By JOHN REID BLACKWELL Richmond Times-Dispatch Kevin Liu, co-owner of The Jasper and Carytown Cupcake, talks about how the pandemic has affected the restaurant business in Richmond, Va., and why he supports raising the minimum wage. Video by Alexa Welch Edlund/Times-Dispatch Some Virginians will be getting a pay raise, thanks to an increase to the stateâs mandatory hourly minimum wage. Starting Saturday, the minimum wage goes from $7.25 per hour to $9.50 per hour â a 31% increase. Itâs the first of three scheduled increases that will raise minimum pay for most non-farm jobs in Virginia to $12 per hour by 2023. And the rate is slated to go even higher â to $15 an hour â if the General Assembly approves.