New Rosie’s opens in Henrico despite controversy

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The new Roseshire Gaming Parlor opened in Henrico today, despite county leaders saying they would continue the year-long fight against it.

Customers lined up early on Monday, Sept. 29 to be the first visitors at the betting and entertainment facility known as Rosie's in Staples Mill Shopping Center. The company said it has 175 horse racing machines, live entertainment and real-time betting on horse races nationwide --- and hired nearly 100 new employees.

“Roseshire will be an upscale and welcoming entertainment and gaming parlor with exciting games, great entertainment, and top-tier food and beverage, including an innovative mocktail program we are launching just for Roseshire,” said Jeremy Callahan, general manager of Roseshire, in the release.

The road to opening day was riddled with controversy and pushback, and saw Governor Glenn Youngkin intervene.

Henrico leaders said Rosie's parent company, Churchill Downs Inc, filed the building permit just days before a new ordinance went into effect that would have required public input.

The push for a public vote ultimately failed when Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed a budget amendment that would have mandated such a vote.

On Sept. 15, the Virginia Racing Commission voted 5-0 to grant Rosie's its operating license, paving the way for opening day.

8News spoke with some of the first customers, who didn't have much sympathy for residents against the facility.

"Sorry," said Bernadette Burrell, who lined up with her mother before the doors opened at 8 a.m. "I'm a gambler. So wherever a casino is built, I'm gonna be there. But I feel like it gives opportunity for jobs and everything. I'm for it."

Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-Henrico), who has repeatedly voiced his frustrations about this development, said to 8News earlier this month, in part, "We will keep fighting on behalf of Henrico and keep pushing for transparency, public participation, and accountability. This fight is not over."