Community Conversation with Martha J. Miller

Martha J. Miller joined the team at Downtown Ashland Association (then called Ashland Main Street Association) in 2019. Miller is a talented writer, strategist, and communications professional. She offered her services to the Association as a communications consultant at a critical time; she brought us to re-branding, built our first visitor-focused website, and reconfigured our communications strategy. Downtown Ashland Association would not be where we are today without Miller’s work. We are fortunate that she continues to offer her time and talents on our team.

Like many of our supporters, Miller’s roots tie her to Ashland. After attending middle school and high school in Ashland, Miller left for college and moved to Washington D.C., where she spent the next ten years. Fate called her and husband, Zach Miller, home a few years ago, and they have fallen in love with Ashland all over again.

“It is a great place to raise a family, and I love all the good changes that are happening here,” says Miller. “I have seen a huge amount of growth downtown, compared to when I was growing up here. That growth has been great to see. I love spending time downtown.”

Miller’s oldest son, Henry, enjoys the festivities at Ashland Train Day.

Miller says that she was driven to work with Downtown Ashland Association to support local businesses. While working with Ashland Theatre Foundation for its media launch, Miller met Executive Director Maggie Longest. “That was my first introduction to what Maggie does and the mission of the association,” Miller said. “I got really excited about what Downtown Ashland Association is doing because they were all things that I believed in anyway, so it was great to have the opportunity to get involved.”

Once on board, Miller was pleasantly surprised with the level of commitment within Downtown Ashland Association’s volunteers. “The thing that has been so illuminating and heartening is to see so many long-time volunteers,” she says. “I think it is unique to find that level of community involvement and commitment to a place where you live or work. I think everyone in the Ashland community feels very invested.”

The spirit of community shapes Miller’s communication strategy for Downtown Ashland. When asked how to advise a potential visitor to Ashland, Miller says, “Ashland is quaint, but it is quirky. We have a funky, growing, thriving culture here. We are a little off-beat, but we still have that southern, small-town charm. Ashland is a nice respite from the city, and it is very walkable. I would love to see more people who live in Richmond or Fredericksburg come spend the day here because it has that charm and appeal for all ages.” We couldn’t agree more!

See marthajmiller.com for further info about Martha J. Miller’s inspired writing, editing, public relations, and marketing.

Family First at Ferber’s Tire & Auto Service

We stopped at Ferber’s Tire and Auto Service for a chat with Marketing Manager Chris Best, to learn more about their success building a business in Ashland, Virginia.

1.      Why did the business locate in Ashland?

Our initial location is over in the Hanover Air Park. In 2017, we were ready to expand. We wanted a location that was coming up and progressing and keep it close to our flagship shop.

So, we thought, “how can we put our imprint on this city?”, and we came to 106 Junction Drive in Ashland. It’s a great shop, and it’s coming up in a great location.

Ferber’s Tire & Auto Service Marketing Manager Chris Best

2.       What is your most effective marketing strategy?

Our business model is really about being involved with the local community, and we do a little bit of social media marketing.

We are proud to sponsor all four of the Hanover County High Schools, Downtown Ashland Association, little league teams, Ashland Strawberry Faire, and more. We want to be active in the community. We are really just doing the right thing. It makes sense.

3.      How do most customers find the business?

We find most of our customer base in the Town of Ashland through word of mouth and referrals. Doing the best work gets our name out to the public.

Rob Ferber (left) and members of the Ferber’s Tire & Auto Service family.

4.      What would you like to say to a potential customer?

In our industry, it is about transparency and trust. We do everything we can in this location to reinforce that trust. We are very open here. We are a family, and we want our customers to be a part of our family.

When people come in, we know their names. We give people rides to work if they ever need it. We are a part of the community. It is about listening and talking to people and being as friendly as possible. That is natural for us because of the hiring process Rob Ferber has for Ferber’s Tire and Auto. The family-first culture we have is very important.

5.      Anything you would like to add?

Our culture is strong. We are family first, and everyone here enjoys being here.

Transparency is our priority. We will always be fully transparent and honest with you. We let you know everything that is going on with your vehicle, so there are no surprises.

Find Ferber’s Tire & Auto at 106 Junction Drive in Ashland, plus facebook, twitter, and yelp.

Ashland in the Spotlight

Downtown Ashland Association worked to put Ashland in the spotlight throughout 2019.

Here’s a look back at some of our press highlights!

