Halloween Window Decoration Contest Winners

Downtown merchants decorated walls and windows with goblins, pumpkins and spider webs in preparation for Halloween on the Square.  The regular holiday window contests in downtown Harrisonburg not only add to the festive events, but also help attract customers to the local businesses.

HDR encourages business owners to update their decorations regularly, keep their windows well-lit and participate in seasonal contests such as this one. Bright and exciting windows are a great way to draw attention to a business.

A volunteer panel of judges walked through the historic district Friday afternoon to rate each window and they named the following winners:

1^st Place: Blue Ridge Florist

2^nd Place: Wonder

3^rd Place: Laughing Dog

Runners Up: Granny Longlegs, Ragtime Fabrics

Favorite Interactive Window (special last-minute category): Water Street Cafe

“The atmosphere with all of the decorated windows definitely kicks off the festivities for the Halloween weekend” said judge, Erica Kann.  Parents and trick-or-treaters are invited downtown on Halloween to see all decorated windows and trick-or-treat from 10am to 2pm.

Halloween event details available at 540-432-8935 or www.DowntownHarrisonburg.org.

FC2 Downtown Grocery Store Announces Site Location and Primary Financing

Friendly City Food Co-Op just sent an email to its members announcing a location for the downtown grocery store and that primary financing has been secured. Read the entire message and see a photo of the future site below:

HDR, City Give $16K to Beautify Downtown

he sixth year of the Downtown Façade Enhancement Grants will benefit twelve businesses.  Thanks to a collaborative effort between the City of Harrisonburg’s Department of Economic Development and the Economic Development Committee of Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, these façade enhancement projects will improve the appearance of downtown as well as the value of the businesses and buildings in the district.

“These grant awards encourage significant private investment and create a domino effect in property improvement downtown,” says Eddie Bumbaugh, Executive Director of Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance.  Recipients of the 2009 Façade Enhancement Grants include:

Local Chop and Grill House – $1,500

AC Studio Suites – $2,500

Asbury United Methodist Church – $500

Wetsel Complex, LLC     – $5,000

Virginia Quilt Museum – $400

The Yellow Button – $500

OASIS Art Gallery – $750

On the Turtle’s Back, LLC – $750

Granny Longlegs – $500

Franklin’s Café – $1500

Cat’s Cradle – $200

Arts Council of the Valley – $2000

Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2009 Façade Enhancement Grants. Twelve businesses, organizations and property owners will receive awards totaling $16,000 for exterior paint, signs, awnings and other beautification projects. These façade enhancement projects will improve the appearance of downtown as well as the value of the businesses and buildings in the district.

Now in its sixth year, the Façade Enhancement Grants are made possible through a collaborative effort between the City of Harrisonburg and Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance. As a member-supported non-profit organization, HDR is grateful to our donors for making this program possible. Past grant awards have been used to enhance or renovate the exterior of buildings containing businesses such as Clementine, You Made It!, Blue Nile Ethiopian Cuisine and Cally’s Restaurant & Brewing Co.

Experience Halloween Downtown This Saturday!

The 6th annual Halloween on the Square sponsored by Hess Orthopaedics welcomes families downtown for a day of friendly fun this Saturday, October 31 from 10am to 2pm. Wander down Main Street on a crisp autumn day with your little goblins when downtown merchants open their doors to trick-or-treaters and Court Square is filled with fun activities!

Schedule of Events (all events free unless otherwise noted):

Punkermelon: The Pup to Beat in this Year’s Downtown Dog Costume Contest

Posted by Lisa N. Ha

I admit that living with him requires commitment. It’s a daily battle of wills, and one I don’t often win. He’s an unrepentant sloth who has no discernible hobbies outside of eating and watching the squirrels in the backyard, bathes maybe four or five times a year — and then only reluctantly — and whose idea of affection is for me to scratch his belly.

