RICHMOND, Va. — Jeffrey Allums, a longtime Richmond restaurant owner whose warmth and generosity touched countless lives throughout Central Virginia, died Feb. 9 at the hospital after a four-month battle with infection. He was 58.
Allums, who managed Baja Bean Co. locations in Charlottesville and Richmond for decades, was known for treating customers like family and never meeting a stranger. His death has prompted an outpouring of memories customers, employees and community members who say he created gathering places that felt like home.
“He genuinely cared about people,” said his wife, Elizabeth “Liz” Payne Allums. “You felt like family when you were there. He was never about formality or putting on airs.”…