RICHMOND, Va. – In response to feedback from residents and business owners, city leadership has created what they believe is a compromise to allow more local flavor at the Redskins Training Camp.
CBS 6 reported last year that although leadership promised an economic boost of millions for the city, no local vendors were allowed to sell food inside the training camp to the thousands that visited during the summer.
Instead, visitors found national chain vendors like Johnny Rockets and Famous Daves; none of those vendors actually operate facilities within the city of Richmond, as several city restaurant owners pointed out.
The Redskins already had existing legal agreements with the vendors found inside the camp, and the city did not negotiate on behalf of local vendors when the agreement was signed to bring the team here.
Last summer restaurant owners expressed their willingness to showcase their food at the site, and it looks like the city heard them.
On June 4, an official notice was posted on the Washington Redskins Bon Secours Training Center website that applications are now being accepted for “training camp food court.”
If you’re interested, you have only until June 15, 2014 to apply.
There are limited spaces available and the fee is $2,500, which covers the entire duration of training camp.
Also, the spaces are not set up within the training camp; they are directly outside it, along West Leigh Street.
Priority will be given to those vendors who are available for each session of training camp.
All accepted applicants will be required to submit a copy of their business license, health permit, and certificate of insurance. Payment is due upon acceptance.
If you are interested in participating, please email Lesa Williams at lwilliams@smgrichmond.com. For additional questions, you can call 804/780-4970, extension 114.
Please attach a photo of your typical set up to an email with the following information:
- Name
- Business Name
- Mailing Address
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Registered MWBE (Y/N)
- VA Tax ID Number
- Products and Description
- Dimensions of truck/trailer
Read the official announcement here.
In 2013 the camp attracted a total of 165,571 visits to the facility, bringing people in from all 50 states over the course of the three weeks, according to officials. The team has an eight-year deal with the city.
Training camp will begin on July 24 and run through August 11; complete schedule is here.
Fan Appreciation Day is set for August 2. Practice times are a little different than last year. The Redskins will hold a full practice beginning at 8:35am each day (unless otherwise noted) and a 4:10pm walk through.
The camp opens at 8 a.m. and will close around 6 p.m. daily.
