Here’s a recap of the top stories for the week of June 20, 2025:
Henrico County’s hunt for a new arena developer renews interest in Richmond Coliseum proposals
Reported by BizSense’s Jonathan Spiers
As Henrico seeks a new developer for its stalled $2.3 billion GreenCity mixed-use development, the delay could offer the City of Richmond a chance to revisit plans for its own downtown venue, aka the City Center project.
Court filings between the county and the former arena developer caused another set of delays, but Henrico officials have officially gone back to the drawing board and issued a request-for-interest solicitation to line up a new developer for the commercial portion of the arena-anchored development.
Meanwhile, Richmond’s City Center project remains in limbo, adding to momentum for reconsidering a regional arena downtown.
Multiple developers have expressed interest in renovating the long-shuttered Richmond Coliseum, but no plans have come to fruition at this point.
Long-running Shockoe Slip restaurant Sam Miller’s closes
Reported by BizSense’s Mike Platania
The iconic Shockoe Slip oyster bar and restaurant Sam Miller’s has shut down for good after a 53-year run.
The 6,000‑sq.‑ft. historic space, long a staple of Richmond’s dining scene, is now being marketed for lease by Thalhimer agents Annie O’Connor and Katie Siegel.
Owner Ken Wall, who took over in 2021 after the death of proprietor Tom Leppert, couldn’t be reached for comment, according to BizSense.
Short Pump Town Center is set to welcome the region's first House of Sport location
Reported by BizSense’s Jack Jacobs
Dick’s Sporting Goods is transforming the long-vacant former Nordstrom storefront at Short Pump Town Center into its first Virginia House of Sport.
The concept combines the traditional retail experience with recreational features like batting cages, rock climbing walls, an outdoor field, golf pro shop, bike repair and event spaces.
Renovations will gut the existing space across two levels and build an outdoor playing field in the parking lot. Nordstrom left the two-story, 120,000-sq.-ft. space in 2020. The mall’s owners acquired it for $3.2 million in 2021.
An opening date for the new retail experience hasn’t been announced; it's unclear whether the existing Dick’s location at Short Pump will remain open.
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