School’s out for summer, but don’t worry, parents: Carytown has you covered when it comes to entertaining not just the little ones, but teens and adults, too. Here are a few must-see stops for food, shopping and entertainment.
The Byrd Theatre (photo by Jay Paul).
The Byrd Theatre
(2908 W. Cary St., 353-9911)
Nancy Leslie brought her daughter Eliza, 6, and her daughter’s best friend Journey Woodward, 7, to see “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” for their first time. The screening was part of The Byrd Theatre’s new Saturday Family Classics series, which began in late May. Catch a different family movie every Saturday at 10 a.m. for $1.99. Each screening is preceded by a performance by Bob Gulledge on the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ, and a screening of classic Warner Bros. cartoons. “Yankee Doodle Dandy” will be shown on July 2. Visit byrdtheatre.com for a schedule.
World of Mirth (photo by Chenla Ou)
World of Mirth
(3005 W. Cary St., 353-8991)
Playing dress-up takes on a new level at World of Mirth as three young toy lovers don animal masks to evoke their primal instincts. The quirky shop lives up to its slogan “Toys for kids of all ages,” as it carries items that brighten the faces of adults as much as it does children. With items including animal kitchen timers, bobbling Dashboard Monk, plush wildlife puppets and the Sparking Mike Robot, it’s hard to leave this store without a smile.
Clover + Franklin Goose (photo by Chenla Ou).
Clover + Franklin Goose
(3024 W. Cary St., 355-3517)
Shelton Diaz and Brooke Diebel scour Clover’s racks for on-trend finds. It’s easy to score at this children’s consignment boutique, as it carries top brands at a fraction of the retail cost. After its acquisition of the popular Franklin Goose toy and apparel store earlier this year, Clover is in a transition stage, rebranding to Clover + Franklin Goose. Cloth diapers, nursing products and teething items have been added to the inventory. An added bonus is the play area and movies to keep young ones occupied while moms and dads shop.
BBGB Books (photo by Ash Daniel).
BBGB Books
(3003 W. Cary St., 353-5675)
At 11 a.m. on Wednesdays at bbgb, Maya White-Lurie shares children’s stories that open the imaginations of kids through the power of literature. There’s craft-time, too. Open for almost six years, bbgb celebrates two years in Carytown this month. The store, which carries books for all ages, also hosts author meet-and-greets and other special events throughout the year, so check out the Facebook page or bbgbbooks.com to stay up-to-date.
Cartwheels & Coffee (photo by Ash Daniel)
Cartwheels & Coffee
(2820 W. Cary St., 355-5437)
Barista Makayla Donigan is spending her summer break from the College of William & Mary brewing up coffee and lattes. Half coffee shop, half playground, this store is designed so that children ages 6 and younger can enjoy an enclosed play area while the adults mingle and relax in the café. Events are held weekdays at 10 a.m., including Itsy Bitsy Artists on Mondays, Move with Me on Wednesdays and Storytime on Fridays. See cartwheelsandcoffee.com
for more information.
Bev's Homemade Ice Cream (photo by Jay Paul).
Bev’s Homemade Ice Cream
(2911 W. Cary St., 204-2387)
Kayla Labonte (left) and April Lynch love to stop by Bev’s monthly (sometimes twice monthly) for their favorite flavors: Espresso Oreo and Black Raspberry. A Richmond destination for homemade ice cream, there are flavors available year-round along with seasonal and daily specials, from Strawberry Yogurt to Sweet Corn. Don’t be surprised to see 77-year-old Bev herself behind the counter, spooning out samples of her latest creations.
The Daily Kitchen & Bar (photo by Jay Paul).
The Daily Kitchen & Bar
(2934 W. Cary St., 342-8890)
Kendall, 10, (left) and Kensington, 13, enjoy a Saturday brunch at The Daily with their mother, Kendra Jones, and brother Sean, 6. Known for its locally sourced organic ingredients and healthy fare, the restaurant goes well beyond the expected kids’ menu selections of chicken tenders and mac ‘n’ cheese. Options such as a black bean quesadilla, ham and Swiss omelet, and edamame allow younger diners to expand their palate. And yes, grilled cheese, pizza and an all-natural cheeseburger are also on the menu.
