60+ Women-Owned Businesses to Check Out in Downtown Richmond

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Owner: Emily Smith

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Neighborhood: Arts District

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What You'll Find: A nonprofit arts organization founded to empower artists’ ideas and voices.

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Owner: Katherine Bowles

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Neighborhood: Monroe Ward

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What You'll Find: Curated collection antiques, gifts and accessories.

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Owner: Nadira Chase

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Neighborhood: Shockoe Bottom

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What You'll Find: Natural products like bath bombs, hair care, skincare sets and more.

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Owner: Glenda Kotchish

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Neighborhood: Manchester

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What You'll Find: 4 galleries and 80 artists' studios full of art and hand made creations.

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Owner: Ashley Williams

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Neighborhood: Shockoe Slip

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What You'll Find at BareSOUL Yoga: A yoga and meditation studio offering space for the mind, body, soul and community.

What You'll Find at The Well Collective: A wellness center offering holistic healing services, workshops and space rentals.

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Find more information here and more about The Well Collective here!

Owner: Sara Nass

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Neighborhood: Manchester

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What You'll Find: Delicious brews, great views of the city, and tons of fun in their game room.

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Owner: Anne Poarch

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Neighborhood: Shockoe Slip

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What You'll Find: A chance for recreation, exercise, and good times while exploring our beautiful city from a unique perspective.

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Owner: Donna Scott-Dadzie

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Neighborhood: Shockoe Bottom

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What You'll Find: Tasty African Caribbean fusion cuisine with a hot late night experience.

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Owner: Noelle Parent

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Neighborhood: Monroe Ward

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What You'll Find: The only consignment and sample bridal boutique located in Richmond.

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Owner: Krystle Dandridge

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Neighborhood: Shockoe Slip

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What You'll Find: A bookstore that provides readers with an experience that centers Black, indigenous and people-of-color authors, a bar that sells wine by the bottle, tastings, author events, quarterly book subscription boxes, a Book Bar Book Club and more.

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Owner: Lily Fasil

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Neighborhood: Jackson Ward

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What You'll Find: Authentic Ethiopian cuisine, pastries and beverages in a cozy environment.

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Owner: Lauren Frisby

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Neighborhood: Jackson Ward

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What You'll Find: Customer favorites like coconut pie and salmon paninis along with signature vegan sweets and jar desserts.

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Owner: Debbie Jackson

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Neighborhood: Jackson Ward

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What You'll Find: Gourmet grilled cheese paninis with vegan and dairy options, house made soups and sweet treats.

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Owner: Whitney Cardozo

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Neighborhood: Arts District

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What You'll Find: Seasonal French cuisine and cocktails in an elegant yet cozy setting.

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Owner: Janine Bell

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Neighborhood: Arts District

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What You'll Find: Artistic, educational experiences with high-quality art, spoken word, dance and musical performances bringing awareness to cultural roots across the African diaspora.

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Owner: Ashley Smiley

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Neighborhood: Arts District

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What You'll Find: A curated selection of the best finds for your four legged friends.

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Owner: Theresa Headen

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Neighborhood: Arts District

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What You'll Find: A from-scratch restaurant focusing on dairy and gluten-free dishes.

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Owner: Amanda Gilman

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Neighborhood: Arts District

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What You'll Find: Highly desired womens fashion pieces with limited quantities.

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Owner: Lee Matalone

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Neighborhood: Arts District

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What You'll Find: A private floral studio crafting modern arrangements for everyone.

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Owner: Kelly Justice

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Neighborhood: Shockoe Slip

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What You'll Find: A staple RVA bookstore with an endless selection of books ranging from fiction, nonfiction and more.

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Founder: Amanda Robinson

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Neighborhood: Jackson Ward

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What You'll Find: An arts center, museum, gallery, venue, and community space all-in-one.

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Owner: Ariane McKeller Crosby

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Neighborhood: Shockoe Bottom

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What You'll Find: A seasonal plant pop-up shop offering potted plants, accessories and care instruction.

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Owner: Brandi Battle-Brown

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Neighborhood: Jackson Ward

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What You'll Find: A buzzing bar and grill with breakfast, lunch, and dinner options aside a market with to-go options and juices.

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Owner: Jenn Braswell

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Neighborhood: Monroe Ward

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What You'll Find: An inclusive, indoor cycling environment featuring Black instructors and hip hop music with package offers and single sessions starting at only $20.

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Owner: Nar Hovnanian

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Neighborhood: Shockoe Bottom

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What You'll Find: A Jewish/African deli and coffee shop by day and culinary journey through two robust cultures by night.

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Owner: Amy Cabaniss

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Neighborhood: Monroe Ward

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What You'll Find: A new and elevated take on your favorite Southern dishes like fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits and more.

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Owner: Mela Jones

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Neighborhood: Shockoe Bottom

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What You'll Find: Fresh-made, frozen and grab & go meals making it a great choice if you’re looking for a delicious, ready-to-heat lunch or dinner.

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Owners: Tiffany Cole and Adrienne Cole Johnson

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Neighborhood: Shockoe Bottom

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What You'll Find: An industrial, artistic and soulful event space at the 17th Street Market.

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Owner: Jevata Herman Bagby

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Neighborhood: Jackson Ward

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What You'll Find:

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Find more information about Lily Black here and more about Canvas the Salon here!

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Owner: Jennie Carbone

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Neighborhood: Jackson Ward

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What You'll Find: A historic event venue with striking original windows, exposed brick, lofty ceilings, and modern amenities.

