Richmond Shopping Tips by b1bob Top 5 Page for this destination

West End Antique Mall: West End Antique Mall

Many antique malls are all over the lot when it comes to things offered, but this one is more furniture and decor oriented. It is so expansive (250 booths across over 50000 square feet) they should offer you a map or a bag of breadcrumbs so you can find your way back. This brought back some memories for me because this used to be the old Best Products toy store at the Crossroads Shopping Centre. West End Antiques Mall is open seven days a week.

HOURS: Monday – Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm; Sunday 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

They are closed New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Address: 2004 Staples Mill Road

Directions: West End Antiques Mall is located near the intersection of Staples Mill Rd. and West Broad St. in the Crossroads Shopping Center, minutes from I-95 and I-64.

Phone: 804.359.1600

Theme: Antiques

Website: http://www.westendantiquemall.com

Mi Guerrero Grill: Latin market in the East End

For several years, Latin bodegas have arrived in Richmond, but most of them are either in the West End or along the Hull Street corridor between the James River and Chippenham Parkway. Mi Guerrero is a Latino market and grill in the east end. It is in a newer bank of shops at the periphery of Fairfield Commons (formerly Eastgate) Mall.

What to buy: For this occasion, I came for corn tortillas for carnitas that night. I discovered there was also a small restaurant.

What to pay: The prices were reasonable. Things that have to be imported are a little more expensive.

Address: 61 S. Laburnum Ave., Richmond, VA 23223

Phone: (804) 222-8004

Theme: Food and Drink

El Jardin Latino Market: El Jardin

El Jardin ("the garden" for those from Roxboro) is one of a growing number of Latino markets in the West End of Richmond. There is all manner of Latino foods and spices you couldn't readily find even in the international aisle of most area supermarkets. There is also a small restaurant in this market I'm going to have to try.

What to buy: I always go to El Jardin and other such markets for coffee. Not only did I find the Pilão (Brazilian) coffee there, but I also found a robust Honduran blend. Aside from coffee, I get locally-made tortillas, arepas, and various spices.

Address: 8046 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23294

Directions: FROM I-95: Take exit 79 to merge onto I-64 West 2.9 mi (4.7 km);
Take exit 183C to merge onto US-250 W/W Broad St toward Glenside Dr N 1.9 mi (3.1 km);
Destination is on the right.

Phone: (804) 270-1474

Theme: Food and Drink

European Deli: a bit of Odessa in Richmond European Deli Review

I don't mean Odessa, Texas, folks, more like Odessa, Ukraine, where the owner hails from. The European Deli on West Broad Street at Tuckernuck Square Shopping Centre brings Eastern Europe home to a surprisingly large slice of that community in the Richmond area. Some of the packages are in either English and Russian (in the cyrillic alphabet) or all Russian.

What to buy: It features a deli and Russian and other Eastern European canned and baked goods, meats, cheeses, beers, including eastern European cheeses, and Russian caviar. My mama likes teas as much as I like coffee. So, she got herself some tea. I was looking for some kvas (a Russian drink made in part from fermented bread that I discovered at a Russian restaurant). Sadly, they didn't have it as of March, 2009, but I'll go back. I like the owners.

Address: 9026 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23294

Directions: From I-95: Merge onto E PARHAM RD/VA-73 S via EXIT 83B (5.1 mi, 8.2 km). Turn RIGHT onto W BROAD ST/US-250 (0.8 mi, 1.3 km). Store on the right between Babies 'R Us and Chuck E. Cheese's.

Phone: (804) 346-8878

Theme: Food and Drink

The Shops at White Oak Village: It's all here The Shops at White Oak Village Review

Those familiar in passing with Richmond, on hearing the name "The Shops at White Oak Village" would assume it's an upmarket (snooty) galleria in the affluent West End. On the contrary, while a contrast to the down market strip malls nearby, it is much more modest than Short Pump Town Centre in the West End and Stony Point on the south side. It opened in the autumn of 2008. Its anchor stores are Target, J.C. Penney, Sam's Club, Lowe's, Office Max, Circuit City, and Pet Smart. There are a whole host of smaller retailers for a total of 40 stores and restaurants in all.

