The former Sam Miller’s space at 1210 E. Cary St. in Shockoe Slip has a new tenant. Aya, a small, chef-driven restaurant from Manny Baiden, founder of the Richmond private dining company Manny Eats, is aiming to open in early 2027 or next spring. For anyone living in or shopping for a home in the Slip, it means one of the block’s best-known storefronts, empty since summer 2025, is back in play after an earlier deal with a sports bar fell through.
Richmond BizSense reporter Mike Platania reported the lease on November 5, 2026. What follows is our summary of his story, then what it means for the surrounding City of Richmond neighborhoods.
A private chef moves into a storefront
Baiden started Manny Eats nearly eight years ago, cooking private dinners in clients’ homes and catering weddings and corporate events. BizSense reports that Aya will serve food in a similar spirit, rooted in his upbringing in Ghana and drawing on cooking from across the African diaspora, including the Caribbean. The name, Baiden told BizSense, is a Ghanaian symbol for resilience.
The space is about 6,100 square feet. Baiden plans to keep its existing split between a main dining room with a bar and a separate private dining room. The bar becomes a chef’s counter with about a dozen seats, plus roughly 16 more seats in the dining room, per BizSense. Studio Tarea and Future Cities are handling design, and Manny Eats will keep operating alongside the restaurant.
East Cary Street is turning over
Aya is not the only change on this stretch. BizSense notes that Cicada’s recently opened a block away at 1316 E. Cary St., in the former City Dogs space. We have also followed other changes in the area, including the sale of the Turning Basin building in Shockoe Slip and the Loving’s Produce rezoning plan in Shockoe Bottom.
What it means if you live in or are buying in the Slip
In a compact downtown district like Shockoe Slip, a long-vacant storefront getting a committed tenant is a practical plus for the people who live nearby. A few points to keep in mind:
Expect renovation work first. Baiden is still designing and renovating, so the space will be a work site for several months before it opens. If you are touring a home on or near the 1200 block of East Cary, ask about construction timing, and look up permits and zoning through the city’s Planning and Development Review department.
If you are buying a condo in a mixed-use building, read the documents. Ground-floor commercial space can affect association finances, insurance and, in some cases, financing. Our guides to non-warrantable condos and condo rental caps explain what to look for.
Check the building record. The city’s Assessor of Real Estate offers a free property search for owner, assessment and parcel details on any address you are considering.
If the Slip is on your list, compare it with nearby Shockoe Bottom, Church Hill and Monroe Ward, each with its own mix of housing and price points. Our buyer guide lays out the steps, and our preferred lenders page lists lenders we work with.
Thinking about living downtown?
See what is for sale in Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom and nearby neighborhoods, and compare listings on your own time.
For more local openings and development news, visit our Richmond area news page.
Aya in Shockoe Slip: what people are asking
Where is Aya opening?
At 1210 E. Cary St. in Shockoe Slip, the former Sam Miller’s space, according to BizSense.
When will Aya open?
Baiden told BizSense he is aiming for early 2027 or next spring. Restaurant opening dates often shift, so treat that as a target.
What kind of food will Aya serve?
BizSense says the menu will follow Manny Eats, with West African roots from Baiden’s upbringing in Ghana and influences from across the African diaspora.
How many seats will it have?
About a dozen at a chef’s counter plus roughly 16 in the dining room, along with a separate private dining room, per BizSense.
What happened to the sports bar that was supposed to open there?
BizSense reports that a sports bar signed on after Sam Miller’s closed, but that deal fell through before Baiden leased the space this year.
Will Manny Eats keep doing private dinners?
Yes. Baiden told BizSense that Manny Eats will keep operating after Aya opens.
How can I check a Shockoe Slip property before buying?
Use the City of Richmond Assessor’s property search for parcel and assessment details, and ask the seller or association for any recent building permits or notices.
