Axios Richmond
April 03, 2026
1 big thing: 💔 A Richmond goodbye
Redemption BBQ, named one of the South's best new barbecue restaurants, will serve its last tray of barbecue and pile of minced pork tomorrow after four years in business.
Why it matters: The challenges forcing the Short Pump restaurant to close are ones independent restaurant owners everywhere are grappling with.
- The economics of running the restaurant just no longer work, owner John Vest tells Axios.
State of play: The cost of everything has gone up, Vest says. But tariffs and now gas prices are pushing them even higher.
- The family farm in Amelia, where Redemption gets its chickens, is raising prices to cover its increased gas costs. The pork he gets from a Missouri farm started adding a 5% freight fee this year. His beef prices are up 10%.
Meanwhile, Vest is seeing a pullback from diners.
- Business in March was down 25%-30% compared to last March, even though he didn't raise prices.
Zoom out: Independent restaurant owners across the country say diners have hit a price ceiling and are scaling back to keep their bills in check, Axios' Kelly Tyko reported.
- And locally, more than three dozen restaurants have closed since the beginning of last year, including Heritage, Smoke & Barrel and Brickwood Barbecue.
Zoom in: Vest nearly closed Redemption two years ago, but a recognition from Southern Living convinced him to push on.
- He held off on closing for as long as he could, and long-since stopped paying himself while borrowing against his retirement and racking up debt to stay afloat.
- But last week, when it was clear he soon wouldn't be able to pay his staff or vendors, he made the call to close.
What's next: Redemption is open through Saturday, 11am-6pm, at 3420 Lauderdale Drive in Short Pump.
- Check their social before you go. They've sold out a few days this week and closed early.
- After that, Vest will pivot to making and distributing frozen Chicago-style deep dish pizzas, his long-running specialty item.
2. 😏 Rooftop bars are back
We've rounded up Richmond's best rooftops, from Carytown and the Fan to downtown and Shockoe.
Why it matters: Most of them just reopened, and there's nothing that makes life worth living quite like a drink with a view.
🌺 Quirk
Pro tip: Go to Bar Solita first for a Mega Mule (meant to be shared with 4 people) and then head over to Quirk's rooftop for sunset.
🍸 The Hof
Fun fact: This Scott's Addition rooftop is back this season with a new bar, new furniture, craft cocktails and a full-service restaurant.
Fun fact: This membership-only spot in the Arts District is the only rooftop bar in the city with an open pool.
Pro tip: Members can bring guests for free, so choose your friends wisely.
☀️ Solaire
Fun fact: It's the tallest rooftop bar in the city and took over the former Kabana space last year.
Pro tip: If it's raining, don't let that keep you away. Solaire has indoor seating.
Caveat: The Graduate's Byrd House rooftop doesn't open until April 10, per an Instagram post. But that's only a week away.
What we're watching: If they bring back their frosé slushies.
Pro tip: The Rockaway Beach Rooftop Tiki Bar has a happy hour from 3-7pm that includes $7 cocktails. They also have $7 milkshakes.
Full list with addresses, hours and six more options
4. 🍭 Not-so-sweet candy picks
Virginia is one of only three states that is above-average obsessed with Haribo Sour Easter Grass, according to DoorDash data.
Why it matters: Unlike most of the U.S., Virginians (and people in Delaware and Hawaii) seem to gravitate toward sour over sweet — which doesn't seem very southern of us.
The big picture: Reese's Peanut Butter Bunnies is the most uniquely popular Easter candy nationwide.
💭 Sabrina's thought bubble: Where's the justice for the Lindt Dark Chocolate Gold Bunny?!
💭 Karri's thought bubble: I demand a recount. Reese's forever.
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