Alleghany Warehouse Demolition Kicks Off News by Michael C. Hild - March 28, 2019March 28, 20198 Demolition on Semmes Avenue kicked off in earnest this past week as the vacant metal Alleghany Warehouse buildings in Swansboro were taken down. The demolition comes on the heals of City Council's vote in February to grant a special-use permit to Harper & Associates for a 106 unit townhome development at
Newly Approved Historic Districts Transforming South Richmond News by Michael C. Hild - November 25, 2018November 26, 201813 The newly approved historic districts for Manchester, Swansboro, and Blackwell are working to transform South Richmond. Approved only six weeks ago on October 10th by the State Boards of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, both the expanded Manchester Residential & Commercial District and newly created Blackwell Historic District are
Historic District Initiative Unanimously Approved for Parts of Manchester, Blackwell, & Swansboro News by Michael C. Hild - October 11, 2018October 13, 201811 The proposal to expand the Manchester Residential & Commercial Historic District was unanimously approved yesterday by Virginia's Department of Historic Resources Board and State Review Board, albeit in a slightly different format than was first contemplated. More than 700 new buildings were added to the list of historic buildings for the area,
Sportscar Workshops Completes Move to Swansboro…And They are Hiring News by Michael C. Hild - August 5, 2018August 6, 20183 In speaking with Michael Moore of Sportscar Workshops about his move of the family business from the edge of Scott's Addition on Boulevard to Swansboro, you can sense the weight of the decision. There is also a look of exhaustion that comes from such an undertaking. But Michael is quick
Chicken Fiesta Is Moving to the Old Ukrop’s Hull Street Location News by Michael C. Hild - May 31, 2018May 31, 20180 Momentum is building on Hull Street for both Manchester and Swansboro alike. The latest announcement from Richmond BizSense broke the news this morning that Chicken Fiesta is moving its headquarters into the old Ukrop's Grocery location at 3113 Hull Street. The location is considered by the City of Richmond to
Richmond’s Beer Pioneers to Relaunch: Peter Stumpf Brewing and Rosenegk Brewing News by Michael C. Hild - May 28, 2018May 28, 201810 In honor of two of Richmond's legendary brewing pioneers, Peter Stumpf Brewing Company and Rosenegk Brewing Company are planning a relaunch. The two breweries will set up at the vintage themed Siegel's food and beverage development in Swansboro just west of Manchester. The hope is for the Siegels development to be a food
Food Incubator Hatch Kitchen RVA Coming to Swansboro News by Michael C. Hild - May 12, 2018May 18, 20183 Is Swansboro set to become a new Food & Beverage District? With the latest announcement of the new food incubator Hatch Kitchen RVA, plus the prior news of the food & beverage hall at the Siegel's development...it sure looks like that could become a possibility. Hatch Kitchen RVA will be a
Aragon Coffee Coming to Siegel’s: Coffee & Chicory, Churros, & Beignets News by Michael C. Hild - May 6, 2018May 6, 201812 Did you know that Manchester/Richmond was once the largest importer of coffee in the world? Before the Civil War, coffee was imported from Brazil in great quantities at the Manchester docks and Rocketts Landing. Ships would offload Brazilian coffee in exchange for flour milled at the enormous Haxall and Gallego
Bring back the Meat-Juice! News by Michael C. Hild - April 25, 2018May 18, 201821 Yes, you heard that right. Richmond's iconic Valentine's Meat-Juice is poised for a come back! Valentine's Meat-Juice was once a worldwide sensation. The highly sought after elixir was the not-so-secret ingredient in the famous bloody marys served at Richmond's Commonwealth Club. And if you think about it, the idea of a
Richmond’s Once Famous Woman Owned “Pin Money Pickles” to Relaunch at Siegel’s News by Michael C. Hild - April 12, 2018May 18, 201816 Richmond’s once famous woman owned Pin Money Pickles is set to relaunch and join Climax Beverage Co at the Siegel’s development in Swansboro. If you are unfamiliar with Ellen G. Kidd and her Richmond Pin Money Pickle empire, know this-she was an inspirational woman entrepreneur who was well ahead of her
