Jack Jacobs
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Business reporter covering restaurants, startups, cannabis, economic development, retail, etc. for @rvabizsense. Send me a tip: Jack@RichmondBizSense.com
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Articles by Jack Jacobs
New youth sports facility 360 Fieldhouse breaks ground in Moseley
From left, Chesterfield Supervisor Kevin Carroll; Mike Beville; Ryan Marable; J.C. Poma, executive director of Chesterfield’s tourism department; and Sean Beville. (Images courtesy of 360 Fieldhouse) Construction has kicked off on a new indoor sports facility in western Chesterfield. A groundbreaking ceremony was held last week for 360 Fieldhouse, a 28,000-square-foot venue at 21114 Hull Street Road that is planned to feature three multi-purpose basketball courts and an indoor turf field.
Railroad contractor Cranemasters building new crane model at local manufacturing plant
Cranemasters working at a 2019 train derailment in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. The Chesterfield company is marking 40 years this month and is underway on the production of a new crane. (Photos courtesy of Cranemasters) As it steams into its fourth decade in business, a Chesterfield-based railroad contractor is in the midst of rolling out a new line of mobile cranes.
Chocolate shop Gearharts makes a sweet deal for Henrico candy bar maker Miss Maude’s
Charlottesville-based Gearharts Fine Chocolates, which is owned by Tim Gearhart, recently bought local chocolate bar maker Miss Maude’s. (Photo courtesy Gearharts) Nearly three years after reopening its local outpost, Charlottesville-based Gearharts Fine Chocolates has scooped up a fellow sweets maker that until recently operated a store in Henrico. Gearharts recently acquired local candy bar maker Miss Maude’s Bar of Chocolates.
Sheltering Arms opening facility in old Forever 21 at Regency mall
Sheltering Arms, which provides programming for people with disabilities, is planning to open a new location at Regency. (Jack Jacobs photo) Another medical tenant has signed on as part of Regency’s mixed-use transformation. Sheltering Arms recently inked a lease for a nearly 25,000-square-foot space on the second floor of the former Forever 21 store at the western Henrico mall.
Nonprofit behind Good Foods Grocery launches coffee cart training program as it plans second store
Commonwealth Autism recently launched a coffee cart under the new Brewing Opportunities initiative. (Courtesy Commonwealth Autism) Three years after acquiring a South Richmond grocery store, Commonwealth Autism is looking to expand its retail footprint while also growing its workforce development programming. The nonprofit organization that owns and operates Good Foods Grocery recently launched Brewing Opportunities, the newest offering from its Career Readiness and Employment program.
Whole Foods sets opening date for first Chesterfield store
Whole Foods plans to open next month at Midlothian Depot, the new mixed-use development at Midlothian Turnpike and Alverser Drive. (Jack Jacobs photos) Chesterfield’s first Whole Foods is opening its doors soon. The grocery chain announced Wednesday that its 36,000-square-foot store planned at Midlothian Depot will open Nov. 19. With the anchor grocery store just weeks from opening, construction is essentially complete on the commercial portions of the Midlothian Depot project.
200-acre, Kroger-anchored Nunnally Village project gets Chesterfield Planning Commission endorsement
A conceptual plan for the Nunnally Village project, with residential areas shown in yellow and multi-use in orange. (County documents) A massive mixed-use development in western Chesterfield is working its way through the county’s zoning approval process.
Kole Tang Aquatics opens brick-and-mortar aquarium shop in Henrico
From left, Kole Tang Aquatics technician Josh Moss, owner Kole Elkin and store manager Jay Holcomb. (Jack Jacobs photos) A local company that installs and maintains aquariums now has a retail store on West Broad Street. Kole Tang Aquatics opened its new shop last week at 7250 W. Broad St. The store sells saltwater and freshwater fish as well as coral, aquariums, lights and filters.
Sandwich chain Which Wich returning to the region
Which Wich is planning to open a location at Chesterfield Towne Center next year. Pictured is the spot the sandwich chain formerly operated at Westchester Commons. (BizSense file) A national sandwich chain is making a local comeback. Which Wich is planning to open at Chesterfield Towne Center in January, company spokesperson Hala Habal said Monday. It will mark a return to the Richmond market for Which Wich, after the last of the chain’s previous wave of area locations closed in 2025.
