New Culpeper store!

After a season of pondering whether or not, if, or where to open a new retail store, we came upon what we consider the perfect solution.  Beautiful, historic Davis Street in Culpeper.  Our new shop is ready!

Davis Street is consistently named as one of America's top ten "Main Streets" and Culpeper itself is known as one of America's top ten small towns.  If you've not visited at all, or if you haven't been there for years (as we hadn't), you will be amazed at the quality of life enjoyed here, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains and only 80 minutes from Georgetown/Arlington!

We were bowled over, first by the pretty "Main Street" look maintained in the compact business district.  From 100 year old Clarke Hardware, to the authorized Bernina dealer, to the Cameleer... there's even a working Amtrak stop right in the business district!  There's plenty of municipal parking, and the streets are pedestrian friendly, with numerous crosswalks (and the vehicular traffic is generally observant and courteous).  It's almost like the town stepped straight from the 19th century into very socially aware 21st, while maintaining a genteel character.  And, it's a survivor, having been hit hard by the August 2011 Mineral earthquake.

Secondly, the dining choices are delightful...some are sophisticated, all homey and in a good range of prices.  From the Frost Cafe for your morning coffee, to the Hazel River Inn or Thyme for your dinner, you cannot go wrong along Davis Street!  There's a much-loved hometown bakery called Knakal's...and if you want a chewy baguette, go to any of three places and you will feel like you are in a Parisian neighborhood.  Ditto cheeses, local wines, and Belgian chocolates.  So that's enough to keep us busy between customers!

Finally, when we feel adventurous, we can try a winery tour, or a farm tour, or one of the numerous hikes that are convenient to Culpeper.  Culpeper and the piedmont area are also hosts to many horse shows, polo and other equestrian events, and well organized guided trail rides.   Or raft down the Rappahannock River.

Tickle your tastebuds with a stop at a local orchard (observe orchard rules), like Roy's in Sperryville (Roy's Orchard & Fruit Market 540.987.8636 64 Old Hollow Rd / Sperryville, VA near "Little Washington" in Rappahannock County).  Culpeper County and environs is known as the market basket of the Washington DC area, since it provides much of the "local, farm-to-table" produce, dairy, meat, and other foodstuffs for so many of the newer restaurants . There are also two seasonal farmers' markets in Culpeper, one on Saturday and one on Wednesday.  You can find all this and a boatload of history in beautiful Culpeper County.

Please make it a day (or weekend) trip--combined with your first visit to our new shop--soon!

Seasonal store hours:   Wed-Thu  12Noon to 6PM   and    Fri-Sat 12Noon to 7PM.
                      Phone:    540 727 0396.






APA Great Places in America-Streets

Travel & Leisure 5 Easy Road Trips

2012 Great American Main Street Award