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Ukrop's gets a bigger footprint inside Richmond-area Kroger

A renovated Midlothian Kroger will soon feature a dedicated section for Ukrop's favorites.

Business

The Kroger on Midlothian near Winterfield is getting a bigger and bolder section for Ukrop&#x27;s products. Why it matters: It&#x27;s like Ukrop&#x27;s Super Markets never left us.

Inside the Italian market tucked into a Church Hill garage

Giorno Market is bring Euro summer to Richmond with imported Italian goods, peachy umbrellas and no AC.

Things to Do

Sabrina here. The closest thing to an Italian summer in Richmond might be a converted garage in Church Hill.Why it matters: Almost everything at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Giorno Market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/giornomarket/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="65986078-f114-408c-bd3d-a97c6e941fea" data-vars-headline="Inside the Italian market tucked into a Church Hill garage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/giornomarket/?hl=en" target="_blank">Giorno Market</a> is imported from Italy, its peachy umbrellas are reminiscent of those on the Amalfi Coast and the lack of AC will make you feel very European in no time.

Richmond restaurant hit with erroneous $60K water bill

Her usual bill is about $1,500, but a meter issue led to a $58,486 charge and a cash crunch.

News

A Richmond restaurant owner says the city mistakenly pulled roughly $60,000 from her bank account this week for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="utility bill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/07/08/richmond-dpu-utility-billing-problems-new-system-payments-account-numbers" data-vars-content-id="1c440395-771c-4e8c-bb8c-1adac040b2f5" data-vars-headline="Richmond restaurant hit with erroneous $60K water bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/07/08/richmond-dpu-utility-billing-problems-new-system-payments-account-numbers" target="_self">utility bill</a> that typically would&#x27;ve been around $1,500.Why it matters: The erroneous charge left <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Harry&#x27;s at Hofheimer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/10/16/scotts-addition-speakeasy" data-vars-content-id="1c440395-771c-4e8c-bb8c-1adac040b2f5" data-vars-headline="Richmond restaurant hit with erroneous $60K water bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/10/16/scotts-addition-speakeasy" target="_self">Harry&#x27;s at Hofheimer</a> owner Natalie McNamara scrambling to get her money back and raised fresh questions about the city&#x27;s billing system amid ongoing problems.

Chesterfield bucks Richmond-area trend with lower-density plan

Its draft plan would cut residential density 9.6% as neighboring localities embrace denser growth.

Chesterfield expects to add more than 100,000 residents by 2050. But its proposed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="long-term plan" data-vars-click-url="https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/chesterfieldcounty-va-planmod/doc-viewer.aspx#secid-683" data-vars-content-id="ea6c7aba-aa20-4a0d-870b-0b7b2e055277" data-vars-headline="Chesterfield bucks Richmond-area trend with lower-density plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/chesterfieldcounty-va-planmod/doc-viewer.aspx#secid-683" target="_blank">long-term plan</a> calls for less residential density countywide, not more. Why it matters: Chesterfield&#x27;s approach to growth stands out in the region. <ul><li>While <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Richmond" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/08/17/richmond-zoning-code-draft-three-duplexes-housing-corridors" data-vars-content-id="ea6c7aba-aa20-4a0d-870b-0b7b2e055277" data-vars-headline="Chesterfield bucks Richmond-area trend with lower-density plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/08/17/richmond-zoning-code-draft-three-duplexes-housing-corridors" target="_self">Richmond</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Henrico" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/08/06/lakeside-garden-district-mixed-use-development-traffic" data-vars-content-id="ea6c7aba-aa20-4a0d-870b-0b7b2e055277" data-vars-headline="Chesterfield bucks Richmond-area trend with lower-density plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/08/06/lakeside-garden-district-mixed-use-development-traffic" target="_self">Henrico</a> have explored adding more housing in neighborhoods and commercial corridors, Chesterfield is moving in the other direction.</li></ul>

Prehistoric giants are invading the Metro Richmond Zoo

A woolly mammoth, saber-toothed cat and more animatronic Ice Age beasts arrive Saturday.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Metro Richmond Zoo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/07/18/richmond-zoo-animals-extreme-summer-heat" data-vars-content-id="4e9a6cc3-1567-4709-a124-36f67163ff5b" data-vars-headline="Prehistoric giants are invading the Metro Richmond Zoo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/07/18/richmond-zoo-animals-extreme-summer-heat" target="_self">Metro Richmond Zoo</a> is going prehistoric. State of play: Ice Age Invasion — the zoo&#x27;s new limited-run exhibition — opens Saturday and brings 10 life-sized animatronics of long-extinct creatures to deep Chesterfield.

Party on a private island and more in Richmond this weekend

Plus: Opossum taxidermy, a water lantern festival and CatVideoFest.

If you’ve ever wanted to party <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="on a private island " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2022/06/15/how-to-buy-an-island-james-river-richmond" data-vars-content-id="3098c88e-a7ca-4420-a38f-d0b8732b126e" data-vars-headline="Party on a private island and more in Richmond this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2022/06/15/how-to-buy-an-island-james-river-richmond" target="_self">on a private island </a>in Richmond, this weekend is for you.

The world's largest yurt is for rent in Luray, Virginia

The three-story Shenandoah getaway sleeps 16 for about $1,000 a night — with a shot at winning $5,000.

