A blog designed to further enhance the image and profitability of our Retail Merchants Association Member businesses. Members can contribute news by emailing membernews@retailmerchants.com.

Upcoming Virginia Sales Tax Holidays

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Next week sparks the beginning of one of three Virginia sales tax holidays. These holidays are a temporary period when certain items purchased are excluded from Virginia sales and use taxes. In general, Virginia holds most purchases subject to both Virginia state and local sales and use taxes at a rate of 5%.

Legislation, which was enacted by the 2007 Session of the Virginia General Assembly, enabled Virginia to have three annual sales tax holidays:

May 25-31, 2012: Hurricane and Emergency Preparedness Equipment
This holiday, beginning next week, is allotted seven-days where specified items purchased as hurricane preparedness equipment are exempt from the Virginia sales tax. For more information, visit Hurricane Preparedness Equipment Holiday.

August 3-5, 2012: School Supplies and Clothing
This three-day period allows consumers to purchase particular school supplies, clothing, and footwear without having to pay the Virginia sales tax. For details, visit School Supplies and Clothing Holiday.

October 7-10, 2011: Energy Star and WaterSense Qualified Products
This tax holiday falls over four days and allows the purchases of products meeting the Energy Star and WaterSense qualifications, such as certain energy-efficient appliances, to be exempt from the Virginia sales tax. Find out more information here: Energy Star and WaterSense Qualified Products Holiday page.

For additional information geared toward Retail Dealers, click here.

Hakeem Moore of the Raiders Named Offensive Player of the Week

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The Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) has named Richmond Raiders WR Hakeem Moore as one of the three Week 9 Players of the Week.

Raiders WR Hakeem Moore, who is 5’11 and weighs 170 lbs, earned the Week 9 Offensive Player of the Week after scoring a league-high 12 receptions in Friday’s victory of 65-59 over the Alabama Hammers. This helped Richmond improve to 6-2.

Moore had only one touchdown in his previous four games, but was able to get a league-high five touchdowns along with going over the century mark in yards with 171 during Friday’s contest.

Think. Shop. Buy. Local. Ad in Discover Richmond

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We are proud to announce that on this Sunday, May 20th, Think. Shop. Buy. Local. will have a double truck ad featured in Discover Richmond.

This publication is put out by the Richmond Times-Dispatch and acts as a seasoned guide to help readers find new places, people, and events to learn about and explore in Richmond. When you pick up the Times-Dispatch this Sunday, you will find a copy of the 28th annual edition of the Discover Richmond newsletter.

Find out all there is to know about the best dining, style, entertainment, and culture Richmond has to offer!

We’re proud to be included in Discover Richmond.

Monday Night is Date Night at Six Burner Restaurant

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On Monday nights Six Burner Restaurant and Bar is offering its “Great Date Night” dinner for two. This dinner includes salad, an entre, bread, a glass of house red or white wine, and/or a draft beer for each person.

That’s not all, though. You will also get two tickets to the Regal Theatres, which are good at the Westhampton and West Tower and won’t expire.

The cost for this “Great Date Night” is $39.50 for the entire package(not including tax and tip).

To find out more, contact Six Burner at 804 353 4060; or go to Open Table for reservations.

Six Burner is located at 1627 W. Main St., Richmond, VA 23220.

 

Announcement From Our President/CEO – Discount for Veterans

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On May 30th, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles will begin offering veterans’ ID cards that can be used as proof of veteran status. This will allow the 823,000 Virginia veterans who don’t posses disability rating from the VA, to be issued ID cards to show their veteran status other than by presenting their discharge document, the DD214.

This initiative will be kicked off by Governor McDonnell on May 30, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center at 1201 Broad Rock Boulevard. We would like our retailers who currently offer or are considering offering a discount to attend this kick off.

Many of our members completed a survey in early April asking if they offer Veteran discounts and, of those who completed the survey, 20% currently offer a discount and 65% said they would consider offering a discount in the future.

This is a great opportunity to say thank you to the men and women who have served our country to protect the freedom we all enjoy today. Act now, contact us today and let us know about your offer for our veterans.

For those who are currently offering or are willing to offer a veterans discount, we would like permission to have your company name listed in the press release at the kick off. Please let us know by emailing len@retailmerchants.com by May 16.

Register for Spikes on the Green Golf Tournament

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The 10th Annual Spikes on the Green Golf Tournament will be here before you know it. This tournament will commence on Saturday, June 9th. Make sure you’re signed up by no later than June 5th, so you don’t miss out on your chance to play.

A portion of the proceeds from this event will go toward the Richmond Volleyball Club’s Roger Robinson Fund. This fund provides financial assistance to children in our community who are unable to participate in volleyball due to financial restraints.

The golf tournament will take place at 14501 Greenwood Church Road, Montpelier, VA 23192-2826. Registration opens at 11 a.m.

So, sign up and play a great game!

You can find out more details here.

For a printable registration form, click here.

Veterans: Are We Giving Them Enough?

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Thousands of Americans have risked their lives and have made personal sacrifices on the battlefield to protect civilians.

Our soldier’s daily dedication to preserve our safety and freedom has raised the question: Are we doing enough for our veterans?

The Times-Dispatch is inviting you to participate in a civil discussion about the debt owed to our military veterans. An invitation is being extended to community members who are serving or have served in America’s armed forces to discuss this topic.

The conversation begins at 7 p.m. on May 16. Please come early and visit Virginia’s memorial to its heroes in uniform. Doors open at 6 p.m.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch 40th Public Square will be held at the Virginia War Memorial at 621 South Belvidere Street.

 

Capital Ale House Hosts Beer Garden

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Capital Ale House is a highly popular and successful tap house, locally owned and operated in Virginia. The original location—623 E Main St, Richmond, VA 23219—situated in the historic downtown district of Richmond, hosts a treasure hidden from the masses.

The German fashioned beer garden is an aesthetically pleasing courtyard, which can be found in the back of the building, down multiple flights of stairs. The garden is also accessible from the alleyway behind the establishment.

Chris Holder, VP-co owner and director of human resources, says the idea for the beer garden came after a trip to Germany. The garden was constructed from a small parking lot which used to inhabit the space.

“It’s a small, great option and it’s peaceful. There’s not a lot of sun and it stays cool,” said Holder.

Patrons of the garden are shaded by an inhabiting tree. The garden will no doubt be a popular destination for customers during the coming warm months.

For more information about Capital Ale House, its events, locations, and amenities, please contact Amy DuFour at 804.780.ALES (2537).

RMA to Sponsor Business Connect

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We are proud to announce that Retail Merchants Association will be sponsoring and participated in the Community Idea Stations Business Connections 2012. This event is presented by Professionals Referral Organization (PRO) and will take place on May 17th from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Approximately 30 vendors will be displaying their best products and services in the hopes of building better business relationships. There is no cost for entry or parking and light refreshments will be served in the station’s beautiful atrium and adjoining studios located at 23 Sesame Street, Richmond, VA 23235.

For more information please contact Gwynne Brown at 804-560-8266 or gbrown@ideastations.org.