Looking Back at 2022: Reflecting on Downtown Harrisonburg’s Milestones at Celebration & Reception

Downtown News

Looking Back at 2022: Reflecting on Downtown Harrisonburg’s Milestones at Celebration & Reception

January 3, 2023 by Andrea Dono

It’s been a few years since we had a chance to celebrate downtown milestones and the amazing partners and businesses who make our downtown the vibrant place we love so much. Join us as we recap our 2022 Celebration and Donor Reception event and take a look back at all that we have accomplished together in Downtown Harrisonburg. more

Losing the Haas House: How Many More Losses Will It Take to Break the Cycle?

March 17, 2022 by Andrea Dono

Like many of you, HDR learned about James Madison University’s demolition of its 1880 historic Haas home at 741 S. Main Street from the DNR article “JMU To Tear Down Historic South Main Street House.” We are deeply disappointed about this loss and believe it should have been approached differently but can’t help but feel like it’s time for our community to choose if we want to continue lamenting the loss of historic buildings or if we want to finally put local protections in place so this pattern can finally be broken. more

What’s Up with that Construction Zone Near the Farmers Market?

December 11, 2020 by Andrea Dono

For two months now, green fencing has blocked off an area near our LOVE sculpture and our new downtown sculpture is slowly taking shape. We wanted to update you on the progress. more

Regional COVID-19 Business Support Taskforce Formed

March 19, 2020 by Andrea Dono

March 19, 2020 [Harrisonburg, VA] -- Regional agencies and organizations have teamed up to coordinate support and resources for businesses in the Harrisonburg and Rockingham area. The Regional COVID-19 Business Support Taskforce started meeting weekly to brainstorm ideas, curate resources, share information, and unify their efforts as they address business and employer concerns. more

NewBridges Immigrant Resource Center Brings the Taste of the World to Downtown Harrisonburg

March 10, 2020 by Andrea Dono

NewBridges Immigrant Resource Center's annual Taste of the World celebration is coming back to Downtown Harrisonburg this year on Saturday, March 21st at First Presbyterian Church! Ahead of the festivities, we had a chat with NewBridges' Communications and Development Coordinator Abigail Bush-Wilder to learn more about this delicious fundraising event and how it supports the great work NewBridges does in our community. more

Winter Wine Weekend: A Chat With Bluestone Vineyard’s Lee Hartman

February 12, 2020 by Andrea Dono

Ahead of the upcoming Winter Wine Weekend at Hotel Madison February 21-23, we sat down with Bluestone Vineyard winemaker Lee Hartman to talk about his love for the process, why Virginia is the best place to make wine, and what he's most excited for at the Winter Wine Weekend (or, as he calls, it "a giant wine party")! more

Downtown Courts Expansion & The Historic Denton Building

December 18, 2019 by Andrea Dono

For several months, HDR has been working to separate fact from rumor in relation to the expansion of the court facilities downtown. Knowing that the Denton Building, which many recognize as the home of Larkin Arts, figures prominently into those rumors and that its demolition is likely if chosen as the expansion site, we have been very concerned. And, we are not alone in our concern; countless community members have asked us what is going on and what they can do. more

We’re Speaking the Language of Love

December 11, 2019 by Andrea Dono

(Pictured: an artist rendering of the future Language of Love sculpture) more

Just Love Coffee & Tea: Caffeine and a Mission

September 18, 2019 by Andrea Dono

Have you been missing the convenience of picking up some java on Court Square? Do you mourn the day Jeremiah Young served his last cup at Court Square Coffee at 2 N Main Street? If so, you are in luck — because this week marked a new beginning for Just Love Coffee and Tea in that much-loved space. more

Oprah Winfrey, Bono and Ten Thousand Villages

September 26, 2018 by Andrea Dono

How big of an impact can you have in helping people in need internationally by shopping and volunteering with a local Harrisonburg business? A lot. Just ask Carmen Miller, a sales associate with Ten Thousand Village – a fair trade nonprofit and retail boutique in the heart of Downtown Harrisonburg. more