And yet, each October he emerges from his slovenly bed (where happily spends 12 hours a day or more) and takes his place among the pantheon of greats. He’s worn the wings of a decorated bomber pilot, brought home Olympic gold for his country, and championed personal fiscal responsibility years before the financial meltdown. He even has his own fan page. By the time he turns six next year, there will be no stopping him.

Make no mistake: my dog Punkermelon is the pup to beat at this year’s Digico Howl-o-ween Dog Costume Contest, to be held Saturday, Oct. 31 at 2pm on Court Square.

Civil War Orientation Center Opens in Hardesty-Higgins House

Civil War Orientation Center

Last month on September 25 the Civil War Orientation Center opened after an impressive ceremony and ribbon cutting at the Hardesty-Higgins House Visitor Center.

Perhaps surprisingly to some, Harrisonburg and Rockingham County is a treasure trove of Civil War history. A number of significant battles and events occurred within our borders, and many are memorialized with historical markers, trails, museums, living history events, and even battle re-creations. The Orientation Center is ground zero for visitors and residents wishing to explore the Valley’s role in the War Between the States. Begin by watching the documentary that’s screened for free in the center, spend some time reading the museum panels lining the walls, and finally, pick up some of the free brochures — your personal road map to the Civil War bounty awaiting your discovery.

What’s in Store for Downtown Harrisonburg?

What new businesses will open in 2010?

Any word on when the sidewalks will be completed?

How much did private developers invest in downtown this year?

Hey, can I have some of those stuffed mushrooms?

All these questions, plus more will be answered at Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance’s annual Celebration & Reception — and you’re invited. Please join us Monday, October 26 from 5 to 7pm at Cally’s Restaurant & Brewing Co. We’ll toast another year of downtown success, enjoy refreshments and a cash bar, and hear exciting plans for the future. No RSVP required.

Also, if you sign up or renew your HDR membership during the event, you can enter to win one of many great doorprizes donated by downtown businesses!

Review of Arepera Las Chamas Caribbean Restaurant

Posted by Jamie Shaver Marsh

Arepera Las Chamas is a welcome addition to the downtown dining scene: a low-key, low-price spot with tasty South American dishes that are distinct among H’burg flavors but not so adventurous they will frighten picky eaters.

I met two girlfriends for lunch today. There is ample parking next to the building—a definite (and unexpected) plus! The interior is simple and clean, with a combination of wall colors in cranberry, creamy yellow, and textured tan that looked sort of like stucco. They had several large photo montages on the wall featuring exotic-looking plants, waterfalls, and South American cityscapes. There is a lunch counter with wooden stools and about 10 small tables. They can probably seat ~30 people comfortably. Each table has an old-fashioned napkin dispenser with retro Coca-Cola ads (the kind of dispenser naughty boys put salt in back in second grade).

It’s Poe Month at MRL, and Everything’s Free!

Did you know that Edgar Allan Poe died mysteriously 160 years ago today?

The importance of his work still lingers and he remains extremely popular today – as evidenced by the thousands of free copies of Poe’s work that Massanutten Regional Library has distributed since Big Read kick-off last week. Although all Poe books have been distributed at Main Branch, a few copies are available at their other branch locations (you may want to call ahead first).

Join the library for these remaining FREE events, including lectures with drinks and dessert, a classic horror film viewing, teen POEtry slam with pizza and candlelight tour, and more. All events take place at the Main branch downtown unless otherwise noted.

HDR Co-sponsors Fall Business Development Workship

New economy. New customer. New business.

Join retail consultant Marc Willson for an interactive workshop covering topics such as:

• Changing customer buying habits
• Effective merchandising and on-premise signage, windows and storefronts
• Customer service and effective salesmanship
• Dealing with vendors, lenders and landlords
• Marketing and promotions
• Website and social networking
• Resources, retail and restaurant check-ups

Plus individual consultations with Marc, available by appointment.

Registration discounts for members of Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance or the H-R Chamber of Commerce!