Wirt Confroy
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Why do you love Richmond?
I love RVA for a lot of reasons. On the daily, we've got great restaurants, local bands, Carytown shopping, with growing craft beer, wine and spirits. I enjoy our diverse vibe - urban & downtown center + nearby rural areas - and the different types of neighborhoods. As someone who travels around VA a lot, Richmond is the perfect center spot to call home. An in each direction, coastal towns and beaches, the NoVa hustle & bustle, the mountains and Southern VA lakes and small towns. I particularly love our local music, arts and burlesque scene.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Richmond?
To hang with my friends and enjoy RVA's great bevs and food. From the Northside, to Shockoe Slip, Downtown, Jackson Ward, Carytown to Bon Air - there's always a local, homegrown place to relax, eat, drink, catch up, laugh and get ridiculous.
What do you do here?
I work for the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the state's tourism agency - "Virginia is for Lovers" - visiting and working with Virginia communities to develop and market their tourism product and visitor experiences. Overall, to maximize Virginia's tourism potential, statewide. I think I have the best job on the planet. Working with a great team to keep Virginia relevant as a competitive, world-wide travel destination. And at the same time, preserve it's authenticity and local charms.
What’s your favorite restaurant?
For my savory fix, Sumo San sushi in Shockoe Bottom is my other kitchen table. Piccola Italy Pizza & Subs has been a tride-and-true mainstay since college. It's now part of my DNA. Mamma Zu is so unique, delicious and still a fave. Chiocca's, Mekong, HoneyWhytes and Tarrant's Café never disappoint. And in all honesty ... a Taco Bell 'run for the border' is always a pleasure. As for my sweet tooth, I bow down to Country Style Donuts. And mad props to For the Love of Chocolate! and BEV's Ice Cream in Carytown
What would you tell somebody who has never been to Richmond before?
Richmond is a great place to mix-n-match things you like, as different as they may be, and find them ready and waiting in RVA. Burlesque + BBQ; Colonial History + Country Style Donuts; River rock lounging + Rappahannock Oysters; Babe's Sat Night + Sidewalk Sunday Brunch; Lewis Ginter; Botanical Garden + local band at the Camel; LGBT History bus tour + the list goes on, and on, and on
What's your favorite store?
ORANGE in Carytown. Owner Cathy works hard to find locally made and RVA-inspired art and home goods. It's a great place to start your hunt for unique and local gifts for someone else, and yourself. Runners up include the occasional browse at Diversity Thrift - always a good idea. And Visual Art Studio/Art Gallery on W. Broad Street - Anne Hart Chay keeps things fresh and affordable.
How do you spend your free time?
To hang with my friends and enjoy RVA's great bevs and food. From the Northside, to Shockoe Slip, Downtown, Jackson Ward, Carytown to Bon Air - there's always a local, homegrown place to relax, eat, drink, catch up, laugh and get ridiculous.
What's your favorite neighborhood?: I'm a Shockoe Bottom dweller and dig the city-gritty vibe, its walkability and our collection of awesome freaks, punks, geeks and professionals I gladly call neighbor
How do you describe your community?
Richmond is definitely a place in transition. It maintains a stereotypical conservativeness, but swirling around its iconic Capital Building, and stepping OUT of its West End, Southside, Northside and East End neighborhoods are locals passionate in their music, burlesque and side shows, breweries, including Black Heath Meadery, local art galleries and Party Liberation Front-sponsored events. Included in this home-grown, changing and creative vibe are advances in LGBT heritage, culture and ease of living. From LGBT history tours, the acknowledgment of LGBT contributions in the political and business sectors, to the further mainstreaming of our Triangle Players performances, Pride and local LGBT events and a continuing break from a long-standing "Don't ask, don't tell" mindset. Progress in these areas is notable and good. It makes RVA an even better place to work, live and play.