06.21.2023

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Today’s Forecast

49º | Sunny | 5% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:24 a.m. | Sunset 5:07 p.m.

Get a taste of history

A savory history of C.F. Sauer Company

An aerial shot over Richmond's Fan District with Sauer's Vanilla Sign in view.

The Sauer’s Vanilla sign glows over Broad Street. | Photo by @takeone.aerial

You would probably recognize the incandescent Sauer’s Vanilla sign driving west down Broad Street. The company has a 130+ year history in Richmond that stretches from the genesis of the American flavor industry to the jar of Duke’s Mayo that might be in your fridge right now.

The company started in 1887 when a 21-year-old pharmacist named Conrad Frederick Sauer saw a rising demand in the drugstore business.

While flavor itself has an ancient history, the production of artificial scents and flavors began to emerge in the late 19th and early 20th century. Shoppers often purchased flavoring extracts at drugstores because they were thought to have a more pure, strong product.

RICtoday_CFSauer_SauersVanillaSign — Conrad Frederick Sauer had just turned 21 when he founded his company.
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Portrait via Press Reference Book of Prominent Virginians; sign photo by @ruby.carmela

Sauer founded the C.F. Sauer Company on his 21st birthday, establishing the headquarters in Richmond. The business sold pure flavoring extracts in 5 and 10 gram bottles for 15 and 25 cents, respectively — making it much easier for the average consumer to afford flavors that would have been far more expensive previously.

The company soon began to grow. Sauer’s wife, Olga, arranged an award-winning exhibit for the business at the 1889 Virginia State Fair. After 24 years, the company relocated to 2000 W. Broad St., where it still operates today.

RICtoday_SauerCompany_Advertisement — A company pamphlet circa 1915 boasts of Sauer’s purity and strength.
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Photo via VCU Library Charles E. Brownell Collection

By the time C.F. Sauer died in 1927, the company was the largest producer of extracts and spices in the nation. A few years later, chef and entrepreneur Eugenia Duke sold her up-and-coming mayo business to the C.F. Sauer Company.

For almost a century, the company continued its business, led by four generations of Sauers. In 2019, the family announced the sale of the company to Falfurrias Capital Partners.

Now known as Sauer Brands, the company is still headquartered in Richmond with facilities in South Carolina, Kansas, and California.

Events

Wednesday, June 21

Music At Maymont: Lettuce & Steel Pulse | Wednesday, June 21 | 6 p.m. | Altria Theater, 6 N. Laurel St., Richmond | $40 | The funk and roots reggae bands are on a summer tour with Makua Rothman.
Wavves, Cloud Nothings, Ultra Q | Wednesday, June 21 | 7 p.m. | The Broadberry, 2729 W. Broad St., Richmond | $25 | Rock out with these three bands.

Thursday, June 22

“The Grand Budapest Hotel” | Thursday, June 22 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $8 | Ralph Fiennes and Tony Revolori lead the ensemble cast in this 2014 Wes Anderson film.
Revenge of the 80s: Live in Concert | Thursday, June 22 | 7-8 p.m. | Henrico Theatre, 305 E. Nine Mile Rd., Highland Springs | $10 | Celebrate all things 1980s at this musical night.
“Sound of the Guns” | Thursday, June 22-Friday, July 14 | Times vary | Firehouse Theatre, 1609 W. Broad St., Richmond | $25-$30 | Experience a world premiere rock concert performed by The J.O.B.

Friday, June 23

4th Friday Art Shows and Opening Reception | Friday, June 23 | 6-8 p.m. | Art Works, 320 Hull St., Richmond | Free | Abstract art takes center stage in the new exhibits, on display through July 22.
Erykah Badu LIVE Cover-to-Cover | Friday, June 23 | 8 p.m. | Dogwood Dell, 600 S. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | Free | Yes And Theatrical Co. puts on the ultimate tribute to the R&B singer as part of the city’s Festival of Arts.

Saturday, June 24

Flying Squirrels vs. Harrisburg Senators | Saturday, June 24 | 6:05 p.m. | The Diamond, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | $10-$25 | The fate of the universe might not be at stake, but you could go home with an Iron Man bobblehead at Marvel Super Hero Night.

Events calendar here

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Announced

Earn prizes for referring friends

Are you ready to get rewarded for spreading the word about the newsletter? | Graphic by 6AM City

We’re excited to announce that our referral program has been revamped. Yes, you can be rewarded for spreading the word about the newsletter.

