A Church Hill "no-buyers" guide

I haven’t really used Facebook as social media for a decade or so, but I still have an account on the platform for two reasons. Professionally, it’s still somewhat useful to sniff out sources; personally, I have a lot of stuff to get rid of, and Charleston (where I used to live) had a very active “buy nothing” group.

For the uninitiated, it’s exactly what it sounds like: a group, often hosted on Facebook, where people offer up clothes, furniture, bike parts, whatever to the community in hopes the things they no longer need find a good home and stay out of our landfills. You get the idea.

As I understand it, Richmond Facebook has a few of these forums, too, though I’ve been too repulsed by the rise of Shrimp Jesus and the rightward pivot of Mark Zuckerberg to seek them out. And I haven’t yet carved out the time to figure out BuyNothing.org, the most popular online alternative. So I was thrilled to learn that one of our neighbors is hosting a real-life version of a buy nothing group this weekend, right here in Church Hill.

“There are so many things that already exist in the world,” Angie Martinez told The Lookout in a recent phone interview, explaining the idea behind her “Yard No Sale” event, which takes place Saturday, February 1st from 12-4pm in Triangle Park (2221 Jefferson Ave.) “Why would you need to go to the store and buy another one when your neighbor has it?” And even better—is willing to give it to you for free.

Martinez, an alumnus of Virginia Commonwealth University’s art program who now lives in the neighborhood, is a fan of Facebook buy nothing groups, but noted that they can be limiting because “you have to prove where you are, like the neighborhood that you're in, so you can't go to everywhere.” (Plus, you need a Facebook account and internet access, which not everybody has, or even wants.) It can also be a bit of a process, which makes it better for one-off, non-urgent transactions. But when her grandmother passed away last year, Martinez got the job of cleaning out her house, and “I left with a whole van full of stuff that I couldn't just go and drop off somewhere.”

She came up with the idea to “manifest physically” a buy nothing group as an offline event. One fell swoop. Yard No Sale.

The inaugural event this past fall, which took place in the same pocket park across the traffic circle from Union Market (where Martinez works) was a big success. “I was anxious that no one would show up, or that too many people would show up, and I would get left with just a bunch of shit that nobody wanted,” she said. Instead, she was heartened to see folks from around the neighborhood pitch in not just their hand-me-downs and old coffeepots, but also their labor, helping her organize the tiny triangular park to make the event a success. “People kind of stayed and hung around with their with their piles, and we set up different tables… it kind of just ran itself.”

This time around, Martinez is looking forward not only to the exchange of products (“I’m passionate about things”) but also the opportunity to commune with her neighbors. “Right now, more than any other time, it's really, really important to to build our communities and be friends with your neighbors and share,” she told The Lookout. To that end, MADrva and RVA Community Fridges will also be on hand to chat about their respective mutual-aid missions and accept monetary donations.

Of course, even though Yard No Sale’s ethos and slogan—”Everything you need already exists”—suggest a relaxed, come-as-you-are affair, there are still some ground rules. Martinez emphasized that this is not just a chance for folks to drop off household garbage, or dirty/dysfunctional items. Treat it like a yard sale or a thrift shop—just know that no money will be changing hands. Oh, and one more thing: nothing dangerous.

“The first time, we didn't really have any rules, but then we realized that kids were going to be there, so maybe having knives wasn't a good idea,” Martinez said, laughing. “Don't bring a block of kitchen knives.”

🍽️ New neighborhood restaurants incoming

Church Hill is the Applebee’s of Richmond in the sense that we’re eatin’ good in the neighborhood, and in literally no other sense. Hell, that analogy barely even makes sense. Let’s not dwell on it, though, because there are developments afoot in the local dining scene.

The ovens hadn’t even gone cold at 8 ½ Church Hill before loyal customers began speculating what might replace the snug storefront on E. Marshall St. it called home for more than seven years. Lo: Richmond Biz Sense reported earlier this week that the folks behind Liberty Public House have taken over the space and aim to open Chimbo Sandwich Shoppe in March.

Meanwhile, that decrepit retail row at the three-way intersection of P St., Oakwood Ave., and Chimborazo Blvd. up in the northerly reaches of Church Hill (or is it just Church Hill North at that point?) has been showing signs of renovation over the past couple months, and now we know why. Also per Richmond Biz Sense, a husband-wife couple, late of Austin, Texas, plan to open Taco Vegana at 1004 Oakwood Ave. late next month or thereabouts. They’ll serve—you guessed it—vegan tacos.

And of course, if you haven’t yet heard the news, a pizza joint called Secret Squares has taken up tenancy in the former Nile space on N. 29th St. They’re currently slinging Detroit-style pies on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday on a limited, preorder-only basis, but sources in the dough know tell The Lookout that dine-in/carry-out service is in the near future. More to come on that soon. In the meantime, at the time of writing, Secret Squares still has a few pies left for preorder for this evening. Get on it!

📜 Possum Poetry

Possum Poetry is original verse written exclusively for The Lookout by Penelope Poubelle, the Lookout’s litter critter-at-large. If you spot roadside trash you’d like her to immortalize in doggerel, email a photo to [email protected]. All submissions anonymous!

🚗 Jefferson Ave. has been humped

Less than two months after East Franklin and Grace Streets got new speed humps and raised crosswalks, Jefferson Ave. got similar treatment. On a jog last night, I clocked this raised, not-yet-striped crosswalk connecting the two curb cuts directly west of Pizza Bones, which should help slow drivers down in that pedestrian-heavy area once normal two-way traffic flow resumes at the completion of the Phase II redesign.

Also in place (but not in this hastily snapped, poorly lit photo): the curb bump-out on the south side of the street, opposite Union Market, which significantly reduces the crossing distance there, like the other 🎶 Jeff Ave. bump-outs 🎶 further east on the artery. Still needed: trees!

📢 Happenings on The Hill

• We be mappin’: MapRVA released a new map this week plotting the location of Flock cameras and mics, based in part on The Lookout’s prior reportage. Expect a feature on MapRVA next week. Check out the map.

• Cutie pies soon come: Pizza Bones is doing a Valentine’s Day package that includes heart-shaped ‘za flowers, and optional wine. Preorders go live next week. Scope out the special.

• Plant trees, please: The Church Hill Association is calling for volunteers to help putting saplings in the ground at Libby Hill Park on Saturday 2/8 from 9am-12pm. Put it on your calendar.

• Cross-river shoutout: Thanks to John Murden of South Richmond News (formerly of the Church Hill People’s News!) for the lovely link to The Lookout’s reporting on ALPRs. They’ve got ‘em over there, too! Read SRN.

• Stick ‘em up: The Lookout’s initial run of custom stickers is going fast! Venmo me one dollar with your address in the comment and I’ll send you two stickers in the mail. Venmo here.

Happenings on The Hill is a digital bulletin board for events, causes, and other items of interest to East Enders that don’t necessarily merit full editorial treatment. Got something for a future edition? Email the relevant details, links, etc. to [email protected] for consideration!

📸 A Very CHill Photo

Want to share your Very CHill Photo from the neighborhood? Email it to [email protected] with your name as you’d like it to appear for publication, and the camera you shot it on.