Sometimes home is not a house or where we were born; instead, it becomes a place we create far from what was once familiar to us. In November of 2005, James Carter, along with his then wife, Angela, and toddler, Atlas, left his birthplace in the World Heritage Site and historical city of Bath, England, to create a home in the Shenandoah Valley. After visiting the area in years prior, the couple agreed that The Friendly City was a place they could build a life together. With only ten boxes of belongings, no housing, no transportation or solid job offers, James Carter took a risk which would ultimately result in him achieving The American Dream. Prior to moving to Harrisonburg, VA, the Carters initiated an online business for the sole purpose of funding their overseas move. The business, Parentbaby.com, sold pregnancy and baby products — the same products Angela, purchased during her pregnancy while visiting her home of southern Virginia. These products were not easily found in the UK, and was James’ first instance in discovering his love for entrepreneurship and online marketing. This venture was the beginning of Carter’s passion for marketing, and would eventually lead to him opening his own full-service downtown Harrisonburg marketing agency, Digital Minerva. more
There are so many great restaurants in Downtown Harrisonburg, it can be overwhelming trying to visit them all! Wouldn't it be great to spend a beautiful afternoon walking through Downtown, learning some Harrisonburg history, and checking a bunch of food spots off your culinary checklist? With the Rocktown Bites Downtown Food Tours, brought to us by Hotel Madison, you can do just that. With tickets at just $49, this three-hour-long walking tour chock full of scenery, history, and generous food samplings will definitely NOT leave you hungry for more. more
St. Patrick's Day is wildly fun in downtown Harrisonburg, where all the businesses chip in with something special to make this holiday stand out. Whether it's a featured food item at a local restaurant or a one-of-a-kind activity for the occasion, this year's St. Patrick's Day is sure to be the best you've ever celebrated. more
These local businesses and people are the backbone of the downtown Harrisonburg community. Read about their contributions to our city and why they received this well-deserved recognition at this year's Celebration & Reception. more
Bring in the new year with these exceptional yoga and massage spots that will relax your body and energize your mind. more
2019 is a big year for Food.Bar.Food. Check out what's coming up for this award-winning restaurant. more
As Thanksgiving approaches tomorrow, shoppers everywhere are gearing up for one of the largest shopping weekends of the year. We know you can't help but browse the Black Friday deals, but we encourage you to shop on Small Business Saturday. This day is particularly important for downtown and you can feel good about your purchases knowing that you’re making a difference by supporting the little guys. It's also about the experience! Don't settle for long lines and chaos at the big box stores. more
First Fridays more