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We can fix it: Meet Repair Café RVA
Over its first year, Richmond Repair Café RVA handled ~443 broken items brought in by locals.” | Photo by Antonio Guarniere
Many people adjust to the normalcy of broken things — toasters, jewelry, clothing. Repair Café RVA reminds folks, you don’t have to throw the faulty out. You don’t have to purchase anew. We’ve got you.
Richmond’s Repair Café chapter opened around one year ago as part of a worldwide movement to promote sustainability. To help celebrate and reflect on the anniversary, we chatted with founder Jenny Kobayashi Malone.
Editor’s Note: Find details about Repair Café’s anniversary celebration this Saturday, Feb. 14, in today’s event listings.
How has Repair Café RVA become a learning environment for the community?
A huge part of the Repair Café model is completing and learning the repair skills together... It’s one thing to have a shirt you can wear again, but learning how to do it yourself so the next time it wears through the elbows you’ll know what to do is — it’s kind of magical.
We love our readers — this Valentine’s Day and always.
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Take an early look at the new retail space coming to Bellevue’s main commercial strip.
Photo by RICtoday
Development
Last week, we shared the news that Jane Dough RVA would be swapping out a pop-up schedule for a permanent stay on MacArthur Avenue in Bellevue. The local bakery will become an inaugural tenant of the developing retail hub shown above, taking shape across from Dot’s Back Inn. (WTVR)
Edu
Richmond Public Schools are facing potential budget cuts of up to $22 million for the 2026-2027 school year. Join the conversation to catch up on public feedback and school board commentary, and find out which resources might be affected. The board is expected to submit its proposal in March. (WRIC)
Holiday
Spending Valentine’s Day at home? We see you, and we raise you two cozy snack ideas: Curate a charcuterie board with Belmont Butchery or visit Lammar Marie’s in Short Pump to stock up on gourmet popcorn for a movie night.
Mailbag
Yesterday, we reminisced on some restaurants of Richmond’s past, like Mamma Zu, Comfort, and Ipanema — many still fresh on our minds. Reader Robin S.E. wrote in to add Julian’s on Broad Street. “Best pepperoni pizza ever! Long for one more family time there!” Share yours.
Today Is
National 211 Day, raising awareness about the free, 24/7 helpline that can connect you to resources in times of crisis. The number works in all 50 states — but if you call it here at home, 2-1-1 Virginia can connect you to food, housing, health, and disaster resources.
Fact or Fiction
Leading audiologists are calling this best-selling hearing device “nothing short of a miracle.” Fact. It’s powered by cutting-edge German engineering, making conversation effortless even in noisy places — no wonder 540,000+ customers love it. Learn about a 45-day no-risk trial.*
Real Estate
Need your property to sell fast? Feature it here, in front of our thousands of highly engaged readers. Visit our business portal to get started and see your property here in as little as two days.
Older Adults
Did you know you could be saving hundreds (and building wealth) with these easy senior discounts? From savings with Amazon Prime to discounted rates with AT&T, we found 20 hacks all older adults should know about.*
Finance
Credit card debt hit record highs in 2025. The answer? This game-changing card with 0% intro APR on balance transfers through 2027 — that’s up to 21 months interest-free. Learn more and apply.*
Wellness
Stop guessing what your routine is doing to your body and know.Hume Body Pod shows you fat and muscle tracking in under 90 seconds, so your effort has direction — not just discipline. Shop while the site’s 35% off sale lasts, and get an extra 20% off with code GOAL20.*
The Buy
Womanizer’s pleasure-packed Valentine’s Day collection. Deepen intimacy through a shared experience with a sex toy that blends sleek design and clinically backed performance for a feel-good upgrade you’ll both be excited to unwrap.
🍸 Which former restaurant space just sold to the owners of The Jasper and Emerald Lounge?
Were you excited to learn the news? The owners of The Jasper and Emerald Lounge swept up a space on West Main Street — once home to The White Dog back in the 2000s.
Here’s where your guesses panned out: 39%: The White Dog 23%: Heritage 22% Ipanema 16%: Robin Inn
The Wrap
The Wrap
Here yee, all PBR-drinking Richmonders. The quintessential RVA beer brand has revived its monstrous PBR Godzilla pack — 99 cans, 7 ft long, 80 pounds of beer.
I’m telling you for fun, but also because Get Tight Lounge just launched a raffle giveaway for the pack, and you only have to jump through one simple hoop enter.
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