Business  Small Business

Local love: RICtoday’s guide to reader-recommended small businesses

Put your money where your community is and help us create a guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local spots and sharing this page with a friend.

March 12, 2026 • 
Staff, Elise Steele
RIC_veiled_mirror_small_biz_MARCH

Local antiques business The Veiled Mirror moved into a permanent space earlier this year, specializing in Victorian curiosities.

Photo by Kathryn Parker, via The Veiled Mirror

Did you know? Virginia is home to more than 800,000 small businesses. We want to celebrate all the businesses that make the River City so special.

In honor of our many movers and shakers, we’re asking readers to nominate small businesses they love so we can share them with the whole audience.

We’ll be here to share a new batch of small businesses every month, so bookmark this page to come back for more, especially if you’ve enjoyed our Small Business Week and Today’s Best coverage.

Editor Elise’s pick:

Vonderlehr Tire Pros | Tire shop
It all started with John “Johnny” Vonderlehr, who opened a gas and service station on Chamberlayne Avenue back in 1921. Now the family-owned business focuses on all things tires and holds the 2025 title as Richmond’s No. 1 tire shop.

The interior of Vonderlehr Tire Pros, featuring a collection of collective decor like a Coca Cola frige, Brigestone sign, and a statue of a boy wearing white overalls.

The last time I brought my car to Vonderlehr, I waited in the lobby rather than hitching a ride home. Once the staff noticed I was working, someone brought over a little stand to use for my laptop. It’s the little things.

Photo by RICtoday

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