Final 12 months, Enterprise Richmond was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Virginia Division of Housing & Neighborhood Growth to assist recruit new tenants to Broad Road within the Downtown Richmond Arts District.
“The way in which that Enterprise Richmond approached advertising and marketing and filling excessive profile vacancies within the Arts District was an amazing instance of a DHCD Resurgence Grant venture. I used to be notably impressed with how they labored in partnership with Co-Star and the Metropolitan Enterprise League to deliver the precise folks collectively: landlords and tenants,” notes DHCD’s Virginia Major Road State Coordinator, Courtney Mailey.
Enterprise Richmond is happy to announce the ten new tenants who’ve been awarded $10,000 every for shifting in and opening their enterprise between January 1, 2022, and Could 15, 2022. Enterprise Richmond partnered with the Metropolitan Enterprise League (MBL) to assist recruit current small, girls, and
minority (SWaM) and immigrant-owned companies for the grant.
The brand new tenants are:
- Delivery in Coloration RVA
- Charged Up
- Jolene
- Lavender Social Membership
- Myselfierva
- Nurturing Minds, Inc.
- Dashing Blooms
- RVA Hair Warehouse
- Sarah’s Den
- Taylor’s Barbershop
These companies will be a part of many galleries, retailers, eating places, and small companies who already name Broad Road residence and are a part of the Downtown Richmond Arts District. “We’re conscious of not less than 5 different companies who’ve leased on Broad this 12 months. The momentum on Broad Road is rising,” stated
Lucy Meade, Director of Financial Growth & Neighborhood Relations.
Meet the ten new tenants! They had been every requested a set of questions in order that we might get to know them higher.
Delivery in Coloration RVA, 115 E Broad St.
Proprietor: Kenda Sutton-el
Inform us about what you are promoting. If you opened, why you began it, and many others.
Our group, Delivery in Coloration RVA, was based in 2019 with the purpose of elevating consciousness surrounding maternal well being and reproductive justice. Delivery in Coloration RVA was based as a result of there’s a staggering disparity in maternal healthcare for black girls in the US. Proof exhibits larger charges of constructive start outcomes for birthing individuals who have been supported by doulas or empowered via different types of training and advocacy throughout being pregnant and the postpartum interval. At Delivery in Coloration RVA, we practice start and postpartum doulas with a complete, culturally competent coaching
program in order that they’ll help birthing folks of colour in our communities.
What attracted what you are promoting to the Broad Road’s Arts District?
Delivery in Coloration RVA lately moved to the Broad Road Arts District in early 2022. Our group is totally community-focused, so being established in an space that’s accessible, acquainted, and simple to seek out for our shoppers was essential to us. We’re positioned in Jackson Ward, a traditionally African-American
neighborhood. The group and celebration of Black tradition on this neighborhood attracted us to this part of the Broad Road Arts District.
What do you want most concerning the neighborhood?
Jackson-Ward has deep rooted historical past within the Black group. At Delivery in Coloration RVA we acknowledge that the historical past surrounding the remedy of Black folks within the healthcare system informs how we are able to transfer ahead and enhance the way forward for maternal care via culturally knowledgeable care and help. This neighborhood each honors the custom of Black historical past and celebrates the tradition of the Black
group.
How vital is the grant for what you are promoting?
Our focus is to battle for maternal well being and reproductive justice. We do that via a number of avenues:
we offer free lessons and assets to pregnant folks and new dad and mom; we host group child
showers a number of occasions a 12 months in cities throughout the state to supply new child and child provides to anticipating
dad and mom who can not afford all the important assets they want. One in every of our largest applications is that we
practice and make use of doulas in order that black and indigenous folks can obtain free doula help for his or her being pregnant, start, and postpartum interval. With this $10,000 grant, we are able to present high quality assets to expectant dad and mom in want, present doula care to 13 shoppers, or practice 15 new doulas to serve our
group.
As a group targeted group, we worth the help that comes instantly from our neighbors. We imagine that as a group, we are able to actually make a constructive affect and create change on the planet of maternal well being.
Web site: https://birthincolorrva.org
Charged Up, 106 W Broad St.
Proprietor: Noah Oddo
Inform us about what you are promoting. If you opened, why you began it, and many others.
