Ix fix: Downtown property gets a drive-through makeover

That “dead end” sign posted at the Second Street SE entrance to the Ix building off Elliott Avenue? Ignore it and come on through! The 17-acre commercial property two blocks south of the Downtown Mall, bordered by Elliott and Monticello avenues, is now an owner-sanctioned shortcut that can help Mall-bound Downtown drivers avoid rush hour […]

Tomtoberfest pushes town-gown innovation with a light heart

The Tom Tom Founder’s Festival is headed back to school. Paul Beyer is getting ready to launch the second annual Tomtoberfest, the smaller autumn sister of the spring music and innovation showcase he created in 2012 in the image of Austin’s SXSW. This year’s fall fest runs Wednesday through Saturday, and doubles down on a concept Beyer, a developer and […]

Employers brace for increased costs after UVA changes insurance policy

Last month, UVA announced big changes to its health insurance plans, citing increasing costs pushed higher by pending mandates from the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Premiums are going up by $40 a month, and the spouses of employees who can get coverage through their own employers are no longer eligible. The ripple effect of the overhaul by […]

Local Food Hub helps small farmers prep for big changes to food safety laws

The first major update to food safety regulations since the 1930s is coming down the pike for America’s farmers, and the impacts could be big for produce growers—including those in Central Virginia. The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) puts what was previously a voluntary and industry-driven effort to avoid produce contamination under the direct supervision […]

Construction, housing market growth signal local economic health

When it comes to the local economy, the good omens are stacking up. Recent analyses from the city and an area realtor’s association show that total construction value in the city reached an all-time high in 2012, and the volume and value of home sales is showing sustained growth. And while market watchers are hesitant […]

Kroger announces purchase of Harris Teeter grocery stores

The area’s two largest grocery store chains are merging in a $2.44 billion deal. Kroger announced last week it will buy Harris Teeter, putting the six stores that control almost half of local grocery sales under the ownership of one company. It’s big news in a city where food retail options are diverse, shoppers are loyal, […]