Larkin Arts is a little oasis located in the Southwest corner of Court Square. I walked in on a rainy, windy day; the soft music and comfy chairs couldn’t have felt better. I met with Valerie Smith, the welcoming owner of Larkin Arts store. Calling Larkin Arts a store is an understatement though. Offered there are classes for the public—inexperienced and experienced alike, studios for local artists to rent, and galleries for the public to enjoy. Valerie encourages people to wander in to the cozy gallery space during First Fridays downtown. more
It’s been only two short months since Food.Bar.Food opened their doors on Bruce Street, but it’s already changing the dining scene in downtown. This restaurant introduces an innovative culinary cuisine not yet seen in the ‘burg. The amazing flavors come together to create a menu described as “global comfort food.” more
The community has a new primary point of interface with James Madison University at the Ice House, an innovative redevelopment project in downtown Harrisonburg. more
On Sunday, May 18th, Mayor Ted Byrd, City Councilman Kai Degner, and members of the Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance's Board of Directors, committees and staff were aboard three planes that touched down in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit was the location of the 2014 National Main Streets Conference, where more than 1,300 people gathered to reflect on the Main Street movement that is transforming cities across the U.S. more
It was a hot and hazy September morning when Justine picked me up from the airport in Burbank. I had spent the last week attending the first annual Lockn’ Music Festival in Nelson County with friends from my days at JMU, and then visiting my little brother (a sophomore at JMU) in Harrisonburg. I remember looking at the San Gabriel Mountains as the plane descended and thinking that while they were certainly beautiful, they couldn’t quite hold a candle to the Blue Ridge Mountains I had just left. more
David Denman’s tragic death on March 26th was a tremendous loss to HDR, downtown, and as a very close friend and colleague, me personally. I wish to pay tribute to David’s life and remember his significant contribution. more
You probably know that Friendly City Food Co-op strives to bring local products from a variety of local growers, bakers and producers to downtown Harrisonburg. Their collaboration with local vendors means there are local items in every single aisle and every department of the co-op grocery store. more