Jackson Ward in Richmond a Vital Mix of Old and New Shops

The October 28 New York Times travel section featured an article “Harlem of South” Revived in Richmond, Va, by Julie Besonen, about the comeback of Jackson Ward and restoration of the Hippodrome Theatre in Richmond. Only a mile from the state capitol building, the Jackson Ward area is a hodgepoge of hip boutiques and shops, restaurants, and galleries by day, but not a safe place to be at night. Hopefully that dangerous rep will change with the Hippodrome opening. Jackson Ward is one of the downtown areas to to host First Fridays Art Walk, a once monthly event celebrating Richmond’s art and cultural scene. For a city its size, Richmond has a thriving art and music scene, largely because Virginia Commonweatlh University has a strong School of the Arts. We recently visited a couple of galleries/shops on Broad Street. Quirk, in Midtown Richmond at 311 Main has an impressive array of artistic and practical items, from handcrafted jewelry and scarves to funky sunglasses and nesting dolls, books, and children’s toys. Another interesting place to shop is Turnstyle, defined by its Web site as a store with a mission “to promote the music and lifestyle of the underground dance music movement.” Turnstyle actually sells turnstiles and a limited array of vinyl records, along with streetwear for both men and women. Designers include Manhattan Portage, ESDJCO, and a couple of Virginia-based artists–Virginia Beach’s Restless Bodies and Richmond Tattoo artist Jesse Smith Designs.