Richmond, Virginia, has unveiled a groundbreaking establishment that seamlessly intertwines the exhilaration of a sports bar with the allure of a sports card shop. Entitled Parlay at Graybo’s, this avant-garde venue is nestled in the vibrant Scott’s Addition neighborhood, renowned for its diverse entertainment offerings.
Conceived by the visionary minds of Duke Dodson, Ryan Fitz, and Gray “Graybo” Burnette, Parlay at Graybo’s endeavors to furnish a communal haven where patrons can relish the excitement of unwrapping new card packs, join live card breaks, catch live sports action on expansive screens, all while savoring delectable meals and drinks. The grand opening of this extraordinary establishment was celebrated on May 18 with a spectacular event featuring a live viewing of the Preakness Stakes, accompanied by live musical performances and special attractions.
Occupying the former premises of the Circuit Arcade Bar at 3117 W. Leigh Street, Parlay at Graybo’s seamlessly merges the ambiance of a sports bar with the intimacy of a card shop, interconnected by a charming breezeway embellished with a miniature putting green, augmenting the venue’s immersive and interactive essence.
The masterminds behind Parlay at Graybo’s bring a wealth of experience and fervor for the sports card domain:
– Duke Dodson, an avid card collector since the late 1980s, rekindled his ardor for card collecting in 2021, leveraging his extensive business and finance acumen to make a mark in Richmond’s real estate sphere.
– Gray Burnette, a history aficionado and former educator, ventured into this venture post his teaching career, seeking new horizons following the disruptions brought about by the pandemic.
– Ryan Fitz hails from a background in property management and technology, focusing on enhancing customer engagement and injecting a contemporary flair into the business operations.
Drawn by their nostalgic memories of card collecting in their youth and a vision to curate a space conducive for children and adults alike to revel in sports and collectibles, the trio transformed a modest sports card shop into a sprawling, multifaceted locale.
The revamped site features a substantial expansion, with the sports bar spanning across 3,300 square feet and the card shop blooming into a 2,200-square-foot haven. This growth foresees a substantial surge in foot traffic, capitalizing on its strategic placement in an entertainment-laden locale.
Parlay at Graybo’s offers a novel feature that enables patrons to engage in or spectate live card breaks from the bar, infusing a thrill akin to game days. The founders have fostered a tight-knit community of collectors through their eBay store, a weekly podcast, and online live breaks, ensuring sustained interaction with the collector fraternity both locally and in the virtual realm.
Ryan Fitz highlighted the vibrant and expanding collector base in the Richmond region, encompassing novices, aficionados, and investors alike, underscoring Parlay at Graybo’s as an inclusive space for all. The opportune acquisition of the property following the closure of the former venue, Circuit, facilitated Dodson in realizing this innovative venture.
This pioneering amalgamation of a sports bar intertwined with a card shop sets Parlay at Graybo’s apart as a trailblazer in the domain, promising a distinctive, electrifying ambiance that is set to captivate both sports aficionados and card collectors, bestowing upon them an unparalleled, immersive encounter.