Slowdef focuses on modern RVA.

As a locally-owned small business itself, Mongrel is proud to support local vendors who are making great stuff. Mongrel carries a variety of cards and gifts that are produced right here in Richmond.

Slowdef is the one-man studio founded by artist and designer Mike Doherty. Slowdef's first offering came to Mongrel in the form of Richmond postcards. These cards aim to help tell Richmond's story in a new way.

"Too often everything associated with Richmond is all linked back to the Civil War and all of the statues that go along with it. While it's importance in history in undeniable, I don't think that a postcard of Robert E. Lee's statue on Monument Avenue comes close to telling the story of what is going on in Richmond right now." ~ Mike Doherty / Founder of Slowdef

Slowdef's latest line of notecards focuses on the individual streets that make up Richmond. While the signs themselves are rigid and rather uniform, the streets that they represent are anything but. The wide array of colors reflect the unique character of the streets and just how different each one is from the next. The cards make great personal stationery for anyone and are also popular gifts.

All of Slowdef's cards are printed slowly on fine archival matte paper, giving them vibrant bold color and a very fine look and feel. Up to par with fine art prints, these cards beg to be framed.

Meet the makers

From the time we first opened our doors 21 years ago, Mongrel has offered locally-made cards and gifts, and we continue to support the makers among us. In this section, from time to time, we will feature some of our locally-sourced items and their creators.

Right: True Richmond Stories is a book written by beloved local writer and character, Harry "The Hat" Kollatz, Jr.