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5 new places to look forward to in Church Hill
Take a step back in time to a March 2008 round-up of places that we were anticipating:
Something as yet undetermined will be coming to the former site of Jumpin’ Js; rumor has BBQ coming to the former Rib Town USA; It Must Be Heaven has to open some day right?; Y’all’s Grill should be opening in the former Malone’s Place by the end of the month.
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Nothing ever did open in the Jumpin’ J’s spot, It Must Be Heaven didn’t last, Y’all’s Grill came and went, Que Pasa faded away, and House of Homemade couldn’t hold on. Despite all of that, it has still been an amazing few years of growth up here.
In the spirit of the times, it seems pretty certain that we are better off than we were 4 years ago: Alamo BBQ is open on Jefferson Avenue and has been a hit since day one, The Hill Cafe stays strong, Anthony’s on the Hill has been well received, Str8 Out of Philly is rocking the sandwiches, Captain Buzzy’s holds down it’s coffee corner, OMG Cafe is knocking it out on 25th Street, The Roosevelt was the 2012 Restaurant of the Year, and Hogtober has brought the bbq party back to Libby Hill. Not bad at all…
To mark what feels like another moment on the cusp, here are 5 places that we can hope to see open in the next few months:
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Sub Rosa Bread
If you follow Sub Rosa on Facebook, you know that Evrim was selling fresh bread, croissants, and seeded braids (orgullu acma) out of the store on 25th Street over the weekend. No word on when Sub Rosa will be open daily, but it can’t be that far off!
Sub Rosa
620 North 25th Street
Facebook
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Proper Pie
With an opening target of October, Neil and Nikki are wrapping up a Kickstarter campaign and getting ready to bring New Zealand-style savory pies to Church Hill.
Proper Pie
2505 East Broad Street
Facebook | @ProperPieCo
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Johnson’s Southern Comfort
The OMG Cafe spin-off originally announced for November 2011 is still in the works. Word has it that the interior is ready to go and that the space has been transformed with an amazing bar.
Johnson’s Southern Comfort
2306 Jefferson Avenue
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Dutch & Co
The build out continues. There’s no paper in the windows at Dutch and Go. though, so go to 27th and Marshall and peek in on ’em. If you can’t wait, get down to Aziza’s for a teaser of what’s coming.
Dutch & Co
400 North 27th Street
Facebook
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WPA Bakery
While David is already in the spot baking up the cakes and pies for their wholesale clients, the walk-up retail space should be open by November 1.
WPA Bakery
2707 East Marshall Street
wpabakery.com | @wpabakery | Facebook
We are so lucky to have such real food in walking distance. So lucky, except when I get on the scale.
I’m looking forward to all the new faces on the Hill. I’ve tried most of their food and it rocks. We might need a gym up here next, though.
Shame they won’t last a year.
Delrose, you’re an idiot.
Brandon, i second that.
Can I third that?
This is a much stronger crop than we’ve had in the past. I think folks are realizing that they need a competent business plan and good products to succeed up here (just like they do anywhere). In years past, I think this area may have attracted some half baked (no pun intended) ideas just because of cheaper rent. People couldn’t make it work in Carytown so they tried it here.
New businesses always have a pretty high failure rate but I’d be shocked if at least 2-3 of these aren’t fixtures in the neighborhood by next year. I’d be less surprised to see all five going than I would for all of them to fail.
It’s been 2 steps forward, 1 step back in recent years but we’re slowly netting out to a pretty decent foundation of strong businesses around the Hill/ Bottom area. I think a few more are coming in this batch.
Of the 5, I’d say two are guaranteed winners, two more are very strong possibilities and the fifth is intriguing but the jury is still out. Just my opinion.
I can’t wait for all these new businesses to open! I plan to welcome them warmly with my dinero 🙂 I’d much rather spend money up here whenever possible.
Had Sub Rosa bread and croissant today. Both were outstanding. This place is legit and will be a great addition to the neighborhood.
haters gonna hate
The New Church Hill
http://www.richmondmagazine.com/dine/blogs.php?blogID=0d8b165ad4ecff6efaeb869de674561d