Rachel Neighbors took up planting as a hobby during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now she is branching out with the opening of Ray Ray’s Plants, a new shop on Monticello Avenue next to Silver Hand Meadery that is dedicated to indoor planting.
A grand opening was held Friday for the new business, which sells plants and accessories as well as pots and planters in various shapes, sizes, colors and themes. Pots are repurposed from mugs, glasses, bowls, cans, jars and other unique thrift store finds.
“Anything can be a pot to me,” Neighbors said. “Plants bring a lot of life to a space. I find plants healing. I love being around plants and the creativity that comes with pairing pots and plants.”
The shop carries a host of plants to spruce up homes, offices, dorm rooms and other indoor spaces, some that need a lot of attention and care and others, such as succulents, that require minimal maintenance.
“We have a variety to match people’s expertise level and their commitment level,” Neighbors said. “Some people only have time to water once a week. Plants shouldn’t be stressful. They should be fun.”
Neighbors, the mother of 6-month-old twins, began selling at markets and festivals such as 2nd Sundays with the help of her husband, Len, before deciding to open her own shop. Eventually she would like to add a soil bar where customers can make their own potting mix and host workshops and events such as ladies’ night out planting parties.
“I’m excited for people to come in and explore, admire the plants and learn more,” she said. “Plants bring a lot of joy to people. Our motto is houseplants make homes.”
Ray Ray’s Plants is located at 226 Monticello Ave. The store is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit rayraysplants.com.
Don Chido food truck opening restaurant next year
Don Chido, a popular food truck specializing in Latin-Korean fusion cuisine, plans to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant in downtown Williamsburg next spring.
Abner Alva, owner of Don Chido, announced Oct. 4 on social media that he plans to open a restaurant at 515 Prince George St., adjacent to The Amber Ox. Don Chido will occupy the space where The Hound’s Tale currently operates after The Hound’s Tale closes its downtown location in December. The owners of The Hound’s Tale, along with The Hound’s Tale Kitchen and Corner BARKery, recently announced plans to relocate in the former Baker’s Crust location in Settlers Market in January.
“We plan to have our soft opening early March,” Alva said. “We are very excited for this opportunity and hope Williamsburg is as well.”
Alva, a native of Guatemala, launched his food truck five years ago. Don Chido serves street tacos and tapas. For more information, visit donchidova.com.
New Chick-fil-A coming to York County
A new Chick-fil-A will soon open in York County along Route 17. Cushman & Wakefield/Thalhimer announced Wednesday that the popular fast-food chain bought roughly 6.94 acres at 5600 George Washington Memorial Highway.
Chick-fil-A purchased the property from Lidl Us Operations LLC for $2.1 million for the construction of a new restaurant. Lidl, a German grocery store with several locations in Hampton Roads, initially bought the vacant lot years ago with the intent of building a store in York County, but the project never came to fruition.
Dots and Dashes
Pho 79, a Vietnamese noodle restaurant located at 4903 Courthouse St. in New Town, has closed. The restaurant first opened its Williamsburg location in 2016. Other locations remain in Hampton, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach.
A ribbon cutting was held at the end of September for Orangetheory, a fitness facility on High Street that is under new ownership. New owners Dane and Chelsea Fisher have been Orangetheory members for 10 years.
Virginia Gourmet, a shop specializing in Virginia-based food and beverage products, permanently closed its location at Williamsburg Premium Outlets. Certain items can still be purchased online at virginiagourmetfood.com.
Brandy Centolanza, bcentolanza@cox.net
https://www.dailypress.com/2025/10/10/business-notes-new-plant-shop-opens-on-monticello-avenue/