Address: 4501 South Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA 23231

Directions: From I-64: Take exit 195 for Laburnum Ave 0.4 mi (0.6 km); Turn right at S Laburnum Ave 0.6 mi (1 km); Make a U-turn at Audubon Rd. Shopping centre on the right.

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.theshopsatwhiteoakvillage.com

The Capitol Shop: Unique gifts here are a capitol idea The Capitol Shop Review

The Capitol Shop features nearly 800 square feet (244 sq. m.) of merchandise celebrating all things Virginia. The Shop, located just inside the new Capitol Restoration and Expansion, opened to the public 1 May 2007, after the rededication ceremony. Proceeds from Shop sales benefit the Virginia Historical Society and the Virginia Capitol Foundation. The Capitol Shop is a great way to introduce the many visitors that come through the Capitol every year to the Virginia Historical Society.

HOURS: Monday–Saturday, 9:00 am–5:00 pm (except holidays).

What to buy: There are numerous things similar to those offered the Museum Shop, located in the lobby of the Virginia Historical Society, but also features items unique to the Capitol. Visitors will also enjoy browsing the wide range of Virginia history books.

en español, em português

Directions: In the underground pathway from the Bank Street entrance to the Capitol.

Theme: Gifts

Gayton Crossing: The Neighbourhood Shopping Centre Gayton Crossing Review

Gayton Crossing is a colonial-style shopping centre which has been at the crossing of Gayton, Gaskins, and Quioccasin Roads in Richmond's west end since the mid 1980s. It has more of a neighbourhood feel because a larger proportion of stores are operated by the owner than at most strip malls, although there are notable chains like Kroger, Blockbuster, and Starbuck's. The faux colonial architecture is reminiscent of old town centres, which, ironically, strip malls such as this helped ruin. This false nostalgia seems congruent with Richmond's West End.

What to buy: There are over 50 stores, restaurants and services at Gayton Crossing. Some of the more prominent tenants are Ukrop's, The Attic, the Melting Pot, Chianti Italian Restaurant, and Dollar Town. Practically every category represented in VT's type selection applies here. I go here mainly for the fine dining.

en español, en français, em português

What to pay: As is typical in the Far West End, it leans to the upscale, but bargains can be found at Dollar Town if nowhere else.

Directions: Detailed Directions

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.gaytoncrossing.com

Cary Court Park & Shop: Old fashioned strip mall Cary Court Park & Shop Review

Cary Court is a small, cozy, old fashioned true neighbourhood shopping centre (as opposed to Gayton Crossing in the West End which plays one on TV). There are less than 10 shops here, among which are Creatures 'n Crooks (a bookstore), Hair Cuttery, Richmond Camera, and Pink (a women's clothing store). This shopping centre stands out because of its art deco design and its genuine air.

Theme: Other

El Rincon Latino: The Latin Corner El Rincon Latino Review

What to buy: El Rincon Latino is a Latin American grocery store on Ricmond's East End. It sells all manner of Latino groceries including spices, condiments, fruits, and soft drinks imported from as far away as Brazil. They also have a small selection of music, t-shirts, and books. There is a small restaurant in the rear of the store.

Address: 5158 Nine Mile Road, Richmond, VA 23223

Phone: (804) 328-2739

Theme: Food and Drink

Braves Merchandise: A Braves new world Braves Merchandise Review

The Braves Merchandise shop is a medium-sized kiosk located strategically on the main concourse of The Diamond as you go up the steps from the ticket booth.

What to buy: You can find all kinds of apparel including caps, t-shirts, and jerseys, publications, ticket plans, and various other things like baseballs, bats, and keychains.

What to pay: Given that the Richmond Braves have exclusive rights to the logo, expect to pay an arm and a leg.

Address: 3001 North Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23230

Phone: (804) 359-4444

Theme: Other