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
If you have ever walked from Turner Pavilion to Court Square you have probably used the alleyway between Finnegan's Cove and Beyond. This is a main gateway to downtown from the heavily used Water Street parking deck. more
You'll already be downtown for Friendly City Fourth — don't let the fun stop there! Plenty of downtown businesses will also be open on the 4th of July. So when it's time to get out of the sun, head downtown and shop or dine at one of your favorite establishments: 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