Interior design studio Flourish Spaces relocates within River Road shopping center
Flourish Spaces owner Stevie McFadden, right, and retail manager Audie McDougall. The interior design studio recently relocated within the River Road II Shopping Center in Henrico. (Courtesy Flourish Spaces) A local interior design firm has traded spaces to further emphasize an expansion into retail it made a few years ago. Flourish Spaces opened earlier this month at 5029 Huguenot Road, just a few doors down from the design studio and retail shop’s previous home in the same shopping center.
Hotel next to The Crossings Golf Club to be razed for 350-unit retirement community
A conceptual plan of the 350-unit senior living facility being planned by Pinnacle Living for the site of the Virginia Crossings Hotel & Conference Center. (Images courtesy county documents) A local senior living facilities operator has a $150 million redevelopment project planned for the hotel and conference complex next to The Crossings Golf Club in Henrico. Pinnacle Living wants to build a 350-unit complex at 1000 Virginia Center Parkway.
‘A new realm for me’: Veteran residential agent tries his hand at retail development with new project in Moseley
A two-building, 15,000-square-foot commercial project is slated to be built at the intersection of Hull Street Road and Hampton Farms Drive. (Courtesy John O’Reilly) After decades in the residential real estate world, John O’Reilly is donning his retail development cap for the first time.
Flavor Hive cooking up second local spot at Chesterfield Towne Center
Flavor Hive sells rice bowls and quesadillas, and is known for its walking tacos. (Courtesy Flavor Hive) An out-of-town restaurant chain is going for a double portion in the Richmond region. Flavor Hive, a fast-casual concept known for its “walking tacos,” is planning to open a location at Chesterfield Towne Center. The mall outpost would operate out of the former Five Guys spot, according to a building permit filed with Chesterfield County.
Data center developer’s conditional-use permit appeal denied by Chesterfield BZA
Reston-based developer WestDulles was unsuccessful in its appeal of a county staff determination that it needs a conditional use permit to build a data center campus on hundreds of acres in James River Industrial Center. (BizSense file images) For at least the second time this year, the Chesterfield Board of Zoning Appeals has blocked a developer’s challenge to the county’s conditional-use permit requirement for data center projects.
New ABC store planned for Shops at Stratford Hills
The ABC recently signed a lease for a new retail location slated to open in the coming months at the Shops at Stratford Hills. Pictured is the ABC store on Forest Avenue that would be moved to the shopping center across the street. (Jack Jacobs photos) A shuttered South Richmond home goods store has been partially taken over by the state’s booze purveyor.
Goodwill pays $2M for old Midlothian bank branch for new drive-thru-only drop-off center
Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia spent $2 million to acquire a former bank branch in Midlothian for a planned donations drop-off center. (BizSense file) Goodwill has scooped up a shuttered bank branch in Chesterfield County amid other moves to expand its regional retail presence.
Tile retailer Architessa leaving Shockoe for new showroom in Scott’s Addition
Maryland-based ceramics retailer Architessa is leaving Shockoe Bottom with plans to open a showroom in Scott’s Addition in early 2027. (BizSense file photo) A tile company’s local outpost is exiting Shockoe Bottom and moving west to Scott’s Addition. Architessa, which sells residential and commercial stone and tile products, porcelain slabs and wood and vinyl flooring, plans to relocate its local showroom to a ground-floor retail space at the Soda Flats development at 2820 W.
French-Asian bakery chain has location in the works near Brandermill
Tous Les Jours is expanding its local presence with a location planned in the Brandermill area of Chesterfield. (Jack Jacobs photo) Tous Les Jours is doubling down south of the river. The French-Asian bakery chain, which sells breads, cakes and pastries as well as coffee and tea, has a new location in the works at 4537 Commonwealth Centre Parkway in Chesterfield, according to a recently filed building permit.
VCU Health to plant its flag in Carytown with new CT facility
VCU Health plans to open its CT center in part of the building occupied by Patient First, which would continue to operate at the site. (Jack Jacobs photo) VCU Health is expanding to Carytown for the first time. The health system recently secured regulatory approval to establish a CT center at 12 N. Thompson St., where it would occupy a portion of the Patient First building.
