When we get off work, Karen and I go for a walk with the baby and usually the pug too, if it’s not too hot. “Where do you wanna go?” The question is almost a provocation, both of us being wound up tight after a day of work. “I want a beer!” Happy hour anywhere is out of the question, because we’ve got the dog and the baby is in his SUV size stroller. Cary Street Cafe ain’t my scene (dude). In fact, my scene may not exist. Specifically what I want after work is to walk up to a service window and get a plastic container of spicy Velveta nachos and a 16oz draught beer (Yeungling or Stella, please – Karen agrees). We would take turns amusing Jasper, leaning against some picnic tables or sturdy patio furniture, talking to strangers, and showing off our rotund moosh-faced dog.*
Well, I don’t know if that scenario will ever come true for me, but it looks like the new restaurant at Addison and Parkwood is gonna blow our dog and baby walking options wide open. I finally have more details on this new development that is to be called, Lamplighter. You might remember one of the restaurant partners, Jen Rawlings, of the old 17.5 Cafe in Shockoe Bottom. She is itching to get into her new digs behind the fire-station and start cranking out food along the lines of cafes like 821 and Ipanema. Outdoor seating is a big part of the plan, since Jen is hoping to be open by the end of July. She probably told me more of her ideas, but once she said outdoor seating, I started fantasizing about that cold beer from the service window.
But I’m not getting my hopes up, since the ABC license is always a tough bureaucratic hurdle, especially in an outdoor setting. But I predict my neighborhood will mobilize a stroller-gang of hard drinking, sippy-cup wielding, surly parents and fussy babies to beat a path across the Addison Street footbridge and adopt this new joint, Lamplighter, as our primary hangout. I hope no rival posse has already laid claim to the turf, cuz my one-year old is ready for war! (and bubbles and milk and…).
My last post on this topic highlighted the off the beaten path environment between Cary and the Interstate. The footbridge from Byrd Park to the Fan (and vice versa) serves me well, but to most it’s unknown or avoided. I believe the City needs to take beautification action to help direct people toward the bridge and overhaul the bridge’s facade to make it more inviting (signage? trash cans? hello?) My emails to various city departments were met with the usual buck-passing and suggestions that community groups ought to take responsibility. I don’t know about that, but my hopes have been buoyed, nonetheless.
Initially, I thought improving the perception of the neighborhood and footbridge would be the only way to ensure the success of the new restaurant. Then, I heard it was Jen Rawlings who’d be the “Lamplighter” showing up to work at Parkwood and Addision, day in and day out. Her creativity, perseverance, and (hopefully) coffee bean roasting will put that intersection on the map for a lot of Richmonders. Heck, if she can bring a Shockoe Bottom coffee shop back to life after the flood of Gaston, a little blight is child play. And, as some commenters on the last post noted, community and customers can, and probably will, come together to make a difference in a neighborhood, a footbridge, and a fledgling restaurant.
*They best have a cookie-jar of dog treats (a la Video Fan) for our chubby pug.