Culture

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="world’s largest yurt" data-vars-click-url="https://lurayyurt.com/" data-vars-content-id="e65a986a-e9d6-495c-8a46-79545ca8f2c6" data-vars-headline="The world&#x27;s largest yurt is for rent in Luray, Virginia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://lurayyurt.com/" target="_blank">world’s largest yurt</a> — by bedrooms — is in Luray, Virginia.Why it matters: “Glamping” now looks like six king-sized bedrooms, a private home theater, an arcade, a barrel sauna and a private pond with kayaks.

Solo dining is surging in Virginia. Here's where to go in Richmond

Reservations for one are up 13% statewide, per OpenTable, and Richmonders are embracing the trend, too.

Food and Drink

Solo dining is having a moment in Virginia, with reservations for one up 13% year over year, per OpenTable data shared with Axios.Why it matters: That growth might look like another sign of America&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="loneliness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/05/30/americans-eating-along-happiness-report" data-vars-content-id="322014c9-ca61-4caa-968a-85f8eb33e6b1" data-vars-headline="Solo dining is surging in Virginia. Here&#x27;s where to go in Richmond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/05/30/americans-eating-along-happiness-report" target="_self">loneliness</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="epidemic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/03/surgeon-general-vivek-murthy-fights-loneliness" data-vars-content-id="322014c9-ca61-4caa-968a-85f8eb33e6b1" data-vars-headline="Solo dining is surging in Virginia. Here&#x27;s where to go in Richmond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/03/surgeon-general-vivek-murthy-fights-loneliness" target="_self">epidemic</a>. But many solo diners say eating alone offers a rare chance to slow down, reflect and savor the small stuff, reports <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Washington Post." data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2026/07/16/want-truly-appreciate-dining-out-eat-alone/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzg0MjYwODAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzg1NjQzMTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3ODQyNjA4MDAsImp0aSI6IjY3NmQ2ZDQ5LWY2MzEtNGFiNy05Mjg0LTE0NmY5MGMxMDhhZSIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9mb29kLzIwMjYvMDcvMTYvd2FudC10cnVseS1hcHByZWNpYXRlLWRpbmluZy1vdXQtZWF0LWFsb25lLyJ9.Uiytd5gDDZOXZlEPzwCS_cs471ZgpDX1UunlBO27VyE" data-vars-content-id="322014c9-ca61-4caa-968a-85f8eb33e6b1" data-vars-headline="Solo dining is surging in Virginia. Here&#x27;s where to go in Richmond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2026/07/16/want-truly-appreciate-dining-out-eat-alone/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzg0MjYwODAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzg1NjQzMTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3ODQyNjA4MDAsImp0aSI6IjY3NmQ2ZDQ5LWY2MzEtNGFiNy05Mjg0LTE0NmY5MGMxMDhhZSIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9mb29kLzIwMjYvMDcvMTYvd2FudC10cnVseS1hcHByZWNpYXRlLWRpbmluZy1vdXQtZWF0LWFsb25lLyJ9.Uiytd5gDDZOXZlEPzwCS_cs471ZgpDX1UunlBO27VyE" target="_blank">the Washington Post.</a>

Richmond's weekend is packed with racing and festivals

From the Cook Out 400 to Indigo Girls, Richmond has a full slate of summer events ahead.

It&#x27;s the weekend. Let&#x27;s get into it.

Perseid meteor shower peaks this week: How to watch in Richmond

Up to 50 meteors an hour could streak across the sky if the clouds cooperate.

One the biggest stargazing weeks of the year is here.Why it matters: Rain might be in the Richmond forecast, but we&#x27;re holding out hope for a few hours of clear skies.

How to spend two screen-free hours around Richmond

Maymont, city overlooks and the James make it easy to trade scrolling for a Richmond adventure.

Now it&#x27;s time to put down the phone and get outside.

Richmond's first dirty soda drive-thru is now open

Here's what to know about Sippa, which is bringing the viral Utah trend to a former bank building.

Richmond just got its first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dirty soda" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/12/10/dirty-soda-tiktok-drink-mormon-wives" data-vars-content-id="18de3556-73cf-4ad8-9a3b-687aa65465b3" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s first dirty soda drive-thru is now open" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/12/10/dirty-soda-tiktok-drink-mormon-wives" target="_self">dirty soda</a> drive-thru.Why it matters: Think <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="7-Brew" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/07/24/new-richmond-coffee-shops" data-vars-content-id="18de3556-73cf-4ad8-9a3b-687aa65465b3" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s first dirty soda drive-thru is now open" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/07/24/new-richmond-coffee-shops" target="_self">7-Brew</a>, but swap the coffee for customized sodas.

Richmond weekend guide: Watermelon Festival and Jazz Fest

It's a celebrity packed weekend that also includes a barbecue and hot dog parties.

Clear your schedule. Two of Richmond&#x27;s best festivals are this weekend.Spoiler: They involve watermelon and jazz.

Things to Do 🗓

Prehistoric giants are invading the Metro Richmond Zoo

Party on a private island and more in Richmond this weekend

Inside the Italian market tucked into a Church Hill garage

The world's largest yurt is for rent in Luray, Virginia

Solo dining is surging in Virginia. Here's where to go in Richmond