Street Paving Update

From Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association:

KEEP AN EYE ON THE SIGNS: WARN YOUR NEIGHBORS: OREGON HILL SCHEDULED STREET CLOSURES

OHNA has not been provided with specific days when the individual streets will be closed so KEEP YOUR EYES OUT FOR SIGNS!

During this period these streets will be closed at various times for milling and paving. PAY ATTENTION to signs indicating particular blocks and streets. If you will be away during this time, find a safe place to park your car, or empower a neighbor to move it for you.

Wednesday, May 7 to Wednesday, June 18 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Riverside Park from South Cherry Street to Dead End
South Cherry Street from Riverside Park to Oregon Hill Parkway
Oregon Hill Parkway from South Cherry Street to 2nd Street
South Laurel Street from Oregon Hill Parkway to Broad Street
South Pine Street from Oregon Hill Parkway to Broad Street
South Cherry Street from South Cathedral Place to Dead End
Holly Street from South Belvidere Street to Dead End
China Street from South Belvidere Street to Cherry Street
Spring Street from Cherry Street to South Belvidere Street
Albermarle Street to Dead End
Idlewood Avenue from South Belvidere Street to South Harrison Street
Grayland Avenue from Idlewood Avenue to South Harrison Street
Cumberland Street from South Belvidere Street to South Harrison Street
South Linden Street from Idlewood Avenue to West Cary Street
Parkwood Avenue from South Harrison Street to South Lindon Street
Cathedral Place from North Laurel Street to North Cathedral Place
South Cathedral Place from North Laurel Street to North Cathedral Place
North Cathedral Place from South Cathedral Place to Cathedral Place

ALSO: Next OHNA monthly meeting: MAY 27, 7PM on ZOOM.

VCU Police Investigating Halloween Fight

From WRIC story:

Investigators learned that, around 11:30 p.m., an altercation took place among a large group of people at the intersection of the 700 block of West Cary Street and South Laurel Street. The group was gathered outside of a restaurant, which its owner later confirmed was Tito’s Taqueria and Bar.

“Our victim had asked a question of another patron in the line for that establishment — [asking] if tickets were needed to enter — and some derogatory words were shared … [then] they started arguing,” said David Kelly, detective sergeant of investigations for VCU Police. “[It] turned into a fight, where two females were fighting.”

Kelly said that one of the females then attacked the victim, followed by a man who jumped in and also attacked her.

According to police, the victim is affiliated with VCU and had significant injuries to her face. Though she was later discharged from the hospital, she continues to go through ongoing medical treatment due to injuries impacting her eye.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the VCU Police Department. Tips can also be submitted to Metro Richmond Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000. You may do so anonymously.

821 Cafe Announces New Hours

From social media post:

We got some exciting changes starting next week at the ol’ cafe! We will now be open 9am to 9pm Tuesday-Sunday. That’s an hour earlier on the weekdays, an hour later on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. and more importantly, we’ll now be staying open until 9 pm on the weekends! So, come see us a little earlier during the week or a lot later on the weekends!

Looking Forward To Tito’s Taqueria and La Fe Cafe

Oregon Hill residents are excited to hear about two ‘sibling’ restaurants opening in the building that used to be Mojo’s at the southeastern corner of W. Cary and S. Laurel.
Richmond Magazine has a nice story that describes past and future plans of the family affair.

Splitting the 6,700-square-foot building into separate ventures, Tito’s Taqueria will occupy the larger side of the space, while La Fe Cafe will take the other. Estefay says her parents are excited for them, and that a solo venture of her own has been a long time coming.

“I dream a lot of the place being busy, so I think it’s going to be good, my dreams have been telling me,” Tito says, noting that he was drawn to the property because of its walkable neighborhood in close proximity to VCU campus and businesses such as the Altria Theater.

Tito says there will be 15-20 different types of tacos on the menu at the taqueria, a combination of traditional varieties, more Americanized versions and vegetarian options. Offerings will also include sopes, “tornado fries” and playful riffs such as birria pizza. He also hopes to make happy hour a fun two- to three-hour period with mariachi or other music and plenty of frozen margaritas on tap.

At La Fe Cafe, Estefay plans to start the day a little earlier than her older brother, focusing on breakfast, lunch and coffee. Drawing influences from her travels and her background, she says, “I decided to do something different, like a breakfast cafe but a little bit international. I’ve been traveling a lot, and I love food … and experiencing different places and different cultures.”

Estefay says her vision for brunch includes elaborate pancakes and waffles — the latter served both solo and in sandwich form — along with chilaquiles, Honduran baleadas and pupusas, which draw on her mother’s Salvadoran roots.

Tech Exchange’s Spring Sale And New Hours

The Tech Exchange, a used electronics/video game shop on W. Cary, posted an announcement on their FaceBook page:

It’s that time of year again, folks! Come down and see us this weekend (Saturday & Sunday) for our 2022 SPRING CLEANING SALE! Everything in the Store will be 20% OFF, and we’ve got some extra sweet stuff in right now. We’ve never had this amount or quality level of inventory in stock!
Also, we are changing our store hours. Starting in May, we will now be open Tuesday – Saturday 11AM – 7PM and Closed on Sundays and Mondays!

End of An Era – Mojo’s Announces Closing Date

Mojo’s staff made this announcement on their Facebook page:

Big announcement time (prepare your tears): after October 11th 2020 we will be no-Mo’-jo’s. Aka: we’re closing on October 11th (that will be the last day we will have service) for an undetermined amount of time. It’s been a wild ride these last twenty (or so?) years, but it’s time to say our goodbyes to 733 west cary street. Come in and see us for the next few weeks that we’ll be open (and seriously, you’re going to be saying goodbye to these cheesesteaks and wings so it’s now or never!) We’ll miss and love you all forever!! #mojos4ever
Big announcement time (prepare your tears): after October 11th 2020 we will be no-Mo’-jo’s. Aka: we’re closing on October 11th (that will be the last day we will have service) for an undetermined amount of time. It’s been a wild ride these last twenty (or so?) years, but it’s time to say our goodbyes

Known for their cheesesteak sandwiches, Mojo’s will certainly be missed as an independent neighborhood business.