Expanded Historic District Proposed for Parts of Manchester, Blackwell & Swansboro News by Michael C. Hild - April 4, 2018May 18, 201834 We have been driving around Manchester for almost a decade studying this great neighborhood, and have been confused by the seemingly sporadic renovation we have seen in certain areas, but not others. What we learned through our research is that development has occurred almost exclusively in areas that are federal
Richmond’s Iconic Climax Beverage Co. to Re-Launch News by Michael C. Hild - March 25, 2018March 28, 201829 For old school Richmonders, the animated Climax sign that once sat atop Belle Isle amidst the James River was an iconic landmark. The flashing neon sign with clock perched above greeted automobile traffic for more than thirty years as commuters crossed the Old Lee Bridge into Richmond. In fact, the Climax
Manchester & Swansboro Grocery Store Searches Strike Out News by Michael C. Hild - January 31, 2018May 18, 20188 Richmond's food deserts are getting hit over the head with sobering news in the past few days. Within the past 48 hours, Jim Scanlon who once had ambitious plans to build a Jim's Local Market in Richmond's East End announced he would be closing his Norfolk store. Here is what
Times-Dispatch on Siegel’s Grocery Restoration: it was a ‘modern food wonderland of amazing design’ News by Michael C. Hild - January 22, 2018June 7, 20186 We are extremely thankful for the coverage that Greg Gilligan from the Richmond Time's-Dispatch provided on the efforts to restore the former Siegel's grocery store in Swansboro. The article is chock full of information, and there are tons of great historical photographs. There are also some great shots of the interior
Southside Churches Swap Human ATM Locations? News by Michael C. Hild - January 21, 2018June 7, 20187 There has been a complicated set of church swapping going on in Manchester these days. Or should I call that human ATM location swapping? I have always felt a strong sense of unease at the sheer number of churches which seem to crop up in the poverty stricken neighborhoods of Richmond.
No Grocery Store for Old Alleghany Warehouses on Semmes Ave News by Michael C. Hild - January 17, 2018June 7, 201818 Despite years of speculation, the developer behind the old Allegheny Warehouses at 1802 Semmes Ave on the border of Manchester and Swansboro announced that their development will likely not include a grocery store at a local community meeting. Harper Associates and their representatives have worked for years to bring either a
Meet Hull Street’s Newest Entrepreneur: Michael Moore of Sportscar Workshops News by Michael C. Hild - December 15, 2017June 7, 201811 When I heard that Michael Moore was moving his Sportscar Workshops business from the edge of Scott's Addition on the Boulevard to 2661 Hull Street, I couldn't stop giving myself high fives. It was proof that a smart, entrepreneurial, business owner recognized the potential for the Hull Street corridor. The
Manchester Redevelopment Spreads to Swansboro News by Michael C. Hild - October 25, 2017November 9, 201752 Richmond BizSense has been busy detailing all the work being done along Manchester's Hull Street corridor. The coverage of Hot Diggity Donuts, the Butterbean, and a new brewpub at The Baldwin Building was featured in an in depth article: Brewpub, donut shop, market to anchor couple’s growing Manchester gamble. But now the
What’s the Story with the Egyptian Pump House in Swansboro? History by Michael C. Hild - June 25, 2017July 6, 201742 Buried on an otherwise humble street, the Egyptian pump house located at 2313 Wise Street stands out. Owned by the City of Richmond's Department of Public Works, the mausoleum-like structure is a surprising find in the austere area. The exact spot where the pump house is located is a bit of a
Is Manchester About to Get a Grocery Store? News by Michael C. Hild - January 2, 2016June 7, 201827 Speculation is running rampant that Manchester just might be about to get a grocery store. With the recent acquisition of a 12.8 acre parcel located at 1802 Semmes Ave for $3.7 Million by Harper Associates, there is good reason to be excited. According to a November 23rd article entitled 12-acre sale could signal more retail in Manchester by Richmond