Inspections lead to closure of 18 vape shops, seizure of illegal weapons

Richmond, VA - On December 19, Mayor Danny Avula, Richmond Police Department Chief Rick Edwards, and Planning and Development Review Director Kevin Vonck announced Operation Vaporize, the City's coordinated operation to enforce zoning, building, and safety code requirements at vape shop retail establishments.

Operation Vaporize focuses on ensuring compliance with local and state regulations, including the Code of Virginia §15.2-907 and Richmond City Code §11-155. Inspection teams from Richmond Police, Fire, Planning and Development Review, Zoning, and Finance conduct routine inspections and issue violations when businesses fail to meet requirements. In some cases, inspections have uncovered evidence of suspected criminal activity. When that occurs, RPD seeks search warrants, which have resulted in seizures of illegal weapons, drugs, and illicit currency. To date, Operation Vaporize has inspected 30 vape shops, issuing 274 violations. Eighteen businesses have been placarded and closed until they meet full compliance with zoning, building, and health and safety requirements.

Results to Date: 

• 30 vape shops inspected
• 274 violations issued
• 18 businesses closed
• 17 RPD led-search warrants conducted
• 31 illegal firearms recovered
• Over 100 lbs. of bulk marijuana and illegal THC products seized
• Over $60,000 in illicit currently seized

"Protecting the health and safety of our community, especially our young people, is non-negotiable. As a public health doctor and dad, I know the risks illegal vape products pose. Most businesses follow the rules. For those who choose not to, we will enforce our codes to keep Richmond families safe," said Mayor Danny Avula.

"I appreciate all the good work done by the folks from the Richmond Police Department and departments across the city to address the issues created by vape shops operating illegally. We will continue to press our multi-prong approach and look forward to continued success with our partners," said Richmond Police Department Chief Edwards.

"To protect the health and safety of all our residents, the City has an obligation to ensure all businesses are both zoning and building code compliant. We are willing to educate and worth with owners on how to correct violations in a timely manner," said Director Kevin Vonck, Director of Planning and Development Review.

For more information: Operation Vaporize Presentation from 12/19/2025 Press Conference

City of Richmond Operation Vaporize Inspection Video from 12/19/2025 Press Conference

The Municipal Investment Fund Market Building Grant provides resources to build a pipeline of clean energy projects, which will create jobs, reduce energy prices, and help Richmond take control of its energy future.

RICHMOND, VA (Dec. 15, 2025) - As rising electricity rates continue to put economic pressure on households and businesses, the need for affordable, effective energy that allows Richmond to meet its climate goals by 2050 grows.

To address this need, The City of Richmond in partnership with the Community Climate Collaborative (C3), has been selected as part of a highly competitive, nationwide strategy to be one of the 52 initial cohort communities to receive a grant of $250,000 from the Coalition for Green Capital's Municipal Investment Fund (MIF). Funded by the Coalition for Green Capital, the MIF is seeding green financing at the community level across the U.S to secure local clean energy access and advance local solutions.

The City and C3's partnership will focus on building a self-sustaining market for clean solar and battery power, one that looks past the tax-credit era and into the future. "Clean energy, like solar power and battery storage, has tremendous economic benefits, but it remains out of reach for a wide swath of our community members. As tax credits expire, we need to look ahead to community-level financing solutions that make solar and battery storage available to those who currently can't afford them. Richmond's MIF award will enable the City to engage a wide array of stakeholders in creating these financing programs, and planning to get them in the hands of the residents and businesses that are most in need of lower bills and backup power," states Coles Jennings, Director of Corporate Sustainability, Community Climate Collaborative.

Over the next six months, C3 and the City of Richmond will be working on a public-private partnership (P3) plan that will connect private investment and government support to grow the Richmond area solar and battery power market.

Dawn Oleksy, Energy Program Manager at the Office of Sustainability for the City of Richmond, believes, "This foundational investment is a powerful step toward a cleaner, more equitable and sustainable Richmond. It directly supports two pillars of the City's strategic plan - Thriving and Inclusive Communities and a Thriving and Sustainable Built Environment. With support from the Municipal Investment Fund, we are excited to build a local clean energy economy that advances solar installations, develops the necessary workforce, and continues the important work of building a healthier, more resilient future for every Richmond resident."

"At the Community Climate Collaborative (C3), we believe in the power of communities. We are thrilled that Richmond was selected for a Municipal Investment Fund grant. This opportunity has the potential to accelerate solar and battery deployment across the City while offering new career opportunities for its residents," adds Susan Kruse, Executive Director, Community Climate Collaborative. Identifying the opportunities and challenges associated with developing a strong clean energy project pipeline in Richmond can be a game-changer for Richmond residents' access to clean energy.

