Richmond Council Approved Vicky Hester Way Designation

The honorary street naming celebrates the late owner of Babe's of Carytown.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Isometric editorial illustration of a blank street sign post against stylized geometric brick buildings, representing a municipal street designation. — The Richmond City Council has approved the honorary designation of the 00 block of South Auburn Avenue as Vicky Hester Way to honor the late owner of Babe's of Carytown. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Richmond City Council has approved an honorary street designation for the 00 block of South Auburn Avenue, renaming it Vicky Hester Way. This move honors the late Vicky Hester, who served the local LGBTQ+ community for 47 years as the owner of Babe's of Carytown.

Why it matters

The honorary naming recognizes Hester's decades of work in establishing a community cornerstone and sanctuary within the Carytown neighborhood. This gesture highlights the city's commitment to preserving the legacies of figures who significantly shaped local culture and identity.

City officials estimate that the physical installation of signs on South Auburn Avenue will cost $800. This honorary designation applies to the block between West Cary Street and Ellwood Avenue and will not impact existing property records or mailing addresses.

The players

Richmond City Council

This is the primary legislative body for the city of Richmond, responsible for local ordinances and public infrastructure designations.

Vicky Hester

She was a long-time business owner in Richmond who operated Babe's of Carytown for 47 years.

Department of Public Works

This city agency manages infrastructure maintenance, including the installation of signage on municipal roads.

The details

Vicky Hester operated her business in the Carytown neighborhood for 47 years before her death in September 2025 at age 71. The Department of Public Works is tasked with installing the commemorative signage at each end of the block to reflect the new honorary status.

Vicky Hester died in September 2025 at age 71.
Richmond City Council approved the street designation on September 22, 2026.

Market Landscape

The approval of Vicky Hester Way follows the procedural requirements established by the city's honorary street naming ordinance. This action formalizes the city's capacity to recognize individuals who have made long-standing contributions to the local business and cultural climate.

Residents and business owners on the 00 block of South Auburn Avenue will not need to change their mailing addresses or update property records. The change is strictly honorary and will not affect daily logistics or residential mail delivery in the area.

The takeaway

This honorary designation serves as a permanent public recognition of a local business icon who anchored the Carytown area for nearly half a century. Residents can look to this as a clear example of how the city uses municipal infrastructure to honor community leaders.