How does it work? You can find the referral section near The Wrap in the newsletter. One referral is equal to one point. You’ll receive the point when your friends confirm they want to be signed up for the newsletter. It’s a tiered reward system — as you earn more points, you unlock bigger and more rewards. Look forward to receiving exclusive products you won’t find in our online store such as hats, mugs, blankets, a paid-for night out on the town, and more.

To celebrate our referral program, we’re hosting a giveaway until Wednesday, July 12, 2023. The top referrer will receive $500, and one additional person who refers at least one friend will automatically be entered for another $100 giveaway.

As part of our new and improved referral program, we’re offering all newsletter subscribers an additional 15% discount to our online store (Six & Main), just use coupon code REFTDY23 at checkout. The offer is good until Monday, July 24, 2023.

Questions? Send us an email here.

See giveaway terms & conditions.

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News Notes

Closing

Commercial Taphouse’s last day of service will be this Sunday, June 25. The longtime Fan bar reopened in 2017 with a Mexican and American menu. The closure was announced on social media last week. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Edu

Four Richmond schools will have new names following votes from the school board last night. George Wythe High School will be Richmond High School for the Arts, John B. Cary Elementary will be Lois-Harrison Jones Elementary, Ginter Park Elementary will be Frances W. McClenney Elementary, and Binford Middle will be Dogwood Middle. (ABC 8News)

Sports

Tickets are on sale for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Race at Richmond Raceway. The short track race will take place on Saturday, July 30 at 3 p.m. Tickets start at $25.

Regional

The first Buc-ee’s in Virginia is set to rise in New Kent. The convenience store and gas station chain bought ~28 acres off State Route 609 for $6.5 million. There’s no word yet on the construction timeline. (Richmond BizSense)

Arts

The James River Association wants you to design an Atlantic sturgeon-themed t-shirt. Check out the guidelines and submit your design by Thursday, July 13. Once the public votes for their favorite, the winning artist will receive a free tee and two spots on a pontoon tour to spot sturgeon.

Number

40,000. That’s how many pounds of nonperishable product Wegmans recently donated to Feed More. The company also gave $10,000 to support the group’s hunger relief mission.

Shop

Find a new-to-you treasure at the Church Hill Vintage Bazaar this Saturday, June 24 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Eric Schindler Gallery. Church Hill Vintage and Capitol Vintage are teaming up to host the event.

Community

Are you into comics, cosplay, or board games? RPL’s Main Branch is hosting RippleCon this Saturday, June 24 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The free event will celebrate all things fandom with local author panels, contests, and a Switch Smash Bros. tournament.

Eat

A report from Clever recently named Richmond the No. 1 burger city in America, based on a combination of statistics including burger prevalence, passion, and popularity. We want your take — where’s the best burger in Richmond? Let us know. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Try This

Blast off this summer at “Moon to Mars,” an exhibit at the Children’s Museum of Richmond that shows kids the dynamic and exciting aspects of space. Build rockets, orbit above the Earth, and build a base on the moon while learning the importance of imagination and teamwork. See a recap of our experience and make plans to go.*

Finance

Work smarter, not harder, by hiring an investment advisor. These are the top five firms in the US.*

Shop

It’s officially summer. To celebrate, shop our online store (Six & Main), where you’ll find many summer essentials such as new patio furniture by Palmetto Craft and delicious cocktail mixers by Simple Time Mixers. Now, that’s how you start the summer.

Civic

🗳 Primary election results

See election results for the June primary

A hand holds a sticker that says "my vote counted" and an RICtoday sticker.

Check with the city’s Office of Elections to see your voting location. | Photo by RICtoday

With yesterday’s primary election in the rear view, here’s who you can expect to see on the ballot on Election Day — Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Note: Virginia has new political maps which went into effect for this primary. Your district may have changed — find your legislator.

Here are the results for districts that include precincts in the City of Richmond.

House of Delegates 79th District

In the Democratic primary, Rae Cousins defeated Ann-Frances Lambert and Richard Walker, getting ~63% of the vote in the three-person contest. Lambert got just under 30%, Walker ~7%.

Senate of Virginia 14th District

In the Democratic primary, Lamont Bagby defeated Katie Gooch. Bagby secured ~72% of the vote, Gooch got 28%.

Check for more results — including races for the Board of Supervisors in Henrico and Hanover and Commonwealth’s Attorney in Chesterfield — on the VA Dept. of Elections website.

The Wrap

Robin Schwartzkopf in a red button down shirt

Today’s edition by:
Robin

From the editor

If you want to see what a birthday party for two teenage goats entails, look no further than Maymont’s Instagram.

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