Women’s clothing store Cosette now open in the Fan
Ariel Richards recently opened clothing store Cosette in the Fan neighborhood of Richmond. (Jack Jacobs photos) After working in retail and fashion off and on for years, Ariel Richards has opened a store of her own. Richards this month opened Cosette, a women’s clothing shop at 427 Strawberry St. in the Fan.
Center of the Universe brewery brings Mexican mobile kitchen into its orbit
Center of the Universe Brewing Co. and Casa Herradura recently launched a partnership in which the Mexican restaurant operates a mobile kitchen at the brewery. (Jack Jacobs photos) A local Mexican restaurant is taking up permanent residency at the Center of the Universe. Casa Herradura is now operating a mobile kitchen on a permanent basis at Center of the Universe Brewing Co.’s main taproom, at 11293 Air Park Road near Ashland.
Grove Eye Care now open at Regency mall in Henrico
Grove Eye Care opened last week in a portion of Regency’s old food court, part of which is home to the recently opened Tee Box. (Jack Jacobs photos) Regency’s revamped food court is now home to a long-running local optometry practice. Grove Eye Care opened last week in a section of the western Henrico mall that for years was occupied by restaurants but more recently reimagined as part of the property’s larger ongoing redevelopment.
Pottery studio Hand Thrown firing up expansion in Northside
Hand Thrown is relocating to another, larger spot on Brookland Park Boulevard after eight years in its current location. (Jack Jacobs photos) A Northside pottery studio is relocating to a larger space on the same street where it first opened nearly a decade ago. Hand Thrown is moving to 410 W. Brookland Park Blvd., which is twice as big and just a few blocks away from its current spot.
RFP in the works to build pre-treatment facility for toxic liquids at embattled Shoosmith landfill
Efforts are underway to develop a request for proposals to build and operate a pre-treatment facility at the Shoosmith landfill in Chesterfield. (Jack Jacobs photo) State and local officials are in the early stages of finding a company that would manage the initial treatment of toxic liquids at the bankrupt Shoosmith landfill in Chesterfield County. A request for proposals seeking prospects to build and operate a new pre-treatment facility at the embattled landfill is currently in the works.
Sheetz now open on site of razed Walgreens in Short Pump
Convenience store and gas station chain Sheetz has opened a new location in Short Pump, further growing its local presence. (Courtesy Sheetz) Sheetz has added a new outpost in Short Pump to its growing local footprint. The Pennsylvania-based convenience store and gas station chain opened this week at 11500 W. Broad St. in western Henrico.
Page Auto Group owner planning mixed-use project with Sheetz and townhomes in Mechanicsville
A conceptual plan for the project planned at Creighton Parkway and Mechanicsville Turnpike, which would feature commercial space and 120 townhomes. (County documents) A prominent local car dealer’s plan to develop a mixed-use project in Mechanicsville is moving through Hanover’s zoning approval process.
Pre-owned video game store powering up in Chesterfield
Nicole and Luke Baab are planning to open video game Retro Room next month in Chesterfield. (Photos courtesy of Retro Room) After eight years of selling pre-owned video games through a subscription service and then at pop-ups, Retro Room is leveling up with a new shop south of the James. Husband-and-wife co-owners Luke and Nicole Baab plan to open a a brick-and-mortar location for Retro Room next month at 10060 Robious Road in Chesterfield.
Bike shop Conte’s moves to larger space in Short Pump
Conte’s Bike Shop recently moved its Short Pump location to a larger space in the West Broad Marketplace center. (Jack Jacobs photo) Looking to keep pace with the growing popularity of e-bikes, a Virginia-based bicycle shop chain has gone bigger in Short Pump. Conte’s Bike Shop opened earlier this month at 12228 W. Broad St., where it has taken over a 6,700-square-foot space near the TJ Maxx at West Broad Marketplace.
Coffee chain 7 Brew planning new locations in Chesterfield, Henrico
A rendering of the 7 Brew planned on Iron Bridge Road, which is one of several of the drive-thru cafes in the works in the region. (Courtesy county documents) One of the players in the increasingly competitive drive-thru coffee shop market has new spots in the works in the Richmond region. 7 Brew recently filed plans for the construction of a new location near the Chesterfield government offices, while it also has a zoning request for a store in the works near White Oak Village in eastern Henrico.
