Virginia’s Capital City

Need Supply Co. was founded in Richmond in 1996. We’ve grown steadily since then and now operate NSTO’s 20,000+ square-foot global headquarters, Need Supply Co’s flagship retail store, and NSTO's 60,000 square-foot fulfillment center from the area.

Richmond, like Need Supply Co. and Totokaelo, keeps a low profile... but word is getting out. We love the city’s art and culture, but the ever-evolving dining scene is creating a buzz around the country.

Richmond is a progressive mid-size city that offers amenities comparable to much larger metropolitan areas while retaining its own personality and just the right amount of Southern charm. Read on to discover some of the many reasons why we love Richmond.

Richmond Neighborhoods

Richmond offers a diverse mix of housing types, from industrial urban lofts and brick row-homes, to traditional single-family dwellings of all sizes and styles. Most neighborhoods have a mix of dwelling styles, but some are

NSTO’s global headquarters is in Scott’s Addition, a once-industrial neighborhood that’s rapidly evolving, renovating existing warehouses and factories into modern offices, restaurants, and apartments. Scott’s Addition is also the heart of Richmond’s craft beer scene. Our office is within walking distance from six craft breweries, one meadery, and an award-winning cidery.

Need Supply Co’s retail store is in the Carytown Shopping District of The Fan neighborhood. The Fan, which lies between Virginia Commonwealth University’s Monroe Park Campus and the stately homes of The West End, is full of turn-of-the-century row homes (both single-family and those subdivided into apartments). Exuding a Brooklyn-Brownstone-meets-southern-charm vibe, it’s where college students, young professionals, and families seamlessly intermix. Classic architecture and distinct dining (with award-winning options too numerous to count) are tucked into each street in this iconic and historical neighborhood. The Museum District is a sub-neighborhood tucked inside the central part of the Fan and surrounds the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

One of the seven hills of Richmond, Church Hill offers sweeping views of the city and sits adjacent to Shockoe Bottom, with only Shockoe Slip and Downtown Richmond between the area and the east side of VCU’s Monroe Park campus. Church Hill is filled with large parks, historic homes and lofts, and offers easy access to the city’s biking and hiking trails, as well as riverfront recreation areas. Shockoe Bottom and “the Slip” are full of restaurants, bars and clubs, in addition to Amtrak’s Main Street Station, which offers convenient and affordable transport up and down the Atlantic coastline with connections to various cross-country and inland routes.

Our employees live throughout the city based on their housing needs and commuting preferences, but for our office and retail staff, they predominately live within Richmond city limits in the following neighborhoods: The Fan (which also includes the Museum District and Carytown), Scott’s Addition, Jackson Ward, Westover Hills, the Near West End, Downtown, Shockoe Bottom, Church Hill, and Northside.

Food & Drinks

Bon Appetit recently named Richmond “America’s Next Great Restaurant-Obsessed Town.” Check out the feature and their recommendations on where to eat as well as National Geographic UK’s travel feature on The ultimate culinary guide to Richmond, VA.

There are genuinely too many creative, locally-owned concepts to list, but a few favorites near our office and store include:

In Scott’s Addition:

Bars & Breweries:

In Carytown & The Fan:

Climate & Seasons

Richmond’s climate is temperate, with four distinct and enjoyable seasons. Spring brings colorful explosions from the many flowering dogwood trees (the official tree of Virginia), while warm summer weather allows residents to take advantage of the urban riverside recreation opportunities and proximity to Virginia Beach and Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Fall is a great time to explore the surrounding mountains – from the Shenandoah Valley to the Blue Ridge Parkway region. Virginia is home to over three hundred wineries; explore the regions and vineyards in the Virginia Wine Trail Guide. Richmond winters are usually mild, with snow averages of 11” per year (less than half the national average), but less than four hours west of Richmond, there are numerous downhill ski resorts with cross-country trails, snowboarding parks, and snow tubing options receiving over 80” of natural snow each year.

Transportation

Out-of-town: Richmond has two Amtrak stations (Main Street Station and Staples Mill Rd.) that serve the area and connect the city to destinations up and down the East coast and beyond. If you prefer to fly, Richmond’s International Airport (RIC) sits just outside the city and offers non-stop flights to major domestic and international cities.

In-town: Most of our staff have personal vehicles and drive to work, but not all. Richmond is very manageable for non-drivers and there are lots of residence options near our office and retail store. Whether choosing to walk, bike, or take public transportation, it’s easy to get around without a car. Bike lanes are common throughout the city (as are an ever-growing number of electric scooters).

Quality of Life

As of May 2019, the cost of living in Richmond sits below the national average. Additionally, the average rent in Richmond is below both the state and national averages for 1-4 bedroom dwellings, meaning you can do more for less than other comparable metropolitan areas.

From art events, a thriving music scene, and extensive outdoor recreation opportunities, you’ll find the quality of life in Richmond comparable to a much larger city, but the general pace is much more relaxed.

All photos on this page are courtesy of Richmond Region Tourism.