Richmond BizSense

The bond market isn’t frozen. In fact, it’s a good time for municipalities to borrow at near-record lows. The Virginia Resources Authority just sold $200 million in bonds for 15 entities.

Two commercial properties – including the former headquarters of Circuit City – have gone back to lenders.

Why dog-proof the fence when you can fence-proof the dog? Richmond resident Anne Price had a problem with one of her dogs slipping through the bars of the baby gate in her house. Now she has a thriving business selling a pet collar that looks like an inner tube. ...

hhgregg opened their new Short Pump Town Center store last Thursday in the building that formerly housed Circuit City. The store is currently in a soft opening phase, with grand opening to take on Thursday.

Representatives from all sorts of renewable energy sectors came together under one roof last week for the first ever Virginia Alternative and Renewable Energy Conference held at the Richmond Omni.

Alison Miller didn’t plan on getting in the business of selling adult toys and DVDs, but now she runs what was recently voted the best adult store in the country.

A veteran of the advertising business is launching a new venture along with a well known local writer/consultant.

Eastern Virginia Bank and First Capital Bank are no longer going to combine operations in a $27 million deal, as they agreed to in April. The reason, according to a news release, is the series of delays caused by regulation.

There’s a food fight brewing in Carytown, where Kroger is taking dead aim at Ukrop’s. The chain is in negotiations to take over the lease of the CVS next-door and add around 18,000 square feet, which could mean an expanded prepared food section. ...

A few new lawyers and a new director at a local investment bank.

With the deal taking many months longer than either bank president anticipated, and with no deadline in sight, Eastern Virginia Bank and First Capital Bank decided to go their own ways. It was just getting too hard to plan, both tell BizSense.

Best names this week: Fantasia, Save a Little Room for Dessert, and Innocent Moments Photography. After a few hiccups, we also have a list from the City of Richmond.

Two Goochland restaurants – both high-end, both owned by women, and both in converted farm houses – have cooked their last meal.

Two Virginia entrepreneurs who made this year’s Inc. 500 list are sons of an entrepreneur. Plus other signs you may have a start-up in your future.