Richmond's Economic Development Commission (EDC) is bringing back "Taste of Richmond" with a fresh outlook. In this podcast, we interviewed Diana Wear, chair of the EDC, on how the event is changing to better meet the needs of Richmond’s diverse food and beverage entrepreneurs and small business owners.
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A Bit of History
Taste of Richmond was founded by Janet Johnson, Sarah Wally, and Brandon Evans and was originally held at the historic Riggers Loft on Canal Blvd. This year, attendees can expect a completely new format with exciting benefits.
Introducing Richmond Restaurant Week
First, Taste of Richmond is no longer a one-day occasion. It will be replaced by a full week celebration on October 7-13 that will take place in all six districts of Richmond. Locations will be announced starting September 16th.
These special get-togethers will feature complimentary bites, celebratory drinks, and discounts on exclusive menu items. Richmonders will also have a chance to get to know their local EDC representatives and council members.
"We're trying to look at each district. We have six districts in Richmond, so we're going to highlight a restaurant in each of those districts," said Wear.
Giving Back to Richmond's Small Businesses
To further enhance equity, the EDC will provide financial support to vendors through the American Rescue Plan Act. "We applied for some funds, and we have some sponsors. So we have about $20,000 that we're going to pour into the restaurants this year so that nobody loses money from this event. And then we are going to feature some restaurants that have never been lifted up, or didn't find their way into the event..." added Wear.
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Why the changes?
Ultimately, the EDC hopes that Taste of Richmond will reinvigorate an industry still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Labor shortages, unaffordable rents, and the rising cost of living are among many factors that have shuttered our favorite places to eat out. Habits and social norms are also changing — with diners increasingly opting for takeout or delivery.
To improve accessibility, the Taste of Richmond was moved to the Richmond Civic Center last year. This simple change greatly improved attendance and engagement. However, the EDC realized that more needed to be done to make the event sustainable over the long term.
Many of the challenges are organizational. In recent years, attendees have complained about portion sizes and pricing. Additionally, participating vendors did not find the event profitable and lacked measurable data on attendance.
This year’s planning process was particularly challenging. The EDC lost its original fiscal sponsor, Richmond Main Street, due to the sudden departure of its executive director. In response to the abrupt shift in leadership, the commission contracted with two consultants to carry out the event.
What’s Next for Taste of Richmond
Wear hopes that Taste of Richmond will become a lasting platform to support Richmond's vibrant culinary scene. “People are coming from a lot of different places to our restaurants, but we're still small in number, we have to raise the profile.”
The EDC plans to help restaurants leverage data on customer traffic and business leads from the event, for example. It is also working to help businesses raise their local profile through an interactive website and a Richmond Restaurant Guide.
We encourage you to stay up to date with the latest developments on the Taste of Richmond. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and social media updates!