PETERSBURG, Va. – After closing in the Fan and then almost opening downtown, a Richmond restaurateur has found a new home for his brand.
Malcolm Mitchell plans to open Mint Gastropub at 16 W. Old St. in Old Towne Petersburg in August. Mitchell is opening the 2,800-square-foot space with the help of investor Contessa Gray.
āItās a great location and an up-and-coming neighborhood,ā Mitchell said of Petersburg.Ā āThere are foodies everywhere. You have to go where people are willing to sink money into.ā
HisĀ move to PetersburgĀ comes after a few forays into the Richmond dining scene.

Mint’s future location is under renovation in Petersburg. (PHOTO: Evelyn Rupert)
The restaurant had operated at 2501 W. Main St. in the Fan since summer 2013, but closed in February. Mitchell thenĀ announced a planĀ to move Mint to a room in the F.W. Sullivanās at 1001 Haxall Point, only to laterĀ scrap the idea.
Mitchell, 43, said he is still working on opening a Mint location in Richmond. The Petersburg deal just came together faster. The menu at Mint Petersburg will be the same as it was at Mitchellās former Fan operation.
āThe fact that Iām going to Petersburg does not negate the fact that I started in Richmond and am coming back,ā Mitchell said. āMint wasnāt just going to be just a Richmond location. Iām trying to go down the coast and back up the coast.ā
manalishi
And more power to him. The real american spirit of capitalism.