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SJ 381

Commending Sally Bell's Kitchen.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Lamont Bagby and 4 co-sponsors

Virginia General Assembly commends Sally Bell's Kitchen on its 100th anniversary, a symbolic statewide acknowledgment of its historic, family-owned service to Richmond.

Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ381ER)
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Bill Summary · SJ 381

Summary: Senate Joint Resolution No. 381 (SJ381ER) – Commending Sally Bell's Kitchen

Quick Facts

  • Bill: SJ381ER (SJ381 as enrolled)
  • Title: Commending Sally Bell's Kitchen
  • Type: Senate Joint Resolution (concurrent resolution recognizing a historic business)
  • Introduced: February 13, 2025
  • Status: Enrolled; agreed to by Senate (Feb 19, 2025) and House (Feb 20, 2025); bill text as passed SJ381ER
  • Sponsors/Patrons: Patron — Senator Bagby; Delegates — Carr, Cousins, Jones, McQuinn
  • Enrolled date: February 21, 2025
  • Purpose: Official commendation by the General Assembly of Sally Bell’s Kitchen on the occasion of its 100th anniversary

Purpose and Intent

  • The resolution expresses the General Assembly’s admiration and recognition of Sally Bell’s Kitchen, a longstanding family-owned eatery in Richmond, for 100 years of service to the community.
  • It commemorates the restaurant’s enduring role in Richmond’s cultural and culinary landscape and its status as a landmark in the city.

Background and Significance

  • Sally Bell’s Kitchen has operated since 1924, originally founded as Sarah Lee’s Kitchen by Sally Cabell Jones and Elizabeth Milton.
  • The restaurant became well known for its iconic lunch boxes and home-style southern fare.
  • In 1959, the business rebranded to Sally Bell’s Kitchen; the restaurant moved in 2014 from Grace Street to West Broad Street, across from the Science Museum of Virginia.
  • The establishment has a long tradition of loyalty and multi-generational customer relationships and is tied to Richmond’s local history.
  • Notably, Sally Bell’s Kitchen was the first restaurant in Virginia to receive the James Beard Foundation American Classic Award.

Key Provisions

  • The General Assembly “hereby commends” Sally Bell’s Kitchen on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.
  • The resolution directs the Clerk of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for presentation to Sally Bell’s Kitchen.
  • It serves as a formal, symbolic acknowledgement of the restaurant’s history, community impact, and legacy as a family-owned business.

Who Is Affected

  • Sally Bell’s Kitchen and its leadership, staff, and patrons.
  • The Commonwealth of Virginia and its legislative records, via this public recognition.
  • The Clerk of the Senate (as the resolution requires the preparation of a commemorative copy).

Procedural Timeline

  • Introduced: February 13, 2025
  • Senate Engrossed and Agreed: February 19, 2025
  • House Agreed: February 20, 2025 (voice vote)
  • Enrolled as SJ381ER: February 21, 2025

Impact and Implications

  • This is a symbolic, ceremonial measure with no fiscal impact or policy changes.
  • It can be used by Sally Bell’s Kitchen for prestige, historical documentation, and marketing leverage highlighting a century of community service.
  • The resolution documents a moment of statewide recognition for a locally iconic, family-owned business with deep community ties.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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