1. ABC8 News: ‘Light Up the Tracks’ has Ashland all aglow

Downtown Ashland Association Executive Director Maggie Longest speaks with ABC8 News anchor Morgan Dean to promote shopping and dining in Ashland

2. Richmond Free Press: Spotlight on founder of the Hanover County Black Heritage Society, in conjunction with Ashland Train Day

Carolyn Tibbs Hemphill, founder of Hanover County Black Heritage Society

Hanover County Black Heritage Society exhibit created for Ashland Train Day in conjunction with the 2019 Commemoration of Virginia history

3. R.Home Magazine: Next Stop, Ashland!

4. Mechanicsville Local & Ashland-Hanover Local: New Name, Same Mission for Downtown Ashland Association

Downtown Ashland Association (formerly called Ashland Main Street Association) unveiled its new name and logo in June 2019

5. PBS: Untold Stories of Ashland’s Past

The “Virginia Currents” program showcased our 2019 Untold Stories event, which drew a standing-room-only crowd at Ashland Theatre.

Brighten Your Holidays with "Light Up the Tracks" in December

Every December, Downtown Ashland transforms into a vintage Christmas village with Light Up the Tracks, presented by Dominion Energy — a mile-long light display combined with three weeks of special events designed to welcome visitors for a unique small town holiday experience.

“Light Up the Tracks, a signature event of Downtown Ashland Association, is a truly charming experience and quintessentially Ashland,” said Maggie Longest, Executive Director of Downtown Ashland Association.

“It is a privilege to support this beloved holiday celebration,” said Hunter A. Applewhite, president of the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation.

“We love ringing in the holiday season with our neighbors in Ashland.”

Visit downtown Ashland throughout December for holiday sights, sounds, festive Christmas decorations, live music, photo stations, appearances by Santa, and more.

Shoppers wanting to experience the charm of Ashland’s main street will find high-quality local gifts and decorations at many of the local shops. Visitors are also invited to warm up with a glass of wine or hot chocolate and enjoy Downtown Ashland’s many restaurants.

“Whether it’s a family outing to see Santa and sing Christmas carols or a romantic dinner downtown followed by an arm-in-arm stroll trackside, Light Up the Tracks brings all things merry and bright to your weekends in December,” Longest said.

Light Up the Tracks, a signature event of Downtown Ashland Association, is made possible by presenting sponsor Dominion Energy, and is a collaboration with the Town of Ashland, Randolph-Macon College, Hanover Arts & Activities Center, residents and business owners.

For more information and a full schedule of events, please visit our Light Up the Tracks calendar.

You've Been Noticed

Downtown Ashland Association and Town of Ashland leaders gathered on November 13, 2019 to celebrate the new landscaping at Ashland Police Department which was accomplished by a team effort of Ashland Garden Club, James River Nurseries, and Town of Ashland Public Works Department. We proudly presented each organization with a “You’ve Been Noticed” Award.

The Award presentation included the following letter of recognition:

To Our Friends:

Mike Hildebrand and James River Nursery
Ann Martin, Lauren Thompson, and the Ashland Garden Club
Todd Evan and Town of Ashland Public Works
Chief Doug Goodman and Ashland Police Department

The Downtown Ashland Association and its Design Committee would like to thank all of you for your extraordinary gift to Ashland, in the great gardening you have done in front of our Ashland Police Department building. Such a beautiful thing to do, such a beautiful addition to our Downtown! Thus, with this letter, we would like to proudly give you our “You’ve Been Noticed” Award!

Speaking as President of Downtown Ashland Association Board of Directors and as Chair of the Design Committee, we must say that the idea of saving the plantings from the beautiful garden at the being-rebuilt train station platforms, and then using it to create these new gardens at our police department, was just brilliant!

The Ashland Garden Club has for so long designed and cared for those plantings at the station – itself a gift to Ashland – that the idea of reusing the plants here may be thought of as an act of both genius and love. And then, to have the Club joined by Mike Hildebrand and his crew from James River Nurseries and by Todd Evan and his crew from Town of Ashland Public Works to do all this work; it has been a true act of civic pride.

In addition to the pure beauty of these plantings, there is also a long-term plan to landscape all of England Street, being worked on by Ashland Town Council and championed by the Design Committee. These new gardens are therefore the first and most lovely steps in making a great entrance to our beloved historic downtown. Such a great beginning, and such a beautiful step, toward this grand vision!

And so, we can’t thank you all enough. This gift of yours to the rest of us sets a standard for all subsequent civic landscaping, and will be cherished for generations to come.

Bless you.

Lorie Foley                                                  Bob Brown
President                                                     Chair
Downtown Ashland Association         Design Committee

Photos of the work in progress during July 2019.