By Graham Schiltz — When Blue Nile closed in October 2014, downtown Harrisonburg lost more than the only Ethiopian dining option in a 50-mile radius. The restaurant’s basement hosted local music of every genre, from experimental noise to hip-hip to death metal. It was one of Harrisonburg’s only music venues, and it gave musicians a chance to perform and connect with each other. 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 wife, Angela, and toddler, Eve, 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 James’ spouse, 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
We were thrilled to get a sneak peek of Massanutten Regional Library's upcoming StoryWalk project last week! Made possible by a Destination Downtown grant from HDR, StoryWalk is an interactive, kid-friendly, fun, and free new way to explore Downtown Harrisonburg— while also enjoying a diverse selection of childrens' stories with messages and lessons that you'll feel good sharing with your family. more
The community has a new primary point of interface with James Madison University at the Ice House, an innovative redevelopment project in downtown Harrisonburg. more