Charged Up Flagship Retailer was based to function the retail merchandise and clothes boutique for Charged Up Leisure, our Richmond primarily based leisure firm based in 2002. We started our enterprise to assist encourage the subsequent technology of creatives and entrepreneurs. We opened February fifth, 2022.
What attracted what you are promoting to the Broad Road’s Arts District?
We had been drawn to the world as a result of excessive focus of Minority owned companies within the space. We needed to assist contribute to the resurgence of this group.
What do you want most concerning the neighborhood?
The folks. Whether or not it’s studying concerning the historical past of Jackson Ward from the older residents or assembly somebody who’s visiting the area and staying in one of many quite a few motels within the space, the folks we encounter assist to maintain every day fascinating.
How vital is the grant for what you are promoting?
The grant cash has been instrumental in serving to our new enterprise get off the bottom. We now have primarily used the grant cash to do extra renovations to our area and buy stock.
Web site: www.chargedupent.com
Jolene, 211 W Broad St.
Proprietor: Nolan Beck
Inform us about what you are promoting. If you opened, why you began it, and many others.
Jolene started final 12 months as an internet pop-up, adopted by a pop-up retail area, now a everlasting retail area on Broad Road. I began it as a result of I needed to discover a option to accumulate and promote lovely objects by gifted artists, lots of whom I knew and plenty of who I needed to get to know and help. I additionally noticed a spot out there in Richmond for handmade, considerably fashionable however slightly Previous-World décor, and I assumed Richmond would admire it.
What attracted what you are promoting to the Broad Road’s Arts District?
Truthfully, it hadn’t actually crossed my thoughts till a good friend confirmed me the small area that was accessible at 211 W Broad. I’d additionally gotten to know just a few of the opposite store house owners on the road and everyone was so pretty and welcoming, it felt prefer it made sense. There’s not loads of foot site visitors and it may be a tough place to have a brick and mortar typically, however the sense of group amongst the retailers right here is powerful and we ship lots of people to one another’s outlets.
What do you want most concerning the neighborhood?
I just like the historical past of the neighborhood and the structure. It’s a lovely tree-lined road with a wealthy, deep, historical past and it’s good to be part of it. It’s good to be walkable to a number of eating places and cafés on Broad Road, in addition to the opposite outlets that deliver folks right here.
How vital is the grant for what you are promoting?
This $10,000 grant will likely be very useful to the enterprise! We now have a tiny area and a tiny group however massive plans, so a shot within the arm like this will likely be very useful. We wish to enhance the outside of the storefront to make it extra engaging on the road. We’d additionally prefer to construct improved storage and shelving within the store in order that we are able to even have product within the store past what’s on our cabinets, which can assist us transfer extra work and hopefully beef up our on-line gross sales. We’re very appreciative of the grant!
Web site: https://jolenerva.com
Lavender Social Membership, 414 W Broad St.
Proprietor: Joshua Campbell
Inform us about what you are promoting. If you opened, why you began it, and many others.
Lavender Social Membership formally opened on March 7, 2022. After 9 years within the Richmond salon business, I made a decision it was time to exit alone and “salon my method”. Lavender Social Membership presents an inclusive, clear, group targeted salon expertise. It’s a place the place skilled hairdressers and creators come collectively as a group working in the direction of their shared targets of making artwork via hair. Our Craft + Your Type of Dwelling is the purpose for the shopper expertise at LSC.
What attracted what you are promoting to the Broad Road’s Arts District?
The historic allure and variety within the Richmond Arts District is strictly the sort of artistic group we had been in search of as we explored actual property potentialities throughout the town. We see hair as artwork, so naturally the Arts District was the place for our enterprise. Discovering inspiration within the folks and group proper exterior your window is simply the vibe that helps hold our group creatively charged and permits us to be actively engaged in supporting the neighborhood.
What do you want most concerning the neighborhood?
Proximity to a number of the greatest and brightest new companies Richmond has to supply. Seeing new companies open alongside a few of Richmond’s classics is an thrilling place to be. We are able to stroll to eating places, boutiques and artwork displays. We’re now serving to expose a few of our current shoppers to this a part of city and looking out ahead to seeing new faces within the neighborhood stroll our method.
How vital is the grant for what you are promoting?
