After 18 years in the Burg, there’s a lot we’ve come to love about Shenandoah Bicycle Company: the well-apportioned showroom filled with neat rows of bikes and accessories, the upbeat and helpful staff who will answer any question, keep you informed of local cycling events, or simply engage in a friendly conversation, and the fast and competent service for whatever’s ailing your bike. We’ve also come to love the simple fact that they’re still there, one of just a few businesses who have weathered two decades of changes to our ever-growing downtown. Co-owners Tim Richardson and Thomas Jenkins opened SBC in 2000, after working in a bike shop together in the early nineties. more
With Mother’s Day coming up on Sunday, it’s time to start planning how you’ll spend the day with your mother, stepmother, grandmother, or your mother figure. Because let’s be honest, your mom does a LOT. Luckily, downtown Harrisonburg is filled with independent retailers and restaurants that are guaranteed to offer your mom the perfect experience on Sunday. more
As this is National Small Business Week, it’s only fitting that downtown businesses should be rewarded for their hard work. We at HDR are thrilled to celebrate by making $36,700 in grant awards to local businesses along with four of our economic development partners. more
It’s been over a year since Agora Downtown Market opened downtown. Business owners love the shared space, customer sharing, and working with the other entrepreneurs in the space. But, what’s more interesting is their unique stories and what brought them to Agora. For some, Agora is their second location. For others, Agora presented a great opportunity for two JMU grads to start up their dream business. more
Agora Downtown Market is a funky, indoor marketplace that brings 11 businesses under one roof to offer a unique shopping experience. What’s even more interesting is the collaboration that’s happening inside. Business owners appreciate being able to brainstorm creative product and marketing ideas with each other while working together to promote the space. Here's a glimpse of three businesses inside Agora that frequently share ideas and inspiration. more
Not even one year old yet and Agora Downtown Market is already making its mark on downtown Harrisonburg. This open, indoor marketplace has cool vibes that is attracting locals, tourists, and students. Since opening in June 2017, Agora has expanded to include 11 businesses that range from clothing to coffee to candy and more - each business with its own story to tell. This blog is the first in a series that highlights the Isle Co and Create Downtown. more
It's about that time of year...when most people have forgotten their New Year's resolutions that they so desperately wanted to stick to. In fact, according to Business Insider, 80% of people who made a resolution will fail by the second week of February. more
Last Thursday, a cool show popped up in downtown Harrisonburg that united music lovers, beer drinkers, and concert goers alike. Sofar Sounds, a music organization reaching 376 cities across the globe, made its third appearance in the “friendly city.” A group of JMU Marketing and Music Industry students brought Sofar to Harrisonburg last March. The JMU seniors handle all of the logistics, including booking the artists, selecting the venues, promoting the shows, and hiring and managing a production team of photographers, videographers, and audio/sound engineers. more
Many of you know Ron Copeland from way back, when he was that scrawny bearded hippie guy that ran The Little Grill (Harrisonburg’s oldest existing restaurant) from the years 1992 - 2003 – a young man with a wild vision of serving a free meal to “Anyone in the World.” Ron’s “Free Food For All” Monday soup kitchen was a fixture in the Harrisonburg community for a long time. more
Last week at our annual Celebration & Reception, we threw a party for all of the downtown rockstars. more