You’ve probably noticed Pink Ambition Dance & Fitness on East Market Street — with its bright pink sign, blacked-out windows decorated with colorful class schedules, and door sign boasting “Women Only,” it’s hard to miss. But what you can’t see from the street is the heart and soul inside — a community full of women from all kinds of backgrounds, coming together to support, uplift, and love each other as they embark on their dance journey together. I recently sat down with Pink Ambition owner Karen McIntyre and instructor Anna Williford to talk pole fitness, overcoming fear and preconceived notions, what to expect from classes, and the power of the pole community. more
By Kyle Kirby — Chris Howdyshell unlocked the door to the Agora Downtown Market with a smile and a fresh beverage from Broad Porch Coffee. Though Agora is closed on Mondays, the inside was still bustling with entrepreneurs; prepping and cleaning their shops for tomorrow’s customers. more
Evolution is an essential part of every business’ daily life, and Glen’s Fair Price owners (and siblings), Gary Stiteler and Melinda Bare, are no strangers to this. Often referred to as “Harrisonburg’s Most Unusual Store” and “The Halloween Store,” this extraordinary shop offers the nostalgia many of us travel hundreds of miles to experience and relive. more
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