10.23.2023

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Today’s Forecast

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

Answered: Your Willow Lawn wishes

What’s the future for Willow Lawn?

Willow Lawn is located near city limits in Henrico County. | Photo by RICtoday

Here’s what readers said when asked about the pending redevelopment of Willow Lawn.

We got a good mix of Willow Lawn shoppers, with most respondents saying they go to the area sometimes (once a month or so) or regularly (once a week or so).

People were pretty split on what they’d be most excited to see in Willow Lawn’s future. Green space came away with a plurality, with 36% of respondents saying that’s what they most look forward to. Restaurants took 30% of the vote and small businesses 26%, leaving 8% for residential space.

RICtoday_WillowLawnRedevelopment_Outline — In this diagram, dark blue sections would be zoned for mixed-use, light blue would be mixed-use (commercial), and gray would be mixed-use (residential), centered around a courtyard.
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Photo via Henrico County documents

Several respondents brought up the prospect of more outdoor appeal.

One reader commented, “If the development was made with significant green space (including native species) and if it had opportunities for outdoor dining adjacent to those spaces, I would not only go to visit but would consider living there.”

The most common ask for residential space was that apartments be made affordable for most Richmonders. Many respondents also brought up concerns over parking and traffic.

In terms of businesses, the consensus seemed to be keep them local. We heard a lot of requests for boutique-style shops similar to Carytown’s offerings. The same went for restaurants, with a lot of calls for more local spots or satellite locations of Richmond favorites.

RICtoday_WillowLawnTheatre_History — Should we do a story on the Willow Lawn Theatre?
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Photo via rivest266

When asked what else Willow Lawn might be missing, the responses cast a wide net. We got calls for more amenities like a food hall, expanded kids play area, and bike racks. Many responses also shouted out larger chains. Trader Joe’s, Sephora, Marshall’s, and Dunkin got multiple mentions.

One reader suggested bringing back a movie theater. Willow Lawn had a historic one, opened in 1956, which was the first in the area to offer 70mm screenings. When it closed in the 80s, a Regal took its place before also closing in 2001.

Missed the survey the first time around? Click the button to share your thoughts.

Tell us what you think

Events

Monday, Oct. 23

Helen’s October Market | Monday, Oct. 23 | 5-10 p.m. | Helen’s, 2527 W. Main St., Richmond | Free entry | Wear your costume for an evening of vintage clothing, tarot readings, flowers, candles, crafts, a live DJ, and an Eat Boi pop-up.
Palehound | Monday, Oct. 23 | 7 p.m. | Richmond Music Hall, 623 E. Main St., Richmond | $18 | The indie rockers are on the “Eye on the Bat” tour with Empath.

Tuesday, Oct. 24

GWAR | Tuesday, Oct. 24 | 6 p.m. | The National, 708 E. Broad St., Richmond | $30 | The Richmond legends will play with Negative Approach, X-Cops, and Cancer Christ.
“Maniac” | Tuesday, Oct. 24 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $8 | See the 1980 psychological slasher on the big screen.

Wednesday, Oct. 25

Wine & Jazz Night | Wednesday, Oct. 25 | 6-9 p.m. | Lolita’s, 2929 W. Cary St., Richmond | Cost of purchase | Make a reservation and enjoy live Latin jazz and deals on bottles of wine at this Carytown restaurant.

Thursday, Oct. 26

Lincoln Prize Lecture | Thursday, Oct. 26 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Historic Tredegar, 500 Tredegar St., Richmond | $40-$60 | Dr. Jonathan White will give a lecture on his book, “A House Built By Slaves: African American Visitors to the Lincoln White House,” followed by a panel discussion.
Halloween Open Skate | Thursday, Oct. 26 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Rollerdome, 4902 Williamsburg Rd., Richmond | $5 | Join River City Roller Derby for a night of skating, costume contests, games, and music by School of Rock Short Pump.

Tuesday, Oct. 31

Tutus & Ties | Tuesday, Oct. 31 | 2-2:30 p.m. | Children’s Museum of Richmond Downtown Location, 2626 W. Broad St., Richmond | Free | Kids are invited to dress up and move in the Downtown Playhouse on Tuesdays — plus, it’s free with Museum admission.*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

The city is breaking ground on the new Lucks Field Community Center this week. The public can participate in the ceremony by heading to the corner of Rogers and T streets on Friday, Oct. 27 at 1 p.m.

Development

Sports Backers announcing its upcoming move to Spring Park is good news for more than just outdoor enthusiasts. By vacating Sports Backers Stadium, the nonprofit is also making way for the developments in the Diamond District. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Biz

Coco + Hazel has two new owners. Carrie Walker and Laura Hinkle — Richmonders and longtime friends — bought the frozen treat shop in September. One of their first orders of business is to introduce a smaller, less expensive version of the store’s signature mega-milkshake. (Richmond BizSense)

Edu

Chesterfield announced the location for the new Western Area HS, which is expected to open in August 2027. The campus will be south of Horsepen Creek, ~1,600 ft west of the Duval and Otterdale Road intersection.

Civic

Hanover County’s planned improvements to the corridors of Atlee Station Road and Pole Green Road could cost ~$50 million in state and local funds. Both of these projects have been on the schedule since 2018, and are expected to be finished around 2030. (VPM)

Ranked

VCU Psychiatry professor Kenneth Kendler, M.D., has moved to the No. 1 ranking on ScholarGPS, an academic analytics site. As of September, Kendler has published 1,299 works and been cited 125,000+ times. (VCU News)

Tech

If you’re parting with $80 to $100 every month for phone services, it’s time for a change. Get unlimited data, talk, and text with Boost Mobile for $12.50 for your first month.*

Civic

🗳️ Pack the polls

Chesterfield early voting begins

RVA Votes says 15,000 Richmonders have voted early. | Photo by @ginter.park

Early voting begins today in Chesterfield County at five libraries chosen as satellite locations.

Until Saturday, Nov. 4, Chesterfield residents can vote at the North Courthouse Road, LaPrade, Meadowdale, Ettrick-Matoaca, and Clover Hill branches. These voting locations will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. They will also open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 4.

Early voting continues at the Chesterfield General Registrar’s office, located at 9848 Lori Rd. The office will be open to voters Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Nov. 4, as well as on Saturday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 4.

Voters will be asked to provide their name and a valid form of ID before casting their ballots. Get more information on this year’s elections at the button below.

Our election guide

Answered

On Friday, we asked if you knew where the term “Jack-O'-Lantern” came from.

The correct answer is Ireland, where large turnips served as early canvases and the Jack-O'-Lantern originated from an Irish myth about a man named Stingy Jack who tricked the Devil. See his twisted tale.

What's this about Jack-O'-Lanterns?

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

While I’ll admit I didn’t get a chance to see “Frozen” at the Altria, I did manage to snag balcony tickets to see Bob Dylan in November. I’ve only seen Dylan once before — in 2014, also from the Altria balcony — so needless to say I’m excited to see the Tambourine Man himself back on Main Street.

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