The team is thrilled to be bringing this project to the Richmond area and looks forward to working with the Richmond community to build a brighter, cleaner, and more prosperous future. C3 and the City of Richmond encourage financial service providers, building owners and developers, solar developers, and others with an interest in expanding Richmond's solar capabilities to reach out to the project team through this project inquiry form. 

###

About Community Climate Collaborative

The Community Climate Collaborative aims to bring communities together to lead on climate by working closely with schools, businesses, residents, and local governments to implement carbon emissions reductions, develop climate action plans, and enact equitable policies that accelerate climate action. Visit theclimatecollaborative.org.

New downtown offices to open in January 2026

Richmond, VA - The City of Richmond Department of Social Services (DSS) announces that its offices located at 900 E. Marshall Street will be closed to the public beginning Friday, Dec. 19, 2025 as the agency moves into their new office space. In-person services will resume at 300 E. Franklin Street beginning January 2026.

Residents may continue to receive in-person assistance during the DSS Marshall Plaza office move at the Southside Community Services Center, located at:

Southside Community Services Center

4100 Hull Street Road

Richmond, VA 23224

In addition to in-person services at Southside, many DSS programs and resources are available online and by phone. Residents are encouraged to visit www.rva.gov/social-services or call (804) 646-7212 for questions.

Posted December 18, 2025

~ The opening reception will be held January 9, 2026 from 6 – 8 p.m. ~

Richmond, VA – Main Street Station announces the Second Annual “I Love Main Street Station” Art Gallery Exhibition, a vibrant celebration of local artists, creativity, and community connection. The exhibit will run January 9 – 30, 2026 with the opening reception from 6 – 8 p.m. on January 9. The gallery, located inside Main Street Station, 1500 East Main Street, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with free admission.

Building on the success of its inaugural year, the exhibit deepens the artistic celebration by expanding to also include a special collaboration with Gallery5, incorporating select pieces from their River City Rails exhibition. Bringing miniature train cars and imaginative tributes to Richmond’s railways into the gallery, this collaboration broadens the narrative—highlighting not only the landmark itself, but the larger Richmond rail culture that has shaped the identity and connectivity of the city.

Through a dynamic collection of paintings, sculptures, mixed media works, and railway-inspired art objects, the exhibition explores how transit, architecture, and memory come together to define place. The show reflects an ongoing commitment to arts, accessibility, community pride and reinforcing Main Street Station as a hub for cultural expression and a symbol of Richmond’s evolving story.

The opening reception will give attendees the chance to meet and engage in interactive art experiences. Voting will also open to select the top three exhibition winners. 

For more on Main Street Station, go to www.mainstreetstationrichmond.com

###

The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 225 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting; graffiti removal; parking enforcement; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages Main Street Station, the RVA Bike Share program. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond. The Department’s mission is to provide a clean, safe, and healthy environment.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1

Main Street Station (MSS) is owned and operated by the Department of Public Works. Built in 1901, the station is centrally located in the heart of the city and is a historic transportation hub offering a blend of modern amenities, historic charm and classic, stunning architectural design. It features a grand central atrium, intricate stonework, head house, train shed, outdoor space (and patio), and a distinctive clock tower creating a lasting impression of Richmond along the I-95 corridor. This historic venue offers a unique setting for both public and private events. It provides Virginia and the northeast corridor a unique world-class event space that includes 47,000 square feet enclosed in glass, providing breathtaking views of downtown Richmond. It’s a top venue for weddings and events, appearing on numerous “best of” listings. Main Street Station serves as a key point for both Amtrak and local commuter rail services. The station is a vital connection to the region’s transportation network which include partnerships with bus services, such as, GRTC Pulse Bus Rapid Transit, Greyhound and various Megabus services. It also offers bike paths connecting to the Virginia Capital Trail. Described as an “architectural gem” by the United States Postal Service, MSS was selected and featured on a postage stamp! 

For the City's full holiday calendar, please visit rva.gov/holiday-closings.

The City of Richmond will close for winter holidays beginning Wednesday, December 24. All city offices, including City Hall, will be closed. We will return to our regular business hours on Monday, December 29. Keep reading for information about City service schedules during the holiday.

