Feb. 19 Newsletter: Unauthorized buns a part of Secret Sandwich squabble
Weather: Snow, high of 27.
Cancellations: All local school districts are virtual today; government offices and courts are closed.
On this date in 1979, Richmond has 10.9 inches of snowfall in a 24-hour span. At the time, it is the eighth-largest snowfall on record. (It now ranks 15th.)
Today's newsletter sponsored by VCU. Virginia Commonwealth University is a powerhouse of innovation and creative problem solving. We attack challenges as opportunities. VCU is truly unlike any university you’ve ever seen.
What’s going on with Secret Sandwich Society?
A licensing dispute that involves the alleged use of an “unauthorized bun” is threatening to shutter one of Richmond’s popular sandwich shops.
The group that licenses the Secret Sandwich Shop name has sued the Richmond restaurant's current owners, and is asking a court to halt operations.
Court records show both sides appear open to a settlement, though the latest round of legal proceedings would appear to represent a step in the opposite direction.
A pair of viral Instagram posts over the weekend brought the fight into the public eye for the first time. Read more about the dispute here.
Snow arrives today, conditions won't deteriorate until tonight
Meteorologist Sean Sublette tells us what to watch for:
- A few flakes will fall this morning, but it won't pick up until the afternoon.
- This will be a more powdery snow, as a colder snow has less moisture content. Snowballs may not form too easily at first.
- Another burst of snow comes Thursday morning, but it will not add significantly to what has fallen.
Read more, including why weather apps are in such disagreement over how much snow we'll get.
Richmond couple creates nonprofit to help current and future HBCU students
Kristen Johnson and her husband Rufus both enjoyed their experiences at HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), and are now giving back to the next generation of students.
- In 2020, they used personal money to start a scholarship, which has blossomed into a nonprofit that provides scholarships, dorm room staples and other programs to students.
Their group is also providing a fee waiver to help 500 Richmond students apply to HBCUs for free this spring. Read more here.
Also today in The Richmonder
Graham Moomaw
Richmonder Staff
Jerry Lindquist
Today's sponsor:
Rao details how VCU is creating the ‘next generation of great thinkers, inventors, innovators and problem-solvers’
During the State of the University, the VCU president highlights the university’s efforts to drive change that benefits people and the broader society – and explains how VCU is embracing AI. Rao said, “VCU is adapting to changes — and even creating the changes we see in our society and our technology.”
Rao pointed to three major areas of impact during his address:
- How VCU’s research drives innovation.
- How students get professional experiences that help prepare them for their careers.
- And how VCU is preparing students for a world driven by emerging technologies.
In other news
- Stanley's makes the case for a Richmond cheesesteak (Style Weekly)
- Iron Mountain to build data center in Henrico's White Oak Technology Park (Henrico Citizen)
- A full list of Wednesday's closings and delays (NBC 12)
The editor's desk
The alleged "unauthorized buns" the Secret Sandwich Society in Richmond uses are Martin's brand potato buns. If using Martin's buns is wrong, I don't want to be right.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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