Where to shop small in Richmond, Virginia

If the thought of spending your year-end shopping budget with big retailers like Amazon and Walmart makes you nauseous, you may want to overhaul your strategy this year. By doing some research and going off the beaten path, you may find that an array of local small businesses offer exactly what you need to check off your holiday shopping list.

If you live in Richmond, Virginia, then you probably also know that shopping small with big results is a rather easy process. Generally, the town of Richmond is well known for embracing eclectic, local, small businesses that offer everything from housewares to homemade foods. Not only can you find fun and funky shops to explore throughout Richmond, but there’s no reason to think you can’t get a good deal on your purchases, too.

By using the right rewards credit card, you can also earn cash back or other types of rewards as you shop small this year. As you prepare for Small Business Saturday 2023, which is on November 25 this year, read on to learn about shopping in Richmond and all the fun stores and unique sights this capital city has to offer.

Shop

Richmond, Virginia, has all sorts of fun and trendy neighborhoods, including Scott’s Addition, Jackson Ward, Carytown, Church Hill and Union Hill. When it comes to shopping locally, these neighborhoods offer up all kinds of gifts, from vintage records to outdoor adventure apparel.

In Scott’s Addition, a funky thrift store called Class and Trash lets you explore cute finds while reducing the amount of clothes that hit the landfill each year. Meanwhile, a black-owned, woman-owned jewelry studio called Sun & Selene offers up everything from trendy rings and necklaces to fine jewelry.

In Jackson Ward, Gallery 5 makes it possible to shop for locally created art while listening to live tunes on the weekends. In Carytown, a gift shop called Mongrel makes it easy to discover rare finds and goofy gifts, while locally-owned World of Mirth offers a place to stock up on kids’ books and toys you may not find anywhere else.

Eat and drink

Eating and drinking locally is another major pastime in Richmond, especially for people who love craft beer and alcohol in general. There are breweries and distilleries galore throughout the city, with plenty of available options that are locally owned and operated.

Visitors and locals alike will also find all kinds of passionate food-makers throughout Richmond, from locally-owned bakeries to fine-dining restaurants.

Where should you eat and drink locally in Richmond? The Church Hill and Union Hill area is a good place to start, and you may want to begin your journey at The Roosevelt. This restaurant is nicely situated in an older building with historic Richmond charm, and it serves southern favorites along with a wonderful wine list.

Beer lovers should head to Scott’s Addition, which is home to several locally owned breweries including The Veil Brewing Co. and Vasen Brewing.

Starr Hill is another Scott’s Addition brewery worth checking out. This brewery boasts its own list of self-brewed craft beers, plus a huge selection of draft beer that is available throughout the year.

Another must-visit joint in Richmond, Perly’s, is located downtown. This small Jewish deli offers creative bites and dinners in an old retro-style cafe. Perly’s is not only famous for its pastrami sandwich (called Oy Vey!), but it is well known for its patty melts, reubens and appetizers like Schlubby Fries and potato latkes.

Explore

Richmond, Virginia, has a ton to do when you’re not shopping, eating and drinking. There are museums and galleries, dance halls and social clubs. Amazingly, many of the best haunts in Richmond are locally owned and operated by families in the area.

For example, The Circuit is Richmond’s arcade bar, and it’s a great place to have drinks while playing 80+ retro and modern video games including pinball and skeeball.

Meanwhile, Station 2 is a great spot to gather for your weekly trivia game. Housed in a renovated fire station built in 1899, you can show off your smarts while enjoying gourmet burgers, delicious deviled eggs, or a boozy milkshake.

Richmond’s Black History Museum and Cultural Center is also well worth a visit for history buffs. Not only can you check out this museum on your own, but you can also book guided educational tours directly on the museum website.

As mentioned, Richmond also hosts more than its share of art galleries featuring paintings, pottery, sculpture art and more. Some locally-owned galleries to check out include Art 180 and Candela, both of which are located in the Jackson Ward neighborhood.

Source: Google Maps

The bottom line

If you’ve been busy googling “local businesses near me,” this list of locally-owned businesses in Richmond, Virginia, should help you get a jump start on your gift list this year. As you can see from the shops and dining options in this guide, shopping in Richmond can be a lot of fun, and you definitely won’t get bored.

Small Business Saturday will be here before we know it, so it never hurts to keep a running list of places you want to visit early on. These Richmond stores can help you get everything you need and a bunch of things you didn’t know you wanted.