive experiences and upgrading our streetscape.

​

Website: https://myselfies.photo/

​

Tell us about your business. When you opened, why you started it, etc.

Nurturing Minds mission is to inspire youth to be the best possible version of themselves through Education, Encouragement and Inspiration. Nurturing Minds is focused on trauma healing, restoring loss connections, and building stronger futures. Building stronger futures in our youth begins with emotional management, community engagement, and positive peer connections.

​

What attracted your business to the Broad Street’s Arts District?

We are excited to have an opportunity to provide this experience on Broad Street as it improves access to underserved youth. The Arts District also aids us in showcasing the talents of our youth through our Urban Art Gallery!

​

How important is the grant for your business?

We are so excited to be a recipient of this grant as it allows us to continue to assist families by providing affordable services and resources to families.

​

Website: https://nurturingminds.info

​

Tell us about your business. When you opened, why you started it, etc.

I started experimenting with dried flowers in the spring of 2021 while working in a local flower shop. I’ve always been sourcing flowers locally. I started with foraging while hiking then purchasing blooms and foliage from local farmers. In October of 2021, I moved into a tiny work studio in Manchester, as the flowers couldn’t fit in my apartment anymore. At the same time, I started selling my bouquets and wreaths at local markets as a vendor. In January of 2022, I left the flower shop and started freelancing for great wedding designers and working on my business full time. Moving to a space on Broad Street in May was the most exciting and scary decision for my business, but I have no regrets and am so looking forward to adding flower beauty to this neighborhood.

​

What attracted your business to the Broad Street’s Arts District?

I have been living in Jackson Ward for over 6 years. I absolutely adore this neighborhood and the character and charisma of Downtown Richmond with its unique architecture, old cobblestone streets and amazing skyline views. I never miss First Fridays and different gallery events and shows and support local businesses in every way I can. This area has so much to offer! My shop is, amazingly, a 5 minute walk from my house. This neighborhood is my home and my goal is to give this area a beautiful, but approachable, flower shop with flowers for any budget and occasion.

​

How important is the grant for your business?

This grant will allow me to expand my local flower and pottery inventory and will help with paying rent for this gorgeous gallery space at 18 West Broad St.

​

Website: https://rushingblooms.myshopify.com

​

Tell us about your business. When you opened, why you started it, etc.

RVA Hair Warehouse is a hair boutique that sells hair extensions, weaves, wigs, frontals and closures. We opened March 2022 for the purpose of providing great quality hair to the community.

​

What attracted your business to the Broad Street’s Arts District?

I was first attracted to the area since I drove down Broad Street almost everyday for work.

​

What do you like most about the neighborhood?

I always believed the district had great potential and when I found out about the history of that particular area, I was even more inspired to open a business there. One of the most attractive parts of the area is its placement in Downtown Richmond surrounded by so many other up and coming businesses.

​

How important is the grant for your business?

This grant would be greatly appreciated and necessary to furthering the development of my business. Between product, promotions, security, different pieces of equipment and other items, a grant would be beautiful to obtain at this point in order for me to allow my business to grow.

​

Website: https://rva-hair-warehouse.com

​

Tell us about your business. When you opened, why you started it, etc.

The Unique Resource Center and Sarah’s Den is re-opening to continue its mission to serve youth and families in the city, with a focus on homeless services and support, employability, and self-sufficiency. The business started in 2012 as a Clothes Closet and Resource Center but closed its operation in 2016. We reopened May 6, 2022 with a revamp to serve Richmond’s most vulnerable and offer support to our community. We are not your ordinary thrift.

​

What attracted your business to the Broad Street’s Arts District?

The Broad Street Arts District is a prime location to engage with the heart of the city and its people. The values and history of this area closely connect to our own.

​

What do you like most about the neighborhood?

The diversity and inclusion in the neighborhood has been amazing. We have built multiple relationships and partnerships in the community, and it feels like family.

​

How important is the grant for your business?

This grant is very important to us as we are revamping our service delivery. We have a focus on employability and job skills training. We will use this grant to develop infrastructure and to support training and hiring of staff who are underemployed or lack job skills.

​

Website: www.thepicf.com

​

Tell us about your business. When you opened, why you started it, etc.

Dawayne E. Taylor, founder and owner of Taylor's Barbershop, began falling in love with cutting hair as an early teen, by the grace of his father, who introduced barbering to him. From experimenting with his own hair then expanding to friends and family, Mr. Taylor continued to nurture his skillset in the dorms of Williams Hall on Virginia State University’s campus for incoming freshmen and players of the football team. In the late spring of May 2009, Mr. Taylor was able to procure an opportunity to own and operate an existing turnkey barbershop, which has since become known as Taylor’s Barbershop. Taylor's Barbershop operates on the principles of making your experience more than a haircut with great service and an upbeat atmosphere that fits the old and new school. It’s a place of relaxation, therapy and conversation for men, women and kids.

​

What attracted your business to the Broad Street’s Arts District?

I have seen Broad Street redevelop from the ICA, Ledbury, Quirk Hotel and Common House. It is a place that feels vibrant while still being a community at the same time. Being a part of Broad Street’s continued growth and restructuring means so much to Taylor’s Barbershop, being a landmark and small piece of what is currently in place and to come! We love servicing our community and the visitors who travel here for business or all of its history.

​

What do you like most about the neighborhood?

The Art District has an energy that says Richmond! From the restaurants, entertainment, fashion, art galleries, self care spaces and diversity amongst the neighbors/community, it gives me joy to be a part of it!

​

How important is the grant for your business?

The grant is really important so we can enhance barbershop furniture and pay off debt that was attributed to Covid-19. We plan to hire and create more jobs and work on expanding business.

​

Website: https://www.taylorbarbershop.com