Has there been any updates on Richmond getting an Ikea?

I heard Bonefish is going to open a location in the West End. Is this true and if so when? I hate having to go to mildo for it.

What will it take to get a farmers market in Short Pump?

What's the scoop on the reported misuse of city funds for Rodney Monroe to pay for his credits at VCU and University of Phoenix? A news channel claims to have received under the Freedom of Information Act records that clearly indicate Monroe mis-used his tuition reimbursement benefit by paying for 100% of his classes upfront and books and supplies which were not supposed to be reimbursed under city policy.

What is being done about this allegation, and if nothing is being done, why not??

Why is it legal in Richmond or at least widely condoned to drive around blasting music that can be heard for miles away? I live downtown and have to put up with morons driving by my house with their sound systems vibrating the walls of my house. Most cities have noise ordinances that limit automotive sound to 50 feet.

For those interested in recycling, re-using, re-purposing, etc please check out www.backporchei.org or join us on Monday evenings at 6:30pm at GlobeHopper Coffeehouse & Lounge for discussions on these and other socially important topics.

only a person kindly referred to as "simple" drives 60 miles for bread

Is there a website anywhere listing stores and restaurants in the downtown area? Since the area doesn't get the foot traffic it needs yet, it seems like a centralized listing of things to do might get people to the area and help these new businesses survive long enough to revitalize the space.

Scotts Addition Fan: Check out the Movieland site. There is a large sign hanging on the southern end of the building presently being gutted advising that Movieland cinemas will early '09. Lots of work is going on at the site.

I am excited to hear about the opening date for Whole Foods. Now I don't have to drive up to Charlottesville for their tasty ciabatta. Looking forward to know when Trader Joe opens too.

To Emily: It might be a while before fancy stores open downtown, but with the opening of The National; The new Fed Court House; Miller & Rhoads Residences; joint UR/VCU Law and Medical classrooms/offices at 7th and Broad; the beginning of work to convert the John Marshall Hotel to apartments, plus the Fall '09 opening of Richmond Center Stage, there is considerable interest from retailers and restauranteurs to enter the downtown market. Already two major restaurant operators are negotiating for space in the Grace Street corridor. Also, owners of the vacant shops on Grace between 5th and 6th are waiting in the wings to see how more adventurous businesses fare. Things will happen sooner than later.

Any updates on new tenants coming to Stony Point? The North side of the mall is hurting, and nothing has replaced the Rio Grande restaurant. It seems like that mall should be able to attract at least another restaurant with how well the others are doing. Any new tenants coming to Chesterfield Towne Center other than the ones listed on their website? The redevelopment going on there is great - I hope it continues and fills the empty Dillards anchor spots.

When is Richmond getting a male H&M store? If Norfolk/Va Beach can support two stores, we should be able to support one. It's not fair that it's only offered for female clothing. Every time I ask, they say one is coming in "a year". But they've been saying that for four years now.

Trader Joe's is opening Sept 26- as reported by the NN store manager

What is the latest on the Movieland upscale movie theatre that was being planned for the Boulevard? Also, we've heard several teams are interested in replacing the Braves (albeit a league or two lower), but no mention of a new stadium. Are there any updates? Both of these revitalization efforts have been too quiet recently, and I fear that the projects may have fallen out of scope.

Would the city of Richmond and surrounding localities ever entertain the idea of requiring bars to recycle? When I think of how many glass bottles just one bar must throw away in a week, and then multiply that by all of the bars in Richmond by all of the weeks in a year, etc., it's pretty upsetting. It would be very easy to set up dedicated cans behind each bar that would allow the bar tenders to easily place all empty bottles (no sorting required and no harder than throwing into the trash). Maybe Richmond can take lessons from the Northeast on this subject.

If Richmond's trying to revitalize downtown, why aren't any of the fancy stores that have contributed to urban sprawl opening up downtown? What better way to clean up the ciy quickly? AND with all those new condos going up downtown, we'll reduce our overall environmental impact because people can walk or ride the bus to go shopping, rather than driving all the way out to Short Pump and burning gas sitting in traffic.