• Department of Public Works offices will be closed Wednesday, December 24, through Friday, December 26.
• Household trash and bulk and brush collection will operate normally Monday, December 22, through Wednesday, December 24. There will be no trash collection or bulk and brush collection on Thursday, December 25. Collection will resume on Friday, December 26, for routes normally collected on Thursday.
• The East Richmond Road Convenience Center (ERRCC) Landfill, located at 3800 East Richmond Road, will be on a regular schedule Monday, December 22, through Wednesday, December 24. It will be closed on Thursday, December 25 through Saturday, December 27. ERRCC will reopen on Monday, December 29.
• CVWMA recycling will not be collected on Thursday, December 25. It will be delayed by one day and recycling will be picked up on Friday, December 26. Go to cvwma.com for updates.
• All Richmond Public Library locations are closed Wednesday, December 24, through Friday, December 26. They will reopen on Saturday, December 27.
• RVA311 will be closed on Wednesday, December 24, through Saturday, December 27 and will reopen on Monday, December 29. The public will have 24/7 access to self-service via RVA311.com and the RVA311 mobile app.
• Richmond Public Schools are closed for winter break from Monday, December 22, through Friday, January 2. RPS Offices are closed Monday, December 22, through Friday, December 26.
• All Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities offices and community centers are closed for recreational activities from Wednesday, December 24 through Saturday, December 27. They will reopen on Monday, December 29.
• The Department of Public Utilities Call Center is closed Wednesday, December 24 through Friday, December 26. For utility emergencies, customers should call 804-646-4646 and press Option 1. For gas leaks, leave the area and call 911.
• Richmond Animal Care and Control will be closed on Thursday and Friday, December 25 and 26. RACC will reopen with regular walk-in hours on Saturday, December 27.

La Ciudad de Richmond cerrará por los días feriados de invierno a partir del miércoles 24 de diciembre. Todas las oficinas de la Ciudad, incluyendo el Ayuntamiento (City Hall), permanecerán cerradas. Volveremos a nuestro horario regular de servicio el lunes 29 de diciembre. Continúe leyendo para conocer información sobre los horarios de los servicios de la Ciudad de Richmond durante los días feriados.

• Las oficinas del Departamento de Obras Públicas estarán cerradas desde el miércoles 24 de diciembre hasta el viernes 26 de diciembre.
• La recolección de basura residencial y de artículos grandes y desechos de jardinería funcionará en su calendario normal del lunes 22 hasta el miércoles 24 de diciembre. No habrá recolección de basura, artículos grandes o desechos de jardinería el jueves 25 de diciembre. Las rutas correspondientes al jueves se recogerán el viernes 26 de diciembre.
• El relleno sanitario del Centro de Servicio de East Richmond Road (ERRCC), ubicado en el 3800 de East Richmond Road, funcionará en su horario normal del lunes 22 hasta el miércoles 24 de diciembre. Estará cerrado del jueves 25 hasta el sábado 27 de diciembre. El ERRCC reabrirá el lunes 29 de diciembre.
• Los servicios de reciclaje de CVWMA no funcionarán el jueves 25 de diciembre. La recolección se atrasará un día, y los artículos para reciclaje se recogerán el viernes 26 de diciembre. Visite cvwma.com para obtener más información.
• Todas las bibliotecas públicas de Richmond estarán cerradas del miércoles 24 hasta el viernes 26 de diciembre. Reabrirán el sábado 27 de diciembre.
• El centro de atención al cliente de RVA311 estará cerrado del miércoles 24 hasta el sábado 27 de diciembre. Reabrirá el lunes 29 de diciembre. El público tendrá acceso las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana al autoservicio a través de la página de RVA311.com y la aplicación móvil RVA311.
• Las Escuelas Públicas de Richmond (RPS) estarán cerradas por las vacaciones invernales desde el lunes 22 de diciembre hasta el viernes 2 de enero.
• Las oficinas de RPS permanecerán cerradas desde el lunes 22 de diciembre hasta el viernes 26 de diciembre.
• Departamento de Parques, Recreación e Instalaciones Comunitarias: Todas las oficinas y centros comunitarios cerrarán para actividades recreativas del miércoles 24 hasta el sábado 27 de diciembre. Reabrirán el lunes 29 de diciembre.
• Departamento de Servicios Públicos (DPU): El centro de llamadas de DPU estará cerrado el del miércoles 24 hasta el viernes 26 de diciembre. Para emergencias de servicios públicos, los clientes deben llamar al 804-646-4646 y seleccionar la Opción 1. Si hay una fuga de gas, aléjese del área y llame al 911.
• El Centro de Control y Cuidado de Animales de Richmond (RACC) estará cerrado el jueves 25 y viernes 26 de diciembre. El RACC reabrirá en su horario regular sin cita previa el sábado 27 de diciembre.