Meet Bree Dodd, this week's guest editor! She is an advocate of embracing a multi-hyphenate lifestyle and likes to answer the question "So, what do you do?" with many "ands..." Currently, Bree can be found as a change agent with Open Eye (watch out for their RVA launch later this month), teaching yoga (sign up for weekly zero-cost classes straight to your inbox), working at a brewery (say hi to her on Saturdays at The Veil), and launching a new business (stay tuned for details in Q2, wink-wink). Her passion for community, inclusivity, wellness, entrepreneurship, and small businesses, helps Bree cultivate space for people to connect, to live by their definition of well, and to feel seen and heard. You can link up with her by following @bree.dodd, where you may or may not get talked into a coffee date, as it's no secret that this is her favorite pastime. Here are Bree's tips for exploring and celebrating this place that we all love to call home.
Take it away, Bree ...
RVA Community
Fridges
One of the many reasons I fell in love with Richmond is because we're a city of do-gooders. Richmonders actively seek out ways to get involved, to roll up their sleeves, and to find places to make a lasting impact. One such place is RVA Community Fridges, a small group of BIPOC community organizers promoting equal access to healthy food options by giving it away for free. You can get involved by donating, dropping off food, and helping scout new locations. Richmond's first community fridge can be found at Pomona Plants in Union Hill, where you can pop in some fresh fruits and veggies. Afterward, hang around for a bit to celebrate an amazing local, small business and scoop up something green for your home before you leave. And while you're at it, don't forget to pre-order an Open Sign Calendar celebrating Black-owned restaurants in Richmond -- each calendar month features a different entrepreneur and 100% of the profits go to RVA Community Fridges!
On the hunt to furnish a new apartment I stumbled into the cutest lil' vintage shop on Main Street at the old Baja Bean location. You can shop Boho To Go online or in-store for decor and furnishings from the past, for the now. Bonus: I think the owner, Jen, is quite possibly the sweetest person I've ever met. Jen, who is a registered nurse, will tell you that she grew up thrifting and garage sale-ing for her grandparents' antique business in upstate NY so the thrill of the hunt is in her blood. She loves breathing new life into forgotten inanimate objects of yesterday, so you'll always leave with a good conversation and a unique piece to show off.
For my first two years in Richmond I lived and owned a business in Shockoe Bottom and could not be convinced that I would ever leave. I now cannot be convinced that I will ever leave Forest Hill and think my new neighborhood deserves some much-deserved attention. On a sunny day, grab yourself a coffee from Blanchard's Forest Hill Cafe or The Westover Kitchen & Provisions and head down to Reddy Creek for a long trail walk. Give me a shout when you see me hopping rocks with a latte in one hand and the leash of my Bernese Mountain Dog in the other! When you're ready for some more fun, hit up my favorite tropical diner, Little Nickel. You can enjoy delicious food and funky cocktails to-go or dine-in, inside or on the patio (and no, you don't need an extra order of the nachos, one is enough).
A celebration of Black-owned restaurants in Richmond. Each calendar month, from March 2021 to February 2022, features a different entrepreneur. 100% of calendar profits support RVA Community Fridge.
