Changes in the Center of the Universe

Notice something new in Ashland? Check out changes in the Center of the Universe below…

Andy’s Restaurant and Lounge revamped its patio

Diners have enjoyed Andy’s homemade food, dancing, and billiards since 1968. Now, you can also enjoy outdoor dining in style on the patio with expanded seating, outdoor screens, and twinkling lights.

Casa Herradura Family Mexican Restaurant expanded the dining room

Casa Herradura’s delicious delights can’t be contained! Now the signature margaritas and Mexican cuisine are served to two dining rooms and a patio–plus room for parties!

Dr. David A. Haine named a Richmond Magazine Top Docs Winner

Ashland has always known our own Dr. Haine at Family Eye Care Centers of Virginia is a top doctor. Now, thanks to the 1,302 professionals who participated in Richmond Magazine’s online survey, he is rightfully recognized as one of the leading optometrists in the region.

Trackside Kitchen and Wine unveils its new look

In April, 2023 Trackside Grill transformed to the chic and updated Trackside Kitchen and Wine. The renovations give guests a quintessential downtown experience, while continuing to embrace the business’s core values of family, life, and happiness.

The Ashland Theatre is the place for family programming this summer!

The Ashland Theatre is excited to announce a full summer of family-friendly programming at the historic theatre.

$2 Movie Mondays!  Starting June 26th, the Ashland Theatre will offer eight weeks of $2 Monday movies at 2PM!  The series kicks off with the 2022 film, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. Tickets for all showings are on sale now!

June 26th, 2PM:          Lyle, Lyle Crocodile

July 3rd, 2PM:             Hotel Transylvania

July 10th, 2PM:            Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

July 17th, 2PM:            Goosebumps

July 24th, 2PM:            Peter Rabbit

July 31st, 2PM:            Stuart Little

Aug 7th, 2PM:             Surf’s Up

Aug. 14th, 2PM:          Open Season

The Toddler Takeover Hour!  This free monthly event is open to all children ages 1 month to 6 years, and their families.  The theatre shows cartoons and other family-friendly fare for our young audience with short attention spans. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $5 per family at the door. Coloring and craft stations are set up and the theatre lights are kept on throughout the hour.  Some months feature live-storytelling or in-person fairy princesses!

Upcoming Toddler Takeover Hours are Saturday June 10th at 10AM, Saturday July 8th at 10AM, and Saturday August 19th at 10AM!

New Release Films! Spider-man: Across the Spider-Verse is the #1 movie in the world and now playing at the Ashland Theatre through June 15.  The Flash opens on June 16, and Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kracken opens June 30!  Tickets for all showings are on sale now.

The Ashland Theatre is committed to offering a range of programming that appeals to all community members.  The Theatre welcomed over 12,000 patrons throughout 2022 for a mix of films, music, theatre, talks, and private rentals.

Unique Local Items in Toast of Downtown’s Silent Auction

We’d like to propose a toast - to you! Neighbors like you make Ashland the center of the universe. Toast to a vibrant downtown when you place your bid on unique local delights you can’t find anywhere else. Downtown Ashland Association’s Toast of Downtown online silent auction is open now through Thursday, June 22, 2023.

Hand Painted Sign from the Trackside Grill

Make your bid

Ashland Theatre Marquee Message

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Hanover Golf Club, Round for 4

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Ashland Haunted History Tour for a Group of 10

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Your Event at The Depot

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RED VEIN HAUNT Fast Pass Tickets for 4

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Ashland Tattoo Company Gift Card and Prints

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RED VEIN Escape 60-minute Game for 8

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Randolph-Macon College Football Fan Experience 

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4 Tickets and FanGround passes to Richmond Raceway

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Membership to the Virginia Museum of History and Culture

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4 tickets to the Fredericksburg Nationals

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Barrel of Bourbon

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Ring Video Doorbell Pro

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Caravati’s Receives the Art McKinney Historic Preservation Award

Caravati’s Architectural Salvage, the family-owned showroom for unique and lovingly restored architectural pieces, is being recognized for breathing new life into the historic 201 England Street location. 

