Children’s Museum is growing up

The Children’s Museum of Richmond is expanding. On Monday the museum unveiled a rendering of its new outpost at Short Pump, which is scheduled to open in June. The organization leased 15,500 square feet of space at 2200 Old Brick Road in West Broad Village, across from Whole Foods Market. The space had been built out for Books-A-Million, which reversed its decision to open a store in the new mixed-use development last year. Karen Coltrane, CEO at the museum, was on site Monday along with other staff and said the she looked at locations all over the region.

Short Pump bakery aims for the small screen

Another local business is jumping on the reality TV bandwagon. A Short Pump cupcakery is in the running to be cast in a national television show on the Food Network, competing against other cupcake bakeries across America in a show called “Cupcake Wars.”The owners of Frostings, in the Short Pump Station shopping center near Trader Joe’s, say they’re up for the challenge, should they be chosen.

Wine bar closed, up for sale

Last week we reported the closing of two local establishments around Short Pump. A third eatery has joined the list. Verde Fresh Food To Go in the Summit of West Broad shopping center near Innsbrook has been shuttered and is up for sale. The owners are looking for someone to take over their $4,025 a month lease with landlord Dumbarton Properties, based in Richmond. A Craigslist posting lists an asking price of $42,000 for the fully-equipped facility and furnished interior. Verde opened in early 2009. This story originally appeared on DowntownShortPump.com, an RBS news partner.

Two Short Pump eateries close

Two local establishments, one a restaurant and the other a pastry shop and cafe, have closed their doors. A Slice of Grapevine near Regal Cinemas and Daffodil Desserts & More near the new Hilton Hotel & Spa have both ceased operations. Daffodil Desserts & More, located in the Towne Center West shopping center, has been shuttered. A sign on the door says the landlord, The Breeden Company of Virginia Beach, has seized possession of the property, presumably due to non-payment. The pastry shop and cafe struggled to keep a customer base from the beginning. A Slice of Grapevine, right next to the theater in the Downtown Short Pump shopping center, did a booming business as a primarily takeout and walk-up ordering establishment, with patrons grabbing a quick bite to eat before or after seeing a movie. When the establishment transitioned towards a more sit-down type restaurant, ...

Three new S. Pump stores all open this week

Three new retailers are opening or have opened this week in the Short Pump area. Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), hhgregg and Jake and Friends are all new on the Far West End retail scene.

Electronics retailer opens in former Short Pump Circuit City

Indianapolis-based hhgregg opened their new Short Pump Town Center store last Thursday in the building that formerly housed Circuit City. The store is currently in a soft opening phase, with grand opening to take on Thursday. The store looks very different from its former days. The entire warehouse-style building was gutted, re-floored and a drop ceiling was added to the entire length of the back wall. On one side you’ll find your typical consumer electronics offerings and on the other you’ll see an array of different appliances, from washers and dryers to refrigerators and small kitchen electrics.

A slew of new shops in Short Pump

A handful of new retailers have recently opened their doors around the Short Pump area. HomeGoods opened Sunday morning at West Broad Village. The highly-anticipated discount home accessories retailer was packed with eager shoppers through the afternoon.

Teavana, a highly-specialized retailer carrying over 100 kinds of teas from around the world, including India, Nepal and Japan, has opened on the lower level of Short Pump Town Center, near Firebird’s. The store also carries a variety of teapots and other related products.

Crazy 8, a new concept from children’s retailer Gymboree, has also recently opened in the mall, offering discount children’s clothing and accessories.

A third new tenant at Short Pump Town Center is Fast-Fix Jewelry & Watch Repairs, offering watch and jewelry repair, cleaning and battery replacement, plus key duplication and other services.

Electronics retailer hhgregg will be ...

Max & Erma’s waiting for John Rolfe Pkwy

Yesterday BizSense reported the Max & Erma’s restaurant chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Downtown Short Pump, a BizSense news partner, reported today that the Short Pump franchise in the John Rolfe Commons shopping center is closed.

A sign on the door reads that the location will reopen once John Rolfe Parkway is cut through. The delayed road project has hurt businesses in the shopping center, many of whom came in with the understanding that the major thoroughfare would be completed soon thereafter.

One local business, Cavanna Pasta, was profiled last year in Richmond BizSense. At the time, owner Jonny Cavanna said the store would have to close by year’s end. Cavanna is still hanging on, partly due to a boost in sales from their bi-weekly booth at the nearby West End Farmers Market at Gayton and ...

With new businesses, The Shoppes At Westgate fully leased

While many Short Pump shopping centers have lost tenants due to the recession and many businesses have closed their doors, one center is completely leased out. Thalhimer Commercial Real Estate leasing representative Jim Ashby says The Shoppes At Westgate at Broad and Lauderdale is welcoming a host of new tenants.

Two Short Pump businesses close

Two Short Pump businesses have shuttered their doors in the past week. Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina,  on Nuckols Road in Twin Hickory Town Center, closed last week. No reason was given for the closure, but the location never seemed to attract the crowd that nearby Nonna’s Pizzeria or Tropical Smoothie Cafe does. This was the only location in Richmond.

Dream Dinners, across from Short Pump Town Center in the Promenade Shops, closed their doors this past week as well. The store allowed groups to come in and prepare dinner entrees to freeze and serve to their families later. A location on Southside near Woodlake remains open. The Short Pump location will remain only as a pickup service inside the neighboring Daily Grind Coffeehouse & Cafe.

This story orginally appeared at DowntownShortPump.com, an RBS news partner.

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