It’s a good time to revisit Carytown, the vibrant stretch of West Cary Street in Richmond, because there’s a slew of new places that are breathing fresh life into the neighborhood. Think elevated cocktails where once there was vacancy, wine & dessert lounges for lingering, and specialty shops you didn’t know you needed. These aren’t just the same cafés or boutiques with new paint—they’re distinct concepts adding flavor and experience to the Mile of Style.
First up: the new Mink Cocktail Lounge. Set at 3322 W Cary St (Suite B), this second-floor spot is taking over the long-vacant space above Bangles & Beads that once housed Xtra’s Café until 2019. The owner describes it as “adult, classy, upscale” with dark moody lighting, cocktails front and center, and small plates on the side. Richmond BizSense+1
Then there’s Nouveau Provisions at 3423 W Cary St — a wine-and-dessert (and pizza) lounge with an outdoor patio, wood-fired pies, and serious wine flights. Nouveau Provisions+1 It’s the kind of place you come to linger after five, share plates, talk, maybe sample a wine you’ve never heard of, and feel like you’re discovering something new in Carytown.
Not to be outdone: Ripple Ray’s (3123 W Cary St) brings a pop of counter-culture to the mix — Grateful Dead-themed décor, live music, a bright stage backdrop and a dive-bar vibe with community at its heart. richmondmagazine.com+1 It’s the kind of place locals may frequent, but for a visitor it feels like a hidden gem.
And for a non-food/drink pick, the Richmond Olive Oil Co. (opened July 2024) is doing something niche: curated, lab-tested olive oils from around the world, all tucked into a standalone shop in Carytown. Axios It speaks to the evolving retail scene here — not just another clothing store, but a boutique of taste and discovery.
For tourists and first-time visitors, these openings matter. They offer new reasons to come to Carytown beyond the “old favorites” — things you won’t necessarily see in every city. Whether you’re drawn by inventive cocktails, wine flights with artisanal pizza, themed live-music bars or boutique specialty retail, these new spots add layers to Carytown’s personality. Plus, getting in early before word spreads means you may have the advantage of discovering the “next big thing” before it hits the main maps.
So next time you plan a Carytown visit, don’t just hit the usual stops—make space for one (or more) of these new openings. One drink at Mink, one wine flight at Nouveau, a quirky night at Ripple Ray’s, or a thoughtful gift from Richmond Olive Oil Co.—each adds a fresh page to your Carytown story. Would you like me to pull together a map and clickable list of these new spots (with addresses, open dates, and planned events) for your readers?
