To say Charleen Baylor is all about serving her community and bringing people together is an understatement. During our chat about her business, Nutty Buttery Ice Cream Parlor, Pantry and Cafe, all sorts of people wanted a piece of her time. At least six people stopped by during our time together—some leaving the cafe, others just in the neighborhood—to chat with her, share their gratitude about her new place, or discuss recent community happenings. 

Nutty Buttery is warm, inviting and a cozy place to stop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Serving up an eclectic menu of salads, burgers, baked goods, Bev’s Homemade Ice Cream, sandwiches, fish & chips, tacos and pizza, the Carver establishment has already built quite the following since its May opening. And Baylor seems to know everybody—greeting them with a smile, a wave or a hug. 

“It was never about just being a restaurant. I wanted a place where people would come and have something that would draw them—like food, ice cream, music,” Baylor  said. “I wanted to foster a sense of community, and that community doesn't have to live in Carver or Jackson Ward.”

Her spot is already home to meetings for civic associations, fundraisers for Carver Elementary School, Richmond’s Coming to the Table group, the Carver neighborhood association and other community organizations. In addition to hosting these groups, the cafe boasts a small stage that is home to a wide assortment of entertainment. 

“I wanted to have a musical presence; I love music,” she said. “I have jazz on Sunday, karaoke on Saturday, and I’m trying to do a variety of live music or live acts on Fridays.” 

Serving the community has always been a part of Baylor’s life. Her grandfather and great aunt both owned businesses that were popular neighborhood spots with a deep purpose of community. Her grandfather owned Lightfoot’s Bakery, and her great aunt operated a beauty school and salon, both in Ashland. Baylor said residents would come into each of the spots to mingle, get the news and connect with friends. This sparked her idea for her community-focused place. 

“What I recognized is that they were not just businesses; they were a magnet for the community,” she said.  

In the back corner of the cafe near the bar, a small candy and nut display sits in homage to her grandfather, who had a case of a variety of sweet treats in his Ashland bakery. To honor her great aunt’s beauty salon, Baylor arranged an array of her antiques in the front corner of the cafe including an old camera, a comb holder and a baby blue steam iron. 

Opening Nutty Buttery was a lifelong dream for Baylor, but the path to becoming an entrepreneur was not an easy one. Baylor fought a tough battle with cancer, and after three decades of working as Director of Respiratory Care for Bon Secours, she lost her job.

And as an African American lesbian business woman, Baylor said she has always faced roadblocks. 

“There are always obstacles; I have been both all my life, going back to first grade, I knew I was gay,” she said. “It angered me that boys got to do things that girls couldn't do. I’ve learned just to trudge on. People have so many prejudices and biases; you can't let it get you down, and you can’t stop fighting.”

Despite life throwing several curveballs her way, it didn’t stop her from pursuing her dream. About a year after losing her job and successfully beating cancer, she started looking for spaces to open her venture. With Carver being her home for over 30 years, there wasn’t any doubt where she wanted to set up shop.

“I wanted it in Richmond, because I love Richmond,” she said. “I love the growing diversity, and I just love all different kinds of people. I envision this place being full of a variety of people.”

Nutty Buttery Ice Cream Parlor, Pantry and Cafe is open Tues - Thurs. 9 am - 9 pm, Fri & Sat 9 am - 10 pm and Sunday 11 am - 7 pm. 

- Amy David Tucker