Best of Virginia Winners

Staffed by cycling enthusiasts who ride every day, Carytown Bicycle Co. has been open since 2007. The shop offers several different types of bicycle repair and maintenance packages, and customers can enjoy free coffee or beer while they wait for their bike to be repaired. The shop sponsors a variety of group rides, as well as a donation-based Yoga for Cyclists class to keep bike enthusiasts limber for their next ride.

“Urban set” was 1920s slang for a fancy new dress, and Christine Haines aims to offer brides the individual attention and personal service of a high-end bridal shop to help them find their “urban set.” Brides of all shapes and sizes can shop for handmade designer gowns from local and international brands at one-on-one or small group appointments in this boutique that has been styling Richmond brides since 2014.

There is so much to see at Green Front that some customers make a whole day of it, spending hours in the 13 rustic, converted tobacco warehouses to shop for rugs, furniture, and home décor. There is more than 1,000,000 square feet of showroom space, and Green Front has the largest rug selection in North America. 

One of the largest antique malls in central Virginia, West End Antiques Mall houses more than 250 individual dealers in 53,000 square feet. George and Jonnie Earle founded WEAM in 1993 and moved from their original Horsepen Road location to their current one in 1999. Dealers carry all different styles of furniture, from Virginia colonial to midcentury modern.

Shop for new or L/Certified by Lexus used vehicles at this Richmond dealer. Founded in 1989, it has grown from just nine employees to more than 155, with 75,000 square feet of facilities. The service department was one of the first in the nation to achieve certification as a Lexus Benchmark Service organization. For 16 years, the dealer has recognized talented local youth with the Pursuit of Perfection Leadership Award that awards college scholarships.

Since its beginnings in the 1960s, Carreras has specialized in engagement rings. William Carreras started his jewelry career as a jeweler’s sales representative, selling engagement rings to his classmates at the University of Virginia. Now, Carreras sells designer and bridal jewelry from a variety of high-end designers, as well as estate jewelry, and offers appraisal, redesign, and repair services.

An open-air shopping mall, Short Pump Town Center is the place to go for name brand stores like Nordstrom, L.L. Bean, and Crate & Barrel. Fuel up for an afternoon of shopping at Cooper’s Hawk, or treat yourself afterwards at Godiva Chocolatier. Kids can ride the Short Pump Express, a trackless train that circulates through the mall.

In addition to its selection of new and used books, Chop Suey offers readings and other events to help support local and traveling authors. This spring, the shop is to publish its seventh book, a collection of work by local poets called Lingering in the Margins. Chop Suey’s cat, WonTon, can often be found sleeping in the shop window.

Shoppers tired of seeing the same clothes season after season will enjoy the curated selection at Clementine, where the team individually chooses every item. The team works with a network of consignors across the country to keep their selection fresh and carry well-known brands like J. Crew, Lululemon, and Madewell. Though the shop is small, it also offers online shopping—customers can get free shipping on orders of $50 or more or shop online and pick up in the store.

With a fleet of more than 15 delivery vans crisscrossing the Richmond area, Coleman Brothers has grown quite a bit from the small shop with less than five employees that it started as in 1971. The shop carries Shari’s Berries, Mrs. Fields, and Starbucks branded gifts and treats as well. 

Green Top aims to carry the best gear from the best brands sold by the most knowledgeable staff in the industry, who have decades of combined experience. Founded in 1947, it has grown to more than 130 employees and a 67,000-square-foot building. In addition to fishing, camping, boating and hunting gear, the outfitter carries locally made products like peanuts and fishing lures.

This local chain began in 1953 by Jack and Gloria Weiner as a children’s orthotic shoe store and is still a family-owned business. The largest shoe store in Virginia, Saxon carries more than 200 brands. The staff will fit you for dress shoes or personal orthotics. In addition to shoes in a variety of styles for men, women, and children, the shop also carries jewelry, Brighton handbags, and items from the Vera Bradley line. 

Levys was founded in the 1920s in Charlottesville and opened in Richmond’s Libbie and Grove neighborhood in 1991. This third generation family business’ mission is to bring accessible fashion to Richmond and help customers find the right clothing for their lifestyle, whether that’s career wear or cocktail attire—or both! 

Founded in 1972 by Franco Ambrogi, Franco’s has been a Richmond institution ever since. Its two locations are run by Franco’s children and son-in-law, keeping this local business in the family. Franco himself still oversees the in-house tailoring, and he can be found on the floor giving advice to customers.

Recreational Equipment, Inc., began as a group of 23 mountain climbing friends and is now the nation’s largest consumer cooperative, known for its conservation efforts and sustainable business practices. Lifetime memberships to the co-op are $20, which gives members access to special events and discounts. The Glen Allen location offers bike shop services and outdoor gear repair, as well as a variety of classes and workshops.

You won’t find gifts like coasters made to look like Richmond sewer covers at Hallmark, but you will find them at Mongrel. This shop on Cary Street specializes in artist-designed greeting cards and offbeat gifts from small companies. The shop also designs and produces its own line of giftware based on customer requests, and will be unveiling new products in the fall.