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BizSense Beat: January 24, 2025

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BizSense Beat is a weekly collaboration between VPM News and Richmond BizSense that brings you the top business stories during NPR's Morning Edition on Fridays.

Here’s a recap of of the week of January 24, 2025:

The redevelopment of the Greyhound station on Arthur Ashe Boulevard is soon to be underway
Reported by BizSense’s Mike Platania

Permits to demolish the 40-year-old bus station were filed last week by Allen Investment Partners, a developer based both in New York and California.

Initial plans filed in 2023 envision a mixed-used development with over 600 housing units and multiple commercial units in late 2023. The developer is looking to start the first phase of construction with a 387-unit mixed-use building this

As for the bus station, Greyhound and Richmond council entered into an agreement to move the bus line to the Plaza at Main Street Station across Main Street from the train shed.

Greyhound’s agreement with the city runs through 2029 and includes multiple options to renew the deal.

Well-known restaurateur Alexa Schuett is preparing to open up Chimbo Sandwich Shoppe in Church Hill
Reported by BizSense's Mike Platania

Schuett is taking over the former 8 1/2 storefront on East Marshall Street. The Italian take-out space closed late last year after around seven years in the neighborhood.

Schuett, who owns Liberty Public House restaurant and Riverbend Roastery coffee shop, will co-own the new spot with Liberty Public House kitchen manager Austin Curtis.

Chimbo was largely inspired by the gap left behind by Black Sheep, according to Schuett. The restaurant served large sandwiches in the Carver neighborhood from 2008 until its closure in 2017.

Schuett said Chimbo will have weekly specials alongside soups and sides. The restaurant will primarily operate as a to-go spot and be open for both lunch and dinner opening in late February or March.

A new hangout for coffee and cat lovers is opening up in the Fan later this year
Reported by BizSenses’ Jackie DiBartolomeo

The Purrfect Bean, a cat cafe, is set to open in April in the former Westray’s Finest Ice Cream shop on N. Lombardy Street

Coffee and tea enthusiasts will be able to dine along with getting play time with adoptable cats from a local Richmond animal shelter, which has not yet been announced.

The café space will be on the first floor of the brick-and-mortar,, while the cats will be upstairs in a free roaming area for customers to come play with and potentially take home.

Owner Michelle Langham, combining her interest of fostering animals and retail into this new project.

Langham is looking to source all local goods from the likes of Afterglow Coffee Cooperative and other local coffee and tea vendors, Though she’s still working on the café’s all-vegan menu before opening this Spring.

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