CarMax lays off 145 corporate employees, nearly half of them based in Richmond area
CarMax has laid off about 145 corporate employees, including dozens in the Richmond area. (BizSense file photo) For at least the second time this year, CarMax has shed dozens of local employees as part of a larger round of layoffs. The Goochland-based used car seller last week laid off about 145 employees from corporate offices, including about 60 employees based in the Richmond area, a company spokeswoman confirmed.
Bon Secours pays $9M for future Chesterfield ER on site of razed Ukrop’s store
Bon Secours is moving forward with plans for a new ER in Chesterfield, following the acquisition of the project site near Iron Bridge Road and Chippenham Parkway. (BizSense file) Bon Secours has sealed a seven-figure deal to secure a site for another ER in Chesterfield. The health system last week inked the $8.9 million purchase of a 20-acre parcel at 5201 Chippenham Crossing Center, where it plans to build a freestanding emergency room.
State releases draft regulations for recreational pot market launching in ‘27
The Cannabis Control Authority, which will oversee Virginia’s upcoming recreational marijuana market, recently released draft regulations for the market. (BizSense file) With the legalization of recreational marijuana sales slated to take effect in less than a year in Virginia, state officials have unveiled proposed rules that would govern the industry out of the gate.
Bottoms Up Pizza’s new owner plans improvements, aims to ‘maintain the legacy’
Bottoms Up Pizza, which has operated in Shockoe Bottom since the 1990s, recently changed hands. (Jack Jacobs photos) When Tom Schaefer, who considers himself a pizza aficionado from a state known for its pies, first moved to Richmond there was one restaurant in particular he was urged to try. “I’m a Jersey boy in my heart. That’s where I was born and raised. Love pizza,” Schaefer said.
Kiln-fired growth: Create Pottery Shop doubles size in Chesterfield
Pottery shop Create is expanding into an adjacent space in the Commonwealth Center retail development. Create anticipates being operational in the added space in October. (Jack Jacobs photo) A Chesterfield pottery shop is molding an expansion a few years after changing ownership. Create Pottery Shop has taken over a storefront next to its current home in the Commonwealth Center retail development near Brandermill in a move that will double its size.
VCU’s West Grace dorm, School of Dentistry projects roll forward with $182M in contract approvals
VCU’s West Grace Street Housing Project would bring nearly 1,000 new beds to the campus. The dorm is expected to open in 2028. (BizSense file courtesy Glave & Holmes) The VCU Board of Visitors has OK’d construction contracts tied to a massive dorm planned on West Grace Street as well as a new dentistry school in downtown Richmond.
Publix inks lease for new store near Brandermill
Publix is adding to its local presence, which includes the pictured location at White Oak Village in Henrico, with a store near the Brandermill area of Chesterfield. (BizSense file photo) A Florida-based grocery store chain has officially revealed its plans to expand its presence in Chesterfield County. Publix announced Wednesday that it has signed a lease for a store at the upcoming Shoppes at Old Hundred, a new retail development planned at Woolridge and Old Hundred roads.
Construction on $565M Powhite Parkway extension project to start this winter
The terminus of the Powhite Parkway in Chesterfield. The county is preparing to issue RFPs tied to the construction of the initial segments of the roadway’s extension. (BizSense file photo courtesy of Chesterfield) Construction of the long-planned Powhite Parkway extension is expected to shift into gear in a matter of months. County officials say that initial phases of the $565 million project are slated to start construction this winter.
University of Richmond completes $66M library project
The Boatwright Memorial Library has been renovated and received upgrades to its HVAC among other improvements as part of a recently completed $66 million project. (Photos courtesy University of Richmond) The Boatwright Memorial Library’s multi-year renovation is now in the books.
New neighborhood market opens in former Cross Brothers Grocery building in Ashland
Hugh Lee recently opened Center Street Market in Ashland. (Courtesy Center Street Market) A new neighborhood market is now open in the longtime home of a venerable Ashland grocery brand. Center Street Market debuted in early August at 107 S. Railroad Ave., where it has taken over part of the downtown building that for decades was occupied by Cross Brothers Grocery.
Sandwich chains Capriotti’s, Cheba Hut stacking up in Chesterfield and Colonial Heights
Following the opening of the first Richmond-area Capriotti’s in June, the sandwhich chain’s local operator is planning his second location in Chesterfield. (File photo courtesy Capriotti’s) Sandwich shop chains known respectively for Thanksgiving-themed subs and marijuana branding are eyeing new local outposts. Capriotti’s has signed a lease on its second shop in Chesterfield County, while Cheba Hut is expanding from Chesterfield to Colonial Heights.
