Some friends get together to drink a beer on the porch, go fishing in a nearby pond, play wiffle ball in the backyard, or grab a bite to eat — and some friends get together with 50 pounds of green coffee beans they’ve collectively purchased and try their hand at roasting coffee one pound at a time, because why not? This kind of ingenuity seems to be a hallmark of this town. So many fantastic ideas hatched at dusk in someone’s backyard while fireflies flash and kids with training wheels roll down the sidewalk. This was the case for cousins Darryl and Charles Matthews and their coworkers Emily and Larisa Martin, who now own Merge Coffee Company, on a typical Sunday night. After several weekly attempts at roasting, they refined their skills enough that their acquaintances were requesting bags of coffee for their own consumption. And for a year, these four friends sold their coffee online, roasting a small batch every Sunday in their garage and shipping orders every Monday. more
Show dad you care with delicious food, unforgettable gifts, and local love from Downtown Harrisonburg! We've assembled some inspiration for you — for our full directory of who's open, where you can eat inside or on the patio, and where you can get delivery or takeout, visit downtownharrisonburg.org/covid19. more
By Allison Geringer — Wiping a bead of sweat from his brow, Chance Ebersold finishes building his 10th table for Black Sheep Coffee shop. Using reclaimed wood from the furniture at his wedding reception, Ebersold builds his tables on a foundation of love. more
By Kaitlin Valenti — Any successful business has successful people standing behind it. Ask Matthew Clancey, executive chef and general manager of Clementine. Clancey takes deep pride in the restaurant’s employees and believes that the staff, a strong menu selection, interesting drinks, live music and a great atmosphere make Clementine unique and set it apart from other restaurants in Harrisonburg. And he should know. more
Don't let the pandemic put a damper on your Mother's Day plans! Downtown Harrisonburg is here for you and ready to safely supply gifts, flowers, and dinner for the special mothers in your life. more
By Kyle Kirby / Photos courtesy of Rocktown Kitchen: Since opening on May 17th, 2017, Rocktown Kitchen has quickly become a downtown Harrisonburg staple. Owners Kristo and Mira Papa have paid meticulous care in ensuring that their guests feel right at home. more
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
By David Tremain — Located inside Hotel Madison on the corner of Grace Street and Main Street, grace+main coffee shop welcomes JMU students and faculty and city residents to their morning cups of happiness. more
Brothers Craft Brewing hosts their seventh annual Resolute Weekend this weekend, November 8-10—and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever! Supported in part by HDR’s Destination Downtown Grant, #TapintoResolute Weekend will be jam-packed with unique opportunities to shop till you drop, knock back a few brews, and celebrate well into the night with live music and entertainment. In fact, Brothers Craft Brewing has partnered with 30+ downtown businesses to offer exclusive discounts and promotions for Resolute Guide holders. more