Hope Cartwright

6 days ago | virginialiving.com | Hope Cartwright

"As a child, soy sauce was such a familiar part of my life that I never considered it extraordinary," says Takashi Sato, president and eighth-generation member of the founding family of San-J, an international soy sauce brand. Yet, the unassuming 10-ounce bottles of soy sauce have become just that: extraordinary. San-J produces those bottles at a Henrico facility-one that became the first Tamari brewer in the U.S. when it opened in 1987.

1 week ago | virginialiving.com | Hope Cartwright

A sun-warmed beach and an ice-cold cocktail: what is it about the pair that make such a perfect match? When the two adored relaxation rituals meet, magic happens-especially inside of Coastal Virginia's distilleries. These distillers take oceanside inspo and bottle it, bringing the beach vibes to you. Blue Sky Distillery: The Blackbeard's Point Rum reminds you that pirates once marauded Virginia's eastern waters.

2 weeks ago | virginialiving.com | Hope Cartwright

Tens of thousands of drivers speed past Petersburg daily on I-95, but its exit ramps are becoming busier as the city emerges as a destination in itself. The industry is moving in and fast. Denmark-based pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk acquired a facility there last December, and Phlow Pharmaceutical launched operations last summer, positioning Petersburg as a pharmaceutical hub. Meanwhile, Ashburn-based Independence Hydrogen debuted a green hydrogen plant in the city last year.

2 weeks ago | virginialiving.com | Hope Cartwright

Deciding where to eat: a struggle that continuously threatens to foil plans for a fun, food-filled night out. Suddenly, every category, flavor, and variety of food flies out of your head. When you know you want to go out to eat, but can't think of what to eat, epic food halls do the hard work for you, presenting an array of eats from various ethnicities, inventive chefs, and blossoming brands.

3 weeks ago | virginialiving.com | Hope Cartwright

Pets are family, so why not include them in the big day? From ponies and dogs to cats, here are some of our favorite ways couples are bringing their four-legged friends into the celebration:Bridal party roles (groomsmen, bridesmaids, flower girls, ring bearers)Cookie and dessert decorationFeatured photo by Abigail Thomas Photography/Michael & Anja 2025 wedding submission. This article originally appeared in the February 2025 issue. Hope Cartwright is associate editor of Virginia Living.