VCU Health awards cleaning services contract to new vendor, to pay $26M in first year
VCU Health has tapped a new contractor to handle cleaning services at the health system’s downtown Richmond acute-care facilities. (BizSense file photo) One vendor is out and another is on the way in to take over a lucrative cleaning services contract at VCU Health’s Richmond facilities.
Coffee chain Foxtail planning new spot near Brandermill
Foxtail Coffee Co. is planning a new location in the Brandermill area of Chesterfield, which would follow cafes that have opened in Midlothian and Short Pump within the last couple years. (BizSense file) A coffee shop chain that’s still relatively new to the Richmond region is brewing up another local location. Foxtail Coffee Co. plans to open a new cafe next year at 2101 Chartermark Drive in Chesterfield, company spokeswoman Beth Cocchiarella said. It’ll be the company’s third outpost locally.
Future hotel site at Courthouse Landing sold to local firm Kalyan Hospitality
Another piece of the Courthouse Landing project moves forward with the recent sale of land slated for a Townplace Suites hotel. (BizSense file) One of the next legs of the Courthouse Landing project in Chesterfield is now in local hands.
Developer Rogers-Chenault planning 210-unit Stillwater Village project next to Hanover Airport
Stillwater Village would be built on 72 acres between county airport and the Wegmans distribution center in Hanover. (Images courtesy county documents) A proposal to build a mostly residential development next to Hanover Airport has started to make its way down the runway.
Goodwill to open its first priced-per-pound outlet store in Henrico, retail outpost in Chester
The Goodwill store at Fountain Square shopping center, which is near the intersection of West Broad and Parham Road, is planning to relocate to the former Big Lots in the same center. (Jack Jacobs photos) A thrift-store chain is going bigger and introducing an outlet location in western Henrico, as it also prepares to open its first new Chesterfield store in more than a decade. Goodwill is planning to open a combo outlet-and-retail location early next year in the former Big Lots at 8028 W.
Nordstrom Rack to open first local store in western Henrico next year
Nordstrom Rack has signed a lease at Westpark Shopping Center, where it plans to open in late 2027. (Photo courtesy of Nordstrom) Nordstrom is making a return to western Henrico with the impending arrival of a new outpost of its off-price retail brand. Nordstrom Rack is slated to open in fall 2027 at the Westpark Shopping Center, the company announced Thursday. The store would operate in the 30,000-square-foot space at 9819 W. Broad St., which was formerly occupied by Painted Tree Boutiques.
Ellwood Thompson’s parent company stockholders OK merger with data center firm
The parent company of Ellwood Thompson’s is a step closer to a reverse merger with a data center company after stockholders approved the deal this week. (BizSense file) The combination of Ellwood Thompson’s publicly traded parent company and a data center developer is moving forward.
Chesterfield says it won’t approve any more data center projects
Google’s data center campus code-named Project Skye is the largest site with the most data center buildings planned by the tech company in Chesterfield. Construction of the first building at the site near Magnolia Green is expected to start next year. (Images courtesy of Chesterfield) Chesterfield is pulling the plug on the future growth of data centers in the county.
First residential portion of The Lake in Chesterfield breaks ground
The 258-unit Vida on the Lake is the first residential project to break ground at the mixed-use Lake project in Chesterfield. (Courtesy The Breeden Co.) A Virginia Beach-based developer is moving forward with the construction of hundreds of residential units at The Lake mixed-use project in Chesterfield. The Breeden Co. broke ground this month on Vida on the Lake, which is planned to feature 258 units on the western edge of the water feature-anchored development taking shape near Brandermill.
Warehouses proposed at 154-acre site on Courthouse Road in Chesterfield
Developer Childress Klein is seeking to rezone land currently owned by Southside Church for an industrial project. (Courtesy county documents) A flight of warehouses is seeking permission to land near Chesterfield County Airport. Charlotte-based developer Childress Klein has filed a rezoning application to tee up 850,000 square feet of warehouse, distribution and other industrial uses on a 154-acre site at 6915 Courthouse Road.
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