In 2004 Richmond’s historic Shockoe Bottom was devastated by Hurricane Gaston. Drainage systems malfunctioned and overflowed, and floodwater ran freely through the streets causing extensive damage to businesses. Four years later, the area is showing a few signs of recovery, but the vacancy rate hovers above 20%. Turnover in restaurants and bars is high.
Alec Depcrynski
Sell some peanuts and Cracker Jack
Editor’s Note: Every once in a while we like to lighten things up and look at the subplots, and the underpinnings of the working world. In this piece, reporter Alec Depcrynksi tags along with a vendor at a Richmond Braves game. We start at the Flamingo Joe’s base camp, the snow cone stand near the… Read more »
Kaine Expands Telework Policy
Now bloggers and stay-at-home moms aren’t the only ones who can work in their pajamas. Virginia’s existing Kaine Expands Telework Policy has just been expanded to include about 120 employees who work for Governor Timothy Kaine’s Office and Cabinet.
VCU study: Mergers and acquisitions disrupt management
When companies merge, key top executives are often pushed out, according to a recently published study by a Virginia Commonwealth University business professor. Jeffrey Krug, associate professor of strategic management at the VCU School of Business, and Walt Shill, managing director at Accenture, followed the careers of more than 23,000 executives in more than 1,000… Read more »
A Tale of Two Broad Streets
The farther east you walk down Broad Street and away from VCU, the more beat up and empty it gets. There are “For Sale” signs, “For Lease” signs, and signs simply marked “Closed.” Some buildings are boarded up with plywood, others with construction paper and tape. And that’s a significant improvement from even a few… Read more »
Slinging Bling: Car accessory shops diversify
A young man no more than 14 greets customers at the Williams Plaza and Auto Center on Richmond’s South Side. He sizes up one customer’s car, and by association its driver. So does everyone else at the combination workshop / parking lot. “What do you need?” he asks. But then he finds out the driver… Read more »
Blue Chips: Local business helps coaches keep track of recruits
As owner of Game On Recruiting Systems, Julie Lewis helps college coaches at smaller schools stay organized. Most Americans retire when they are 65 – or at least hope to. Julie Lewis contemplated retirement at 30. Of course that was before Lewis put aside retirement plans in favor of a small business venture aimed at… Read more »
Same Box, Same Price, Less Food
The boxes, cartons and cans at the grocery stores are getting smaller – although you have to look really carefully to notice. As reported by MSNBC, manufacturers have begun “short-sizing” their products. The practice consists of cutting down the amount of stuff they put into their packages in order to keep costs down. In the… Read more »
FBI nabs Virginia movie uploader
A Virginia man is facing 10 years in prison for posting movies online. His website once released the latest Star Wars movie six hours before it hit theaters nationwide. Investigations by the FBI, including the field office in Richmond, VA, have led to the conviction of Daniel Dove, 26, on counts of conspiracy and felony… Read more »
Pay the Toll
Everyone has done it. You’re driving along, minding your own business, trying to figure out that personalized license plate in front of you, and suddenly you realize that you’re about to come to a toll. Without thinking, your arm extends and your hand shoots down into your combination ash tray / coin tray…empty. Scrambling, you… Read more »