Win $1,200 Worth of Gifts from Downtown Harrisonburg Merchants

With shoppers experiencing tighter budgets this holiday season, the Merchants of Historic Downtown Harrisonburg are giving back – with a grand prize of $1,200 worth of gifts.

Downtown visitors are invited to enter the Window Wonderland Giveaway, sponsored by Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance.  Prizes are currently on display at 124 South Main Street (the former Lä Dē Dä space across from Dave’s Downtown Taverna).  To win the entire window of gifts, visit at least half of the showcased businesses and find out the exact value of the donated item.  Record the values on an entry form, available at the decorated storefront, the Hardesty Higgins-House, and various downtown businesses.

“Not only does this highlight our downtown businesses in a prominent, beautiful showcase on Main Street, but it also encourages shoppers to go into those businesses that they’ve always heard about, but never got around to visiting”, says promotions manager Alexis Morehouse, “We’re really hoping to see a continuing trend of buying local this year as shoppers choose where to purchase their holiday gifts”.

Some items include:

• a wine-of-the-month club membership,
• a full spa package,
• home décor items,
• a ukulele,
• toys for tots,
• restaurant gift certificates

Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance will collect all entries at the Hardesty-Higgins House (212 South Main Street) through December 14^th and will announce a winner on Monday, December 15^th.

More details are available by calling 540.432.8922 or visiting www.downtownharrisonburg.org.

Impress Your Inlaws This Holiday: Joshua Wilton House Begins Back Door Bakery Services

The Joshua Wilton House comes to the rescue this holiday season with their new “Back Door Bakery”. The restaurant will be offering a number of items that can be pre-ordered and made by their Pastry Chef Shawn Richard. Cakes, pies, cookies, breads – you name it - all freshly baked and ready for your holiday enjoyment. Call the JWH for more information and a list of offerings: 540.434.4464.

I’ve been the the Wilton House on a number of occasions JUST for dessert.  Shawn Richard is a genius with sugar and its related delights (just check out that chocolate cake below).  ~Lisa N. Ha

Dave’s Downtown Taverna To Serve One-Millionth Customer

Fourteen years ago, Dave’s Taverna opened in downtown Harrisonburg. Since then, the popular restaurant purchased and renovated a larger building in 2002 to accommodate its growing business.  After their move, they continued expansion in 2006 to their rooftop with the taratsa where customers can enjoy a full menu and bar under the stars.  Now named Dave’s Downtown Taverna, the restaurant is credited with starting the momentum for the downtown revitalization trend.  The restaurant, keeping a tally of all of their customers from day one, is now expecting to serve their one-millionth customer in the coming week.

Owners, David and Julie Miller started in the kitchen and personally cooked and waited on many of these nearly one million diners. “We’ve seen lots of faces at Dave’s,” says Dave Miller, “students, families, downtown workers, tourists – every kind of customer.” Over the years Dave’s has built a loyal following with its distinctive Greek-style menu and lively atmosphere. Now the business, 100 employees strong is a local institution.

Eddie Bumbaugh, executive director of Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance says, “I’m old enough to remember when McDonald’s announced its one-millionth customer, and they had locations all over the country. So for a restaurant in downtown Harrisonburg to reach that number is very impressive.”

In addition to presenting the one-millionth customer with a $500 gift certificate to Dave’s Downtown Taverna, the Millers plan to alert local media and throw a celebration. It’s expected to happen sometime within the next 10 days.