After pointing out a book cover I thought would make a neat tattoo, Baynes responded by unearthing a box full of vintage tattoo magazines. | Photo by RICtoday
Brian Baynes has lived in Church Hill for the past 10+ years. Now he’s planting business roots with a used bookstore at 2514 P Street, set to open Saturday, June 14 + Sunday, June 15.
We spoke with Baynes about what inspired Brian’s Books and how he plans to maximize the space with one eclectic read after another.
Where did your idea for this business originate?
“I’ve always dreamed about having a used bookstore, but that dream kind of felt out of reach.
When I saw this space — close to my house and in the neighborhood I love and want to be a part of — I thought, ‘okay, maybe it’s time. I either sign the lease and go for it, or in a year from now, I’ll wish I had.’”
“My friend built a bench, exactly seven feet long, to fit in front of the store.” | Photo by RICtoday
We dive into plenty more details, from Baynes’ background in self-published zines + the store’s collection of rare books to a post-interview note from the editor, providing some first-hand insight into the eclectic space.
Trail Skate Tuesday | 6-8 p.m. | Virginia Capital Trail | Free | Rolling novice or skate-savvy pro, this is the last spring session for this guided meetup, so gather your gear and get your skate on.
Wednesday, June 4
Speed Dating for Singles | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | Annie Ruth’s Wine Bar & Bistro, Midlothian | $36 | If your life is a rom-com, consider this your fun + flirty movie montage.
Tell-Tale Talks: Allison Gunn | 6-7 p.m. | The Poe Museum | $10 | Join a conversation and book signing for the spine-chilling thriller “Nowhere,” appropriately hosted in Edgar Allen Poe’s haunting realm.
Thursday, June 5
Richmond Ivy | 7 p.m. | City Stadium | $15 | Embrace the excitement under the stadium lights at this competitive Brandi Chastain Cup match.
Exposure: In Bloom, “The Spirit of the Beehive” (1973) | 7 p.m. | Institute for Contemporary Art | Free | Spend an evening at the museum for this film screening — a coming-of-age narrative set in post-civil war Spain.
Selwyn Birchwood at The Tin Pan | 8-10 p.m. | The Tin Pan, Glen Allen | $38+ | Get ahead of the crowd to see this rising blues star, noted by the venue as “a force of nature” with a “warm, magnetic personality.”
Work continues on a broken water main at 7th and Canal streets, causing impacted water pressure in Eastern Henrico. While the county is not under a boil advisory, locals should report unusual water conditions to the Henrico Department of Public Utilities. (CBS 6)
Closed
BigWife’s Mac n’ Cheese, on Arthur Ashe Boulevard, has closed after two years of operation. The brick-and-mortar biz developed from a pandemic-era popup in 2023. The owners have not confirmed whether or not they will make a return to the popup food scene. (Richmond BizSense)
Coming Soon
A physical therapy and yoga studio (with a self-serve coffee bar) is in the works for Union Hill in East End. Owned by Leah Johnson, The Second Arrow anticipates a July opening on Carrington Street. Sessions will include singular, hour-long appointments as well as unlimited yoga memberships. (Richmond BizSense)
Biz
We want to know where you Dine Out for Pride this week. Until June 8, you can stop by any participating restaurant for limited-edition specials benefiting local LGBTQ+ organizations. Stop by, send us a picture of your food or drink, and you may be featured in an upcoming newsletter.
Concert
Allianz Amphitheater kicks off its first season this Wednesday with a sold-out Sunset Soundcheck show. Are you a neighboring community member with questions about resident parking or noise? Learn more about the ongoing conversations between amphitheater officials and the Oregon Hill community to address these topics. (The Richmonder)
Transit
National Bike Month may be over, but safe streets are always in season. Whether you’re driving or biking, pay attention, stay off your phone, and give bikes plenty of room. Learn how you can help keep our roads safe for everyone.*
Number
3. That’s how many minutes it takes to learn AI skills with Superhuman AI, a newsletter filled with AI how-tos, tools, and news. Subscribe for free.*
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💅 An efficient and precise nail grinder with a handy LED light and three speed levels.
🐱 A rechargeable automatic feeder with customizable feeding schedules + portion sizes.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
As a fellow used bookstore superfan, I loved getting to write today’s feature about Brian’s Books. Getting a first-hand look at the shop before opening was an added bonus.
One of my favorite finds? This vintage handbook, “revealing that animals may have psychic powers.”
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