As a first-time enterprise proprietor opening throughout the COVID season, this grant is so vital for our enterprise. It is going to enable us the chance to get out of a number of the debt we collected whereas getting the enterprise open and supply us slightly peace of thoughts throughout these first 12 months rising pains. We’ll be finishing some tasks like including vibrant new window graphics and different upgrades to enhance our shopper expertise that needed to be placed on maintain earlier than opening day. Monetary help from the group, so we might be a part of the group, is such an amazing supply and we’re so happy to have been considered one of Enterprise Richmond’s grant recipients.
Web site: www.lavendersocialclub.membership
MyselfiesRVA, 10-12 W Broad St.
Proprietor: John Gilliard
Inform us about what you are promoting. If you opened, why you began it, and many others.
Our enterprise is a photograph artwork gallery occasion area positioned within the Arts District downtown. We now have 15 photograph cubicles with varied backdrops for household and associates to take enjoyable images to share on social media. We began the MyselfiesRVA in June of 2021.
What attracted what you are promoting to the Broad Road’s Arts District?
I used to be drawn to the Broad Road space as a result of it’s centrally positioned and the GRTC public transit bus of Richmond passes via the Arts District. Primarily we’re strolling distance from VCU, VCC and J Sargeant Reynolds Neighborhood Faculty.
What do you want most concerning the neighborhood?
The neighborhood has diversified and continues to develop for unbiased enterprise house owners. Broad Road is the right space for MyselfiesRVA.
How vital is the grant for what you are promoting?
Receiving this grant is extraordinarily vital to us at Myselfies. We needed to deliver a brand new alternative for downtown guests to discover artwork and creativity whereas being their very own photographer. We’ve loved being settled within the Arts District! With the grant, we plan on increasing our selfie cubicles into extra interactive experiences and upgrading our streetscape.
Web site: https://myselfies.photograph/
Nurturing Minds Inc., 420 W Broad St
Govt Director, Ticeses Teasley
Inform us about what you are promoting. If you opened, why you began it, and many others.
Nurturing Minds mission is to encourage youth to be the absolute best model of themselves via Training, Encouragement and Inspiration. Nurturing Minds is targeted on trauma therapeutic, restoring loss connections, and constructing stronger futures. Constructing stronger futures in our youth begins with emotional administration, group engagement, and constructive peer connections.
What attracted what you are promoting to the Broad Road’s Arts District?
We’re excited to have a chance to supply this expertise on Broad Road because it improves entry to underserved youth. The Arts District additionally aids us in showcasing the abilities of our youth via our City Artwork Gallery!
How vital is the grant for what you are promoting?
We’re so excited to be a recipient of this grant because it permits us to proceed to help households by offering inexpensive providers and assets to households.
Web site: https://nurturingminds.information
Dashing Blooms, 18 W Broad St.
Proprietor: Svetlana Inexperienced
Inform us about what you are promoting. If you opened, why you began it, and many others.
I began experimenting with dried flowers within the spring of 2021 whereas working in an area flower store. I’ve all the time been sourcing flowers regionally. I began with foraging whereas climbing then buying blooms and foliage from native farmers. In October of 2021, I moved right into a tiny work studio in Manchester, because the flowers couldn’t slot in my condo anymore. On the identical time, I began promoting my bouquets and wreaths at native markets as a vendor. In January of 2022, I left the flower store and began freelancing for nice marriage ceremony designers and dealing on my enterprise full time. Shifting to an area on Broad Road in Could was essentially the most thrilling and scary choice for my enterprise, however I’ve no regrets and am so wanting ahead to including flower magnificence to this neighborhood.
What attracted what you are promoting to the Broad Road’s Arts District?
I’ve been dwelling in Jackson Ward for over 6 years. I completely adore this neighborhood and the character and charisma of Downtown Richmond with its distinctive structure, previous cobblestone streets and wonderful skyline views. I by no means miss First Fridays and completely different gallery occasions and exhibits and help native companies in each method I can. This space has a lot to supply! My store is, amazingly, a 5-minute stroll from my home. This neighborhood is my residence and my purpose is to present this space a lovely, however approachable, flower store with flowers for any finances and event.
How vital is the grant for what you are promoting?
This grant will enable me to broaden my native flower and pottery stock and can assist with paying hire
for this beautiful gallery area at 18 West Broad St.
Web site: https://rushingblooms.myshopify.com
RVA Hair Warehouse, 102 W Broad St.
Proprietor: Matthew Bizzell, Sr.
Inform us about what you are promoting. If you opened, why you began it, and many others.
RVA Hair Warehouse is a hair boutique that sells hair extensions, weaves, wigs, frontals and closures. We opened March 2022 for the aim of offering nice high quality hair to the group.
What attracted what you are promoting to the Broad Road’s Arts District?
I used to be first drawn to the world since I drove down Broad Road nearly each day for work.
What do you want most concerning the neighborhood?
I all the time believed the district had nice potential and after I came upon concerning the historical past of that exact space, I used to be much more impressed to open a enterprise there. One of the vital engaging elements of the world is its placement in Downtown Richmond surrounded by so many different up and coming companies.
How vital is the grant for what you are promoting?
This grant can be tremendously appreciated and essential to furthering the event of my enterprise. Between product, promotions, safety, completely different items of apparatus and different objects, a grant can be lovely to acquire at this level to ensure that me to permit my enterprise to develop.
Web site: https://rva-hair-warehouse.com
Sarah’s Den, 24 E Broad St
Proprietor: Tonya Pulliam, CEO
Inform us about what you are promoting. If you opened, why you began it, and many others.
The Distinctive Useful resource Middle and Sarah’s Den is re-opening to proceed its mission to serve youth and households within the metropolis, with a concentrate on homeless providers and help, employability, and self-sufficiency. The enterprise began in 2012 as a Garments Closet and Useful resource Middle however closed its operation in 2016. We reopened Could 6, 2022 with a revamp to serve Richmond’s most susceptible and supply help to our group. We’re not your atypical thrift.
What attracted what you are promoting to the Broad Road’s Arts District?
The Broad Road Arts District is a chief location to interact with the guts of the town and its folks. The values and historical past of this space carefully connect with our personal.
What do you want most concerning the neighborhood?
The range and inclusion within the neighborhood has been wonderful. We now have constructed a number of relationships and partnerships in the neighborhood, and it appears like household.
How vital is the grant for what you are promoting?
This grant is essential to us as we’re revamping our service supply. We now have a concentrate on employability and job expertise coaching. We are going to use this grant to develop infrastructure and to help coaching and hiring of workers who’re underemployed or lack job expertise.
Web site: www.thepicf.com
Taylor’s Barbershop, 115 W Broad St.
Proprietor: Dawayne E. Taylor
Inform us about what you are promoting. If you opened, why you began it, and many others.
Dawayne E. Taylor, founder and proprietor of Taylor’s Barbershop, started falling in love with reducing hair as an early teen, by the grace of his father, who launched barbering to him. From experimenting together with his personal hair then increasing to family and friends, Mr. Taylor continued to nurture his skillset within the dorms of Williams Corridor on Virginia State College’s campus for incoming freshmen and gamers of the soccer group. Within the late spring of Could 2009, Mr. Taylor was capable of procure a chance to personal and function an current turnkey barbershop, which has since develop into often called Taylor’s Barbershop. Taylor’s Barbershop operates on the ideas of constructing your expertise greater than a haircut with nice service and an upbeat ambiance that matches the previous and new college. It’s a spot of leisure, remedy and dialog for males, girls and children.
What attracted what you are promoting to the Broad Road’s Arts District?
I’ve seen Broad Road redevelop from the ICA, Ledbury, Quirk Resort and Frequent Home. It’s a place that feels vibrant whereas nonetheless being a group on the identical time. Being part of Broad Road’s continued progress and restructuring means a lot to Taylor’s Barbershop, being a landmark and small piece of what’s presently in place and to return! We love servicing our group and the guests who journey right here for enterprise or all of its historical past.
What do you want most concerning the neighborhood?
The Artwork District has an vitality that claims Richmond! From the eating places, leisure, vogue, artwork galleries, self-care areas and variety amongst the neighbors/group, it provides me pleasure to be part of it!
How vital is the grant for what you are promoting?
The grant is absolutely vital so we are able to improve barbershop furnishings and repay debt that was attributed to Covid-19. We plan to rent and create extra jobs and work on increasing enterprise.
Web site: https://www.taylorbarbershop.com
For extra data and tenant images, please go to: https://venturerichmond.com/information/grant-recipients-
broad-street/
Enterprise Richmond, 200 S. Third Road, Richmond, VA 23219
