02.15.2024

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

57º | 5% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:59 a.m. | Sunset 5:48 p.m.

Generations of Richmond business

The oldest family-owned businesses in Richmond

A vintage postcard shows Broad Street in the early 20th century.

Richmond has several businesses that have stayed in the family for over a century. | Photo via VCU Libraries Digital Collections

Ever wondered about some of the oldest businesses in Richmond? Several local storefronts have been serving River City customers for over a century.

A quick note: Foodies might worry at the lack of restaurants on this list. Fear not — we already published a conversation on the oldest restaurants in the city.

Cowardin’s Jewelers | Opened 1865
The legacy of Cowardin’s Jewelers is five generations deep. William H. Cowardin opened his watch and jewelry shop in Shockoe Bottom in 1865. The jewelers have set up shop in several locations in their 150+ year history. They are currently located at 4909 W. Broad St. near Willow Lawn.

Siewers Lumber & Millwork | Opened 1884
A German immigrant, Richard Alvin Siewers started a building company and lumber yard at Canal and Belvidere Streets in 1884. He passed the business to his wife, Sabine, who then left it to their sons. Their grandsons moved the business to 1901 Ellen Rd. near the Diamond in 1974.

Waller & Company Jewelers | Opened 1900
Marcellus Carrington “M.C.” Waller taught himself the business of jewelry and watch repair in the late 1800s. Part of Richmond’s entrepreneurial Black business community at the turn of the century, Waller opened his shop in 1900 in the Carver neighborhood. The business is now located at 19 E. Broad St.

Agee’s Bicycles | Opened 1910
One of the nation’s oldest bike shops, Agee’s was known as West End Bicycles when Louis Agee opened its doors in the Byrd Park area. It now has three locations on West Broad, Midlothian Turnpike, and Cary Street.

Whitten Brothers | Opened 1920
Tracing its roots to a tire shop founded on March 8, 1920 at 1500 W. Broad St., this local car dealer has since been steered by four generations of Whittens.

We couldn’t highlight all of the historic businesses that are still operated in Richmond — that’d take quite a few more newsletters.

What should we look into next? Reach out and tell us.

Events

Thursday, Feb. 15

RVA Community Makers Unveiling | Thursday, Feb. 15 | 6-7 p.m. | Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | Free | VMFA’s annual public art project will celebrate Black History Month with a textile installation to honor Black leaders in Richmond.
Community Night: Jambalaya | Thursday, Feb. 15 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Coalition Theater, 8 W. Broad St., Richmond | $0-$5 | Anyone is welcome to put their name in the Crockpot of Destiny to be randomly chosen to join this improv show.

Friday, Feb. 16

19th Annual Symposium | Friday, Feb. 16-Saturday, Feb. 17 | Times vary | American Civil War Museum, 500 Tredegar St., Richmond | $35-$150 | Your ticket includes an exclusive reception, a preview of the museum’s upcoming exhibition, and access to several panels featuring leading Civil War scholars.
ICA Spring Premiere 2024 | Friday, Feb. 16 | 6-9 p.m. | Institute for Contemporary Art, 601 W. Broad St., Richmond | Free | RSVP to see three new exhibitions and experience a performance by Raymond Pinto, tunes from DJ Raneshounds, and refreshments.

Saturday, Feb. 17

Great Backyard Bird Count | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond | $0-$17 | Grab your binoculars, drop by the Lora Robins Library for a checklist, and join this community science project.
Friends of the Library Book Drive | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | RPL Main Branch, 101 E. Franklin St., Richmond | Free | Bring your gently used hardbacks, paperbacks, CDs, and DVDs to support the library.
Special Focus Tour: Love, Romance and Marriage in Tudor Times | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 4-5 p.m. | Agecroft Hall, 4305 Sulgrave Rd., Richmond | $12 | Learn about love and marriage in Tudor England through objects in Agecroft’s collection.

Sunday, Feb. 18

Tommy Prine | Sunday, Feb. 18 | 7 p.m. | Richmond Music Hall, 623 E. Main St., Richmond | $18 | The singer-songwriter will play with Maggie Antone.

Monday, Feb. 19

Profs & Pints: The Psychology of Nostalgia | Monday, Feb. 19 | 6-8 p.m. | Triple Crossing Beer – Fulton, 5203 Hatcher St., Richmond | $14 | VCU psychology professor Jeffrey Green will deliver a talk you’re sure to fondly remember.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Development

Parkside Marketplace, an office and residential complex near Innsbrook, has been sold to Chicago-based Northpond Partners. The 6-acre parcel sold for around $17 million. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Eat

Dayum Jam has found a new home in Jackson Ward. The local preserves brand is hosting several fundraising events to cover kitchen equipment costs.

Biz

Students from the University of Richmond’s Bench Top Innovations course have launched Noosh, a new take on baba ganoush. Their riff on the Mediterranean spread has adds flavors of citrus and spice. (Richmond BizSense)

Number

43,000. That’s how many swaddle blankets a local nonprofit has provided to newborn babies in the last four years. The Love Swaddle is led by artist Sunny Goode. In addition to blankets, the organization provides relationship health resources for the whole family. (VPM)

Drink

To celebrate its ABC license being approved, PlantHouse is hosting a Tipsy Terrarium Bash. Get 15% off a DIY tersarium building session and $2 off mimosas and wine all weekend at the Scott’s Addition shop.

Eat

Scoop’s limited addition Black Forest ice cream will only be available a little while longer. The Fan shop only made four tubs of the special Valentine’s Day flavor.

Try This

Want to advertise with us but not sure where to start? Check out our self-service advertising, a quick and easy way to get acquainted with our local audience through Listings, Banner Ads, and Articles. Get started today.

Wellness

Regain’s couples therapy is accessible via phone, text, and video call and is FSA/HSA-friendly. Get 25% off your first month for Valentine’s Day.*

Watch

Culture

Super Bowl commercials made by VCU alums

20 commercials at this year’s Super Bowl featured work by grads of the VCU Brandcenter. | Photo by Jeff Auth

Even if LA didn’t make it to the big game, the Rams got plenty of airtime in this year’s Super Bowl. Several of the commercials that aired on Sunday featured work by VCU Brandcenter alumni.

The masterminds behind the Coors Lite Chill Train’s return to the small screen were Chris Colliton and Kevin Weir, both Brandcenter grads. While this wasn’t their first Super Bowl ad, this year’s production was one of their biggest yet.

You may have also caught this year’s Opendoor commercial. Brandcenter alum Hannah Hugeback played a major role in the production.

Other commercials featuring work from Rams included over a dozen ads for brands including Oreo, Reese’s, Best Buy, and Audi. All told, there were 20 ad campaigns featuring 27 alums this year. All of those commercials — as well as spots from previous years — can be found on the Brandcenter YouTube channel.

The Buy

The Buy 2.15.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Some stylish sunglasses by Rheos or I Am Girl Stephanie, because we’re dreaming about summer and soaking up sunny rays. Pro tip: With the days already getting longer, it’s never too soon to start protecting your eyes.

Share RICtoday

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_22}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

Now the sun’s come back out, I’m looking to spend as much time outside as possible. On that note — we’re still taking suggestions for the best bird watching spots in the River City.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY