The Westhampton Commons mixed-use development has leased its final two industrial spaces. (Jonathan Spiers image)
Marking the completion of its Westhampton Commons development, Thalhimer Realty Companions has leased out the final of its industrial areas to two new-to-marketplace splendor marketplace manufacturers.
The combined-use growth at Patterson and Libbie avenues has signed Vestique, a women’s manner boutique chain, and Drybar, a hair salon franchise.
Along with formerly signed tenants The Pit and The Peel and Conejo, the additions signal the conclusion of the $73 million undertaking that redeveloped pieces of the former Westhampton University home.
The 250,000-square-foot, combined-use making, which replaces 1 of two buildings that created up the school, incorporates 128 flats and has captivated 120 candidates for these units, TRP’s Jason Guillot mentioned.
In addition to the maxed-out commercial portion, Westhampton Commons also consists of office environment tenants Raymond James & Associates, Joyner Great Houses and University of Richmond’s Spider Administration.
“It’s just about the antithesis of Scott’s Addition,” Guillot said of the 5800 Patterson Ave. house, which contains a parking deck and a considerable amount of money of greenery. “(It is a) wonderful position to live for a person who’s lively.”
Nonetheless in its permitting section, the new Vestique will be the North Carolina-based mostly company’s 12th brick-and-mortar institution and its initially store in Virginia.
Vestique proprietors Morgan Lashley and Caroline Dunham. (Picture courtesy of Vestique)
The 1,300-square-foot shop will be staffed by just one entire-time personnel, as well as 5 to 10 section-timers. Referred to as stylists, staff members help shoppers generate outfits that match their overall body and aesthetic desires.
In accordance to its site, Vestique now has about 100 workforce and an Instagram with 176,000 followers. The store’s costs for products variety from $5 to $50 and up.
The business was launched in 2010 by Morgan Lashley and Caroline Dunham. The two entrepreneurs, the two 37, experienced seemed to expand into Richmond considering the fact that late 2014, Lashley reported, attracted to the city’s progress and smaller town atmosphere.
Prior to Westhampton Commons, the proprietors considered opening in Small Pump and experienced also appeared at the Libbie-and-Grove area and Carytown as likely options. They stated the Westhampton Commons house suited their requirements nicely. Thalhimer’s Annie O’Connor served as the broker.
“We really liked the co-tenancy,” Lashley explained of the new location. “The fact that Drybar is likely in upcoming door is great, for the reason that which is our demographic.”
Salon chain Drybar is readying its storefront at Westhampton Commons. (Jonathan Spiers picture)
A further new-to-Richmond manufacturer, Drybar is creating its entry into Richmond by way of Christine Verfurth, 52, who has owned and operated the franchise’s Virginia Beach location considering the fact that 2021. She reported household losses prompted her to be part of the franchise in 2019 as a alter from her community accounting occupation in Norfolk.
A 10 years-very long member and later on a chapter president of Coastal Virginia’s Professional Real Estate Women of all ages (CREW), Verfurth mentioned she was motivated by the entrepreneurial spirit of the females she encountered.
Like Vestique’s house owners, Verfurth also deemed a range of areas in Richmond. She located out about Westhampton Commons as a result of CREW Richmond member Danielle Beckstoffer, a Thalhimer agent who related her with colleague James Ashby IV, who assisted in the deal.
At initially, Verfurth almost did not consider the spot, as she stated it did not meet her company and infrastructure wants. On the other hand, she described Guillot as a great assistance in altering the place to accommodate a salon.
Development on the 1,800-sq.-foot place commenced in April. With 11 chairs and 4 clean stations, Verfurth reported consumers will be equipped to delight in a laid-back encounter complemented with a mimosa or champagne. An ABC license for the site is pending.
Christine Verfurth established Virginia Beach’s Drybar in 2021 and is increasing to Richmond.
Drybar does not lower or shade hair but rather focuses on blowouts, an strategy Verfurth said can conserve friends time and cash. A blowout costs $49 and usually takes about 45 minutes, according to the franchise’s internet site.
The new Richmond locale will open on July 22 with 12 to 18 skilled stylists. Verfurth said she’s looking to hire up to 40 staff members.
As for Vestique, Lashley expects the keep to be all set someday upcoming slide, next the opening of its 11th retailer in Cary, North Carolina.
Plans contain a ongoing concentrate on e-commerce, a portion of the business enterprise that Lashley claimed grew noticeably in latest years — particularly through the lockdown era of the pandemic.
“This yr has been a roller coaster,” Lashley stated. “We’ve had some great months, we have experienced some terrible months. We’re just hoping to stop the year flat.”
Present-day delivery expenses and predictions of an impending recession have prompted some improvements to their business model, these types of as a reduction in inventory. Nevertheless, Lashley sees this as likely valued by clientele, lessening the probability of similar outfits between customers.
Drybar’s Verfurth also acknowledged pandemic-brought about pains to her enterprise, but pointed out ambitions to develop with numerous places across Richmond as very well as southeastern Virginia.
Of the Westhampton Commons opening, she stated, “The excitement is fantastic. I’ve experienced a ton of enthusiasm from other nearby enterprise, from people on Instagram.”