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Owner: Katrina Pascal

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Neighborhood: Monroe Ward

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What You'll Find: An upscale and chic salon featuring Pascal's go-to styling and 20+ years of experience in the hair care business.

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Owner: Velma Johnson

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Neighborhood: Jackson Ward

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What You'll Find: A family-owned and operated business in the Historic Jackson Ward neighborhood with a menu full of mouth-watering favorites like catfish, corn muffins, and peach cobbler.

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Owner: Princess Harris

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Neighborhood: Shockoe Bottom

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What You'll Find: A from-scratch kitchen with entrees such as cajun honey fried lobster tails and crab meat stuffed lamb chops.

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Owner: Christine Wansleben

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Neighborhood: Shockoe Slip

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What You'll Find: One-of-a-kind culinary experiences through cooking classes, virtual events and private events.

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Owner: Lake Stepehens

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Neighborhood: Arts District

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What You'll Find: A different kind of tattoo experience, to heal your soul and cultivate growth and art within one’s life.

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Owner: Lorna Bedford

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Neighborhood: Financial District

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What You'll Find: A colorful and cozy spot offering global street food with Asian and American influences using fresh ingredients in dishes like Duck Bao Buns, Sashimi, Bulgogi BBQ, Vietnamese Spring Rolls and more.

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Owner: Mahri Jones

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Neighborhood: Arts District

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What You'll Find: A craft hair salon offering top-tier services to anyone with hair.

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Owner: Erin Kennedy

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Neighborhood: Shockoe Bottom

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What You'll Find: Deliciously tasty oatmeal cream pies that will leaving you saying 'OMG!'

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Owner: Katie Ukrop

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Neighborhood: Arts District

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What You'll Find: One of the nation's most beloved, boutique hotels with a gallery and gift shop full of work from local and international artists.

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Owner: Jean Boone

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Neighborhood: Monroe Ward

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What You'll Find: A free, weekly newspaper that aims to break down the barriers between readers and the news.

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Owner: Liz Kincaid

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Neighborhood: Arts District

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What You'll Find at And Dim Sum: A fun take on Modern Chinese with creative cocktails.

What You'll Find at Bar Solita: Vacation vibes and flavorful dishes from all over the world.

What You'll Find at Tarrant's Cafe: Upscale American in a cozy former pharmacy with tin ceilings, wooden booths & chandeliers.

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Find more information about And Dim Sum here, more about Bar Solita here, and more about Tarrant's Cafe here!

Owner: Svetlana Green

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Neighborhood: Arts District

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What You'll Find: Locally sourced fresh and preserved floral arrangements and stems.

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Owner: Susan Gaible

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Neighborhood: Shockoe Bottom

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What You'll Find: A studio and gallery showcasing and selling the ceramic works of 30+ regional artists.

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Owner: Jennie Skinner

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Neighborhood: Financial District

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What You'll Find: A coffee roastery featuring locally made pastries with gluten free options, freshly prepared sandwiches and creative coffee drinks.

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Owner: Karen Negvesky

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Neighborhood: Jackson Ward

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What You'll Find: Seasonal small plates influenced by Mexican flavors and traditions.

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Owner: Shane Roberts-Thomas

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Neighborhood: Jackson Ward

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What You'll Find: Your favorite dishes from the South like fried okra, shrimp po' boys, catfish and more.

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Owner: Angela Petruzzelli

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Neighborhood: Shockoe Slip

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What You'll Find: Fresh and delicious puglia-style lasagna bolognese, pasta, pastries, sandwiches and desserts.

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Owner: Kellie Mega

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Neighborhood: Shockoe Slip

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What You'll Find: Unique workouts formatted to target a different human body energy system with each class.

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Owner: Katrina Giavos

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Neighborhood: Monroe Ward and Manchester

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What You'll Find: Gourmet Greek products, prepared foods, baked goods, beer, wine and more.

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Owner: Sara Ayyash

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Neighborhood: Jackson Ward

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What You'll Find: A premier bakery specializing in one-of-a-kind cakes and confections of all kinds.

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Owner: Ashley Hawkins

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Neighborhood: Manchester

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What You'll Find: Nonprofit arts center with studio access for artists of all levels, plus classes, exhibits & a shop.

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Owner: Sabrina Fitz

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Neighborhood: Shockoe Bottom

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What You'll Find: 40+ ice cream flavors, coffee and more sweet treats.

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Owner: Taryn Wynn

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Neighborhood: Financial District

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What You'll Find: An ice cream making workshop that focuses on teaching customers how to create premium ice creams from scratch.

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Owner: Kathleen Richardson

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Neighborhood: Shockoe Slip

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What You'll Find: Locally sourced and organic foods, fair trade coffees and teas and a cozy atmosphere.

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Owner: Kelli Lemon

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Neighborhood: Arts District

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What You'll Find: A social café offering culture and connection to go with your Boss Latte.

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Owner: Deborah Boschen

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Neighborhood: Arts District

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What You'll Find: Sustainable and designer women's clothing and accessories.

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Owner: Robin Moser

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Neighborhood: Jackson Ward

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What You'll Find: Specially curated local goods that will stand the test of time.

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Owner: Whitney Kuhn

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Neighborhood: Monroe Ward

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What You'll Find: Thoughtfully sourced goods at affordable prices in a cozy Monroe Ward storefront.

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Owner: Brianna Earl

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Neighborhood: Shockoe Slip

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What You'll Find: Custom candle creations made for you by you! Pick your vessel, choose your favorite scent and enjoy complimentary wine with your candlemaking experience.

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Find more information here!

Email us at contactus@venturerichmond.com.

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Written by Hunter Bonniwell