Jahnke - Richmond, VA Area Guide

As one of Richmond’s south-of-the-river neighborhoods, Jahnke grew up as the early city of Manchester expanded westward. Both Manchester and early Richmond owe their initial settlement to the falls of the James River, which stopped water traffic from going farther upstream. Manchester eventually became part of Richmond, though, and the Jahnke neighborhood similarly followed suit to become part of the city.

Several Richmond museums tell the area’s history, including the Valentine Museum, Old Dominion Railway Museum and the American Civil War Museum at Historic Tredegar. A nearby Forest Hill art gallery presents the annual 43rd Street Festival of the Arts, with more than 70 artists and their wares.

For ongoing festivals, locals head to Forest Hill Park’s Music in the Park Concert Series, held from May till October, or to Byrd Park’s Festival of the Arts for free outdoor entertainment throughout the summer, including the annual Fourth of July blow-out.

Although the neighborhood's small shopping center hosts several casual restaurants, Jahnke sees the majority of its residents travel outside of the neighborhood for restaurants and nightlife.

A short drive down Jahnke to Forest Hill Avenue gives even more enticing casual dining choices. For a relaxing coffee shop atmosphere, check out TaZa Coffee ‘n Crème. TaZa specializes in local food and drinks, from breakfast sandwiches, bagels and donuts to lunchtime sandwiches. Sandwich names arise from local inspiration, such as the Jahnke, grilled cheese on Richmond's billy bread, and the Westover, rare roast beef and sharp provolone cheese with lettuce, tomato, onion and horseradish sauce. The atmosphere in the renovated building is comfy, providing free Wi-Fi for customers and a perfect place for that informal business meeting. Local products worth trying are the Cupertino's bagels, Dixie donuts and Blanchard's coffee. The shop doubles as a specialty market, featuring Blanchard's Coffee in bags, local craft beer and wine, and absolutely divine Chocolates by Kelly.

For a restaurant experience that fills your heart as well as your stomach, head to Max's Positive Vibe Cafe, a non-profit that trains disabled people to work in the food industry. Thanks to the great service and food, customers and locals.cone back again and again. Top local chefs created the menu, which displays its Southern roots in favorites such as buttermilk fried oysters, spicy shrimp and grits, Brunswick stew, deviled eggs, collard greens, and Southern-style fried catfish.

Irish-inspired O'Toole's Restaurant and Pub has attracted fans from throughout Richmond since 1966, drawing crowds with excellent food and an upbeat nightlife. The menu includes traditional Irish and British dishes as well as American favorites. For a taste of the Isles, try the shepherd's pie, a hearty beef and vegetable mix topped with mashed potatoes and cheese. Consider trying the bangers and mash, Irish pork sausage with mashed potatoes and brown gravy, or fish and chips, beer-battered fried cod with house-made potato chips. The pub provides domestic beers and a few craft beers to wash down your dinner.

Several nearby venues provide acoustic music, including TaZa's third Thursday jam session and O'Toole's live bands on weekends. Rock Falls Tavern and The Forest, both standard dive bars, also entertain locals at night. Across the river, larger venues, such as The Camel, Strange Matter, the Richmond Coliseum and Broadberry set the stage for bigger bands.

Automobiles provide the primary form of transportation for the neighborhood, but bus stops along Jahnke Road help many residents make use of the GRTC Transit System as well. Cabs can easily be hailed by phone and friendly Uber called by using the company’s handy app. The Jahnke homes, apartments and shopping center provide plenty of free parking.

Chippenham Parkway access at the edge of the neighborhood means handy access to one main highway. Better yet, Chippenham links to the city’s expressway system, for easy car access to many Richmond destinations.

With a shopping area nearby and sidewalks along the main road, the neighborhood is walkable for basic needs. The lack of bicycle lanes makes biking risky.

The neighborhood includes one simple park with a complex web of trails. Powhite Park can’t claim picnic tables or ball fields or playgrounds, but mountain bikers and trail runners find their Zen on this exercise trail. The park provides a free parking area and charges no fees for use.

You find more park services and a beautiful, rolling setting at historic Forest Hill Park. Originally at the terminus of the Forest Hill streetcar line and home to an early 1900s amusement park, the grassy, forested setting now hosts two picnic shelters, a lake, walkways, trails, a tot lot and four tennis courts. The park is also home to the South of the James farmers market and the summer-long Festival in the Park. The city park charges no fee for use or parking and leashed dogs are allowed.

You find more outdoor park activities across the James River at Byrd Park, which hosts a popular Fourth of July concert and fireworks; Festival of the Arts, a summertime series of music, theater, dance and kid-centered performances; and Arts in the Park, an exhibit of art and crafts available for enjoyment as well as purchase. Like other city parks, parking and admission are free. Byrd Park also hosts Barker Field dog park, where pets can run free and play with their fellow furry friends.

Cost of living here is lower than the city average, with average rent for a one-bedroom residence at $606 a month. The Forest Hill bus route goes downtown, so a single $1.50 fare with no transfer necessary takes a rider to city center. Price of a beer at a local pub begins at $2 for domestic and increases for better craft beers. Fuel prices in the area hover around eight percent less than the national average.

The Jahnke neighborhood hosts one small shopping center, with a wider range of options available along nearby Forest Hill Avenue, especially west on Forest Hill, and from Chippenham Parkway. Close by are high-value stores, including Re-Use Thrift & Consignment and Rainbow clothing. You can shop high-end stores at Stony Point Fashion Park, just off Chippenham. Stony Point hosts Coach, Sur la Table, Brooks Brothers, and many more national names, all anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue, Dillard’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

If you’re a comic fan, you must put Stories Comics on your shopping list. With their large inventory of comics, apparel, action figures, books, sci-fi and horror magazines and graphic novels they are a true one stop shop.

For a wide selection of beer and wine plus gourmet food and gifts go to Once Upon a Vine. Stop by on early evening each Friday for their weekly wine and beer tastings. Look for local craft beers from Hardywood Park, Strangeways, Lickinghole Creek and Virginia brands such as AleWerks and Devil's Backbone or ask their and a knowledgeable staff for a recommendation.

A Food Lion in the Jahnke neighborhood can service basic grocery needs. For a wider selection, head up Chippenham to Martin’s or Walmart Supercenter. If you’re in need of specialty seafood, Bon Air Seafood has you covered, while Once Upon a Vine services your wine, beer and some specialty food needs.

One of the city’s favorite farmers markets lies nearby at Forest Hill Park. Vendors set up every Saturday throughout the year at the South of the James market. This open-air market hosts only producers – farmers or artisans selling their own wares – not wholesalers or distributors. You can find a variety of fresh produce, meats, jams and baked goods. Be sure to check out Mrs. Yoder’s donut truck. The fresh, hot donuts come straight from their ovens and quite literally melt in your mouth.