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Jamie Schankweiler in her Carytown shop Photo by Ash Daniel
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The Byrd Theatre Foundation wants to raise $5 million to retire debt on the building and complete its restoration. Photo by Justin Vaughan
This Little Piggy
When former Air Force Senior Airman Jamie Schankweiler decided she wanted to share her artistic gift of refurbishing furniture with the world, she didn't waste a single moment. From concept to storefront in two months, Jamie and her husband Alan have created an inventory that would give any do-it-yourself expert a run for their money. Within The Stolen Pig's 2,700-square-foot space, shoppers will find themselves surrounded by an eclectic blend of up-cycled furniture, quirky retail, consignment and local vendor art. "This store is a hybrid," Jamie says. "I like to come to work every day and be surrounded by beautiful things." Among those beautiful things sit dozens of winged porcelain pig ornaments waiting to be purchased by curious patrons. Inspired by a game played between Jamie and her mother wherein they would take turns attempting to steal a porcelain pig they shared, the Schankweilers decided to pass on the "stolen pig" to their customers. Since opening on June 29, Jamie continues to win over customers with a simple business plan. "We want everything to be attainable for everyone who walks in," she says of the home décor items that range from $2 to $700. "I don't want people to feel bad when they leave because things are too expensive." Bad vibes are nowhere to be found at the 3463 W. Cary St. property. "I love all my customers," Jamie says. "It's like we're friends when they leave." For more information, call 353-1170 or visit thestolenpig.com — Lauren Moss
Revival Theatre
At $2 a ticket, the Byrd Theatre is always one of the hottest film venues in Richmond, but patrons may have noticed things are a bit warmer than normal of late in the 77-year-old movie palace. That's because the air conditioning system — just a few decades younger than the building — is kaput. "We have to play the cards we're dealt, I guess," says Melissa Savenko, vice president of the Byrd Theatre Foundation. The organization is in the midst of a major fundraising campaign that Savenko says will just about wrap up the major infastructure needs for the building that has become a city institution. The fundraiser, which has included crowd-funding through the website Indiegogo.com and a fall fashion show in September, seeks to raise $100,000 for the cooling system. But that's hardly where the foundation wants to stop. The objective is to ensure a long life for the beloved theater. "Our ultimate goal is to raise $5 million so we can retire the debt on the building and complete a full-scale restoration," Savenko says. Kicking off this latest campaign is the first big step on a long road Savenko and her fellow Byrd Foundation members hope will get Richmonders excited about contributing more than an occasional $2 to watch a flick. "What's unique about the Byrd is that it's almost exactly the same as it was when the doors opened in 1928," she says. "People see butts in seats and assume everything's fine." For more information, visit byrdtheatrefoundation.org .—Chris Dovi
Wax Candy
Think getting a Brazilian wax is painful? Try getting an appointment at Glow Med Spa, one of the most popular salons in Richmond. But with the early-October opening of the new Waxing Station by Glow Med Spa, located under Look Salon at 3202 W. Cary St., the pain is all but gone, says Shia Noth, owner of the four-year-old fast-expanding local spa chain. "It makes getting your Brazilian wax a little bit sweeter," she says, adding that the Waxing Station's primary purpose is to streamline the company's operations for the benefit of its customers. "The Med Spas were booked months out because we're known for doing the most painless wax in Richmond," Noth says of the spa that was awarded "Best Day Spa" in 2012 and "Best Unisex Spa" in 2013 by the readers of Richmond magazine. The problem with the service's popularity is that customers seeking other services — as well as those seeking waxing services — were in stiff competition for time. "At the Waxing Station, we'll not be offering any of the skin care, massages, laser [or] Botox," Noth says. And while waxing will still be available at all Glow Med Spa locations, it'll be a bit less difficult to get into the appointment book. Like its sister locations, the Carytown spa will offer plenty to look at as you're tended to. Where the current locations in Short Pump and the North Side — along with a third planned location at an undetermined location — have earth, fire and water as their interior-design themes, the Waxing Station is "based [on] the design of Dylan's Candy Bar in New York," Noth says. A candy store operated by designer Ralph Lauren's daughter, Dylan's is an experience as much as it is a treat. That's what Noth wants for the Waxing Station: "When you walk in, it looks like you walked into a candy shop," she says. For more information, call 262-0330 or visit glowmedspa.net . —CD
Touring Trendsetters
It was only natural that North Carolina-based clothing franchise Traveling Chic Boutique would make its way to Richmond, a city full of women eager to dress themselves in the most fashion-forward civvies. Style-savvy sisters Marion and Annie Cosby have curated a vibrant shop for women looking to enhance their wardrobe on a budget. "We have cute clothes that don't break the bank," Marion says of the fashions that range from $40 to $70. Their 1,400-square-foot boutique at 3143 W. Cary St. opened on August 15. "We really got lucky with this space," Marion says of the shop that is between Murphies and Ginger Thai Taste Restaurant. Before opening their brick-and-mortar location, the Cosby sisters operated a boutique on wheels, bringing their clothes to local fashionistas one trunk show at a time. Loyal trunk-show shoppers have followed the sisters to their Carytown storefront in hopes of getting their hands on exclusive fashion finds. "We carry things once and won't ever carry that item again," says Cosby. The store also encourages donating to local charities, which allows for customers to do more than simply purchase a garment. "At the checkout counter we give our shoppers the choice of taking a re-useable shopping bag or donating the cost of the bag to a local charity of their choice," Marion says. Meals on Wheels, Massey Cancer Center and Virginia Treatment Center for Children are just a few of the charities that patrons can support when shopping at Traveling Chic Boutique. The Cosby sisters also plan to hold after-hours shopping events once a month, where 15 percent of proceeds will go to support a charity organization. For more information, call 837-4027 or visit travelingchicboutique.com . —LM
Full Speed Ahead
Perhaps best explained as a mash-up of angel investor, collaborative workspace and strategic-marketing firm, 80Amps is a bit like a day spa for new business ideas that could be the next big thing but that lack big bucks. "We do everything from creative execution strategy to consumer insight," says Charles Merritt, one of four partners who, with the help of a major capital investment from the Martin Agency, launched 80Amps in May. "In tech startup, if you can think creatively but also measure the results, there's a huge need for that." Merritt knows a bit about startups. A native Richmonder with a film degree from the University of North Carolina, he built an impressive career rap sheet that included work at successful tech startups and in data analysis for a private equity firm. He returned home in 2011 to attend the Virginia Commonwealth University Brandcenter, where he eventually had the inspiration for 80Amps. "We actually saw a broader need beyond just Richmond … to help early-stage entrepreneurs go from the prototype to something ready to go to the marketplace," Merritt says, using as an example Coffitivity, the first 80Amps startup project. Originally a cool, but costless, idea for increasing worker productivity by piping the ambient noises of coffee shops to office cubicles, the concept was monetized by 80Amps into a sellable phone and desktop app. "Increasingly, what's differentiating successful companies from less successful companies is a branding story," Merritt says, explaining the 80Amps advantage. "Branding has come a long way — tech is just now at the forefront of what a strong brand can do to drive the success of a company." For more information, call 512-7654 or visit 80amps.com . —CD
