- You remember volunteering to go to the grocery store just so you could eat a rainbow cookie while waiting for your deli meat.
- You REFUSE to call Ukrop’s Martin’s and you would never shop there on a Sunday (and you are definitely still in denial about them getting bought out).
- You know Texas Beach has nothing to do with Texas.
- You remember when Short Pump was just a water pump in a field and felt like the other side of the country. Now you can get anywhere in 15 minutes.
- You know that from 1901 until 1948, live alligators lived in the Jefferson Hotel’s Palm Court fountains.
- You know going to “the river” means going to the James and going to “the Rivah” means the Rappahanock.
- You remember tapas at Avalon, steaks at Davis and Main and happy hour at Soble’s.
- Speaking of food… You know the exact foods on The Travel Channel’s Man vs. Food in Richmond.
- You can recite The Byrd Theater commercial without missing a single second of the scream. (“Litter! In the aisles, in the bathroom, beneath your seat!”)
- You couldn’t wait to pick out your first bike at Agee’s (and sing every word of their jingle while doing just that).
- You have very strong opinions about the Diamond and Connecticut’s home.
- Speaking of The Diamond… you can name all the Major League Baseball players that you saw play on the Richmond Braves.
- You remember when Friday Cheers was at 6th street marketplace… and it actually had shops.
- You participate in the U of R v. VCU rivalry and couldn’t ever imagine cheating on your team.
- You remember The Flood Zone was more than just an area that gathered water during serious rainstorms.
- You celebrated at least one birthday at Bottom’s Up Pizza.
- You proudly boast that Sweet Frog’s first store was here.
- You plan your summer calendar around the Watermelon Festival.
- You know Easter on Parade is not actually a parade; you ARE the parade which is why your Easter bonnet was (and still is) more important than any other accessory you have ever worn.
- You pray the weatherman is actually right (for once) because you know the city will shut down for even a dusting of snow.
- You remember the Arthur Ashe monument unveiling and all the accompanied controversy.
- Mongrel is a go-to for your husband’s anniversary gift, friend’s wedding present, kid’s birthday gift, and pretty much any other occasion ever.
- You remember when Richmond was referred to as RIC, before RVA became a thing.
- You say things like “I was tattooed before tattooing was cool” or “I knew RVA was cool before buzzfeed did!”
- You left because Richmond was lame, but moved back immediately realizing there is no place you would rather be!
What else makes you a true Richmonder? Comment below with your own signs!