The Art McKinney Historic Preservation Award is awarded to businesses and property owners who have demonstrated good stewardship of Downtown Ashland’s historic structures. Caravati’s rehabilitating and repurposing of a building that has graced Ashland’s main street for over 100 years is deserving of this award.

The site was originally home to the Rawlings Motor Company in 1921. Following a fire in 1931, the location was rebuilt by Burley Pollard Loving and renamed the Loving Motor Company in 1936. The building was passed on to Burley’s daughters, Elizabeth Lee Loving Miller and Beverly Loving Vaughan, who have since passed it on to his granddaughters.

After a few years where it served as a consignment clothing store, Jimmy and Elaine Kastelberg started dreaming of Ashland as the new home for their famous architectural salvage business. Caravati's co-owner Ben Kastelberg explained, “We were very fortunate to be introduced to the owners through a relative. It was the Loving Family who were so gracious to work with us and tailor the renovation to our needs. The old Loving Ford Motor Company building fits our aesthetic so well, and it is a pleasure to occupy.”

Caravati’s officially opened in 2021 following extensive improvements to the historic building. Now celebrating two years in the Center of the Universe, Caravati’s uses the restored space to provide more than just architectural salvage.

“Caravati’s has been a family business for 84 years and it has been my life’s mission to continue, as it was my father’s and great grandfather’s before me.”

— Ben Kastelberg

“The showroom is a space where people who are unaware of our mission can browse and learn how old building materials can be repurposed,” Ben explains. “I hope that this award will increase awareness about what we do and why preserving historic building materials is so important to us.”

Originally located in the City of Richmond, the local family business is well known across our region for unique and expertly restored architectural pieces. Upon moving to Ashland, Caravati’s expanded its showroom and restoration services.

The company provides high-quality antique and vintage architectural pieces salvaged from historic buildings, including hardware, woodwork, wrought iron, brick, lighting, and more. For Ben Kastelberg, the business’s mission is even more personal. “Caravati's has been a family business for 84 years and it has been my life's mission to continue, as it was my father's and great grandfather's before me.”

The Ashland Museum and the Downtown Ashland Association welcome guests to a presentation of the Art McKinney Historic Preservation Stewardship Award at Caravati’s Architectural Salvage on June 21 starting at 5:30 PM. Following the award, guests are invited inside for a discussion of the business’s history. 

Announcing June 23 Ashland Fourth Friday Artists

Ashland Fourth Fridays are back and better than ever! Two new food trucks, three live performances, and three new vendors join the family and pet-friendly festivities Friday, June 23 from 5-8pm. See our full list at AshlandFourthFridays.com

Entertainment by 

5 PM showcase by Ashland Dance Academy inside The Depot
5-8 PM The Fancy Sandwiches at the Ashland Town Hall Pavillion

6 PM line dancing by the Boot Scooters on Ashland Town Hall Lawn

6 PM dance party with Ashland Dance Academy on Ashland Town Hall Lawn

Ashland Museum & the Caboose

Ashland Haunted History Tours

RED VEIN Escape
Ashland Theatre

Eat & Drink:

Ban Thai Noodle
The Henry Clay Inn
Origin Beer Lab

Iron Horse Restaurant
Caboose Market & Cafe

Ashland Meat Company

The Depot
Trackside Kitchen & Wine

SweetFrog

Casa Herradura

Huddle Up Sports Bar

Andy's Restaurant

Tops China

Food trucks:

Cheesaggedon

Mimi's Ice N' Custard

Sugar Florist Bakery

Art:

Refunkit

The Shop at 112

Marigold Art Studio

Created by Catherine

LittleTree Handmade Accessories

Immagine’ LLC

ErAlexica Cards Jewelry and Crafts

PinPaalz

Sweet Heat Candles

Wigglebutts Dog Treats

Untamed Seamstress
Tiny Tim's Trains & Toys
The Asylum

Trinity's Fairy Closet

Part-Time Cryptid

a4ordable beauty Jewelry Accessories, LLC
Ashland Branch Library

Taylored Crafters

AVA Handmade
Be Kurved