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Independent student newspaper of Washington and Lee University

The Ring-tum Phi

Independent student newspaper of Washington and Lee University

The Ring-tum Phi

Independent student newspaper of Washington and Lee University

The Ring-tum Phi

Pronto employee makes drinks at Pronto Café & Gelateria in downtown Lexington.

Local cafés raise prices as global coffee bean costs increase

Shops such as Pronto are seeing the effects of global climate change in their budgets and on their menus
Emily Scaff
February 3, 2025
Abundant Life Kitchen owner, Kate Hender, tabled at the Taste of Lexington event to introduce students to her vegan and gluten-free business.

Taste of Lexington promotes environmental awareness

The SEAL event connected students to several local businesses that prioritize sustainable practices
Amelia Lanier, General Assignment Staff Writer
January 20, 2025
Christmas wreaths decorate downtown Lexington at the corner of Main Street and Washington Street. Local business owners say students should make more of an effort to shop downtown during the holiday season.

Retail therapy in Lexington? Not for W&L students

W&L students don’t normally holiday shop downtown, according to Lexington business owners. Regardless, holiday deals are in full swing, and local residents are taking advantage
Joshua Davidson, Local Staff Writer
December 9, 2024
Woman-owned businesses dominate the downtown storefronts. The city has a significantly higher percentage of woman-owned businesses than the rest of the nation.

Woman-owned businesses dominate downtown

Over the last decade, women-owned shops and restaurants have increased from 56% to 80% of the city’s businesses
Kate Keeley
November 18, 2024
Some hotels and restaurants filled up over Parents Weekend, while others barely saw any impact.

Lexington businesses see mixed impacts from Parents Weekend

Not all small business owners saw a large increase in customers during one of Lexington’s busiest weekends
Joshua Davidson
October 21, 2024
Taqueria Jalisco opened next to Cook Out in June.

Businesses settle into new locations in Lexington

County officials say events at W&L and VMI, along with traffic from the interstates, are likely attracting chain businesses to the area
Kate Keeley
October 7, 2024
Students support Campus Kitchen by buying breakfast at Season’s Yield.

Students organizations turn to local businesses for fundraising

With the right partnerships, buying coffee can become a way to support Campus Kitchen
Erika Kengni
February 5, 2024
Consignment store joins Lexington’s fashion scene

Consignment store joins Lexington’s fashion scene

Curator Sheila Glaeser talks fashion, sustainability and community after six months of operation
Catherine McKean
November 6, 2023
A closed sign hanging in the glass of a red door.

Lex Bowls bids farewell, for now

The beloved local açaí business closed its doors on April 26 due to a lease issue
Christian Basnight, Staff Writer
May 8, 2023
Table set with three pieces of adorned toast in the middle, a morning bun on one side and a croissant on the other. Utensils and a coffee cup also frame the food.

Seasons’ Yield expands into Lexington 

“Bread Day” family brings new café to downtown’s Main Street
Catherine McKean, Arts & Life Editor
October 26, 2022
Owner Trevor Stores was born and raised in Lexington. Though this is his first time owning a business, he brings years of bartending experience to the venture. Photo by Jess Kishbaugh, ’24.

SkyBar brings a new aesthetic to Lexington

SkyBar, a speakeasy-style bar in the basement of Blue Sky, opened to the public Feb. 18.
Shauna Muckle
March 15, 2022
A sign outside of Napa Thai advertises that the restaurant is hiring. Photo by Shauna Muckle, '24.

Labor shortages and supply-chain disruptions hit Lexington businesses

Several downtown shops said they are dealing with a lack of workers and shipment delays, a byproduct of the pandemic-era economy’s slow recovery
Luke Fountain
November 23, 2021
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