Category Archives: W. Cary Street

VCU Police Investigating Halloween Fight

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From WRIC story:

Investigators learned that, around 11:30 p.m., an altercation took place among a large group of people at the intersection of the 700 block of West Cary Street and South Laurel Street. The group was gathered outside of a restaurant, which its owner later confirmed was Tito’s Taqueria and Bar.
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“Our victim had asked a question of another patron in the line for that establishment — [asking] if tickets were needed to enter — and some derogatory words were shared … [then] they started arguing,” said David Kelly, detective sergeant of investigations for VCU Police. “[It] turned into a fight, where two females were fighting.”

Kelly said that one of the females then attacked the victim, followed by a man who jumped in and also attacked her.

According to police, the victim is affiliated with VCU and had significant injuries to her face. Though she was later discharged from the hospital, she continues to go through ongoing medical treatment due to injuries impacting her eye.
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Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the VCU Police Department. Tips can also be submitted to Metro Richmond Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000. You may do so anonymously.

821 Cafe Announces New Hours

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From social media post:

We got some exciting changes starting next week at the ol’ cafe! We will now be open 9am to 9pm Tuesday-Sunday. That’s an hour earlier on the weekdays, an hour later on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. and more importantly, we’ll now be staying open until 9 pm on the weekends! So, come see us a little earlier during the week or a lot later on the weekends!

Looking Forward To Tito’s Taqueria and La Fe Cafe

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Oregon Hill residents are excited to hear about two ‘sibling’ restaurants opening in the building that used to be Mojo’s at the southeastern corner of W. Cary and S. Laurel.
Richmond Magazine has a nice story that describes past and future plans of the family affair.

Splitting the 6,700-square-foot building into separate ventures, Tito’s Taqueria will occupy the larger side of the space, while La Fe Cafe will take the other. Estefay says her parents are excited for them, and that a solo venture of her own has been a long time coming.
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“I dream a lot of the place being busy, so I think it’s going to be good, my dreams have been telling me,” Tito says, noting that he was drawn to the property because of its walkable neighborhood in close proximity to VCU campus and businesses such as the Altria Theater.

Tito says there will be 15-20 different types of tacos on the menu at the taqueria, a combination of traditional varieties, more Americanized versions and vegetarian options. Offerings will also include sopes, “tornado fries” and playful riffs such as birria pizza. He also hopes to make happy hour a fun two- to three-hour period with mariachi or other music and plenty of frozen margaritas on tap.

At La Fe Cafe, Estefay plans to start the day a little earlier than her older brother, focusing on breakfast, lunch and coffee. Drawing influences from her travels and her background, she says, “I decided to do something different, like a breakfast cafe but a little bit international. I’ve been traveling a lot, and I love food … and experiencing different places and different cultures.”

Estefay says her vision for brunch includes elaborate pancakes and waffles — the latter served both solo and in sandwich form — along with chilaquiles, Honduran baleadas and pupusas, which draw on her mother’s Salvadoran roots.

Tech Exchange’s Spring Sale And New Hours

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The Tech Exchange, a used electronics/video game shop on W. Cary, posted an announcement on their FaceBook page:

It’s that time of year again, folks! Come down and see us this weekend (Saturday & Sunday) for our 2022 SPRING CLEANING SALE! Everything in the Store will be 20% OFF, and we’ve got some extra sweet stuff in right now. We’ve never had this amount or quality level of inventory in stock!
Also, we are changing our store hours. Starting in May, we will now be open Tuesday – Saturday 11AM – 7PM and Closed on Sundays and Mondays!

End of An Era – Mojo’s Announces Closing Date

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Mojo’s staff made this announcement on their Facebook page:

Big announcement time (prepare your tears): after October 11th 2020 we will be no-Mo’-jo’s. Aka: we’re closing on October 11th (that will be the last day we will have service) for an undetermined amount of time. It’s been a wild ride these last twenty (or so?) years, but it’s time to say our goodbyes to 733 west cary street. Come in and see us for the next few weeks that we’ll be open (and seriously, you’re going to be saying goodbye to these cheesesteaks and wings so it’s now or never!) We’ll miss and love you all forever!! #mojos4ever
Big announcement time (prepare your tears): after October 11th 2020 we will be no-Mo’-jo’s. Aka: we’re closing on October 11th (that will be the last day we will have service) for an undetermined amount of time. It’s been a wild ride these last twenty (or so?) years, but it’s time to say our goodbyes

Known for their cheesesteak sandwiches, Mojo’s will certainly be missed as an independent neighborhood business.

Morning Photos

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Morning sun coming through the trees on S. Laurel.

Skyline at Spring and S. Laurel

Spring Street squirrel

The 821 Cafe on W. Cary Street is closed on Mondays.

Tech Exchange is closed on Mondays also. If the country ever does go to a smaller work week like some have suggested- will Mondays become a non-working day?

Hives seem to be doing ok.

City Planners Scheme A Last Minute End Run Around Citizens

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This afternoon, at 4:22 pm, Matthew J. Ebinger, PDR, with the City sent out an email announcing last minute changes to the agenda for the Planning Commission’s Monday meeting:

“Good Afternoon:
The agenda has been updated to reflect several continuances.”

If anyone looks, the July 20 agenda for the planning commission now includes revisions to the City’s B-3 zoning that would change the height limit to 7 stories and dwelling units of any kind!

Oregon Hill’s entire Cary Street Corridor from Cherry to Belvidere then back to Cumberland will be affected. This means developers can put up dedicated student apartment buildings up to seven stories on this corridor with no first floor business provision. It also makes a parking deck a principle use.

The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association has been trying to stop this sort of thoughtless development for over a decade. It’s been thwarted by treachery again and again.

It is outrageous that the City Planning department pulls this sort of shameful trickery last minute in the middle of a pandemic.

This is a perfect example why Richmond residents have ZERO reason to trust our City government. This sort of deceptive behavior would not be allowed in another locality.