North End Returns: A Richmond Favorite Begins a New Chapter on Cleveland Street
Patrick and Stephanie Murtaugh bring fresh energy, creativity, and hospitality to the beloved neighborhood staple.
Richmond, VA — Wednesday, June 17, 2026 — A longtime Richmond favorite is coming back with new ownership, renewed energy, and a continued focus on community.
Patrick Murtaugh — longtime brewer and co-founder of Hardywood Park Craft Brewery — and his wife Stephanie Murtaugh, a hospitality and event professional, have acquired the former. in Richmond’s Museum District.
The refreshed concept, now simply called North End, will reopen in June with walk-up service, online ordering, and call-ahead pickup, with a sit-in space coming later this summer.
For Patrick, the move marks a return to hands-on creativity and recipe-making — just in a different form.
“Pat’s always creating,” Stephanie said. “Whether it’s brewing beer, making sourdough at home, custom syrups, experimenting with recipes, or thinking through flavors, that creative drive has always been there. This feels like a new chapter of that — creating something everyday, approachable, and community-focused.”
The couple says North End will focus on simple, filling, nutrient-dense smoothies and grab-and-go staples designed for busy lifestyles — whether it’s a quick breakfast before work, a post-match smoothie, or a stop after a bike ride through one of Richmond’s favorite neighborhoods.
The menu will remain intentionally streamlined, with nods to longtime favorites customers have missed — including the return of the beloved Blue Suede Shoes smoothie — alongside a handful of new staples, wellness-forward offerings, breakfast burritos, and even a “draft” beverage that feels like a natural evolution for Patrick’s background.
The couple is also partnering with Richmond chef Jason Alley to help shape a menu centered around quality ingredients, comfort, and consistency.
“We’ve loved the outpouring of support from people sharing what North End meant to them,” Patrick said. “Notes under the door, stories from regulars, memories tied to this place — we felt that too. We wanted to bring it back in a way that honors what people loved while creating something our own family would want to visit every week.”
North End also holds personal significance for the Murtaughs, who previously lived nearby and were longtime customers themselves.
“Our kids have been chasing down Pat’s smoothies for years at home,” Stephanie added. “Opening a smoothie shop may seem unexpected coming from beer, but moving into something everyone can enjoy — and something our kids can grow up around and love too — felt incredibly aligned with where we are in life.”
Located on Cleveland Street in the Museum District, the owners say they’re honored to join a stretch of neighborhood businesses they love, including Paix Coffee and Rexxco Vintage.
Community involvement will remain a major focus of the business, with plans to support wellness initiatives and healthy food access efforts across Richmond schools and underserved communities.
Opening hours will be 8 am - 3 pm Open Thursday-Monday.
Order ahead will be coming very soon.