Celebrate Small Business Saturday with hometown pride and local love

Photo of Ashland Train Day by Rick Kidd

This Small Business Saturday, November 29, Downtown Ashland invites you to experience holiday magic in the Center of the Universe — where every purchase, every cup of coffee, and every meal shared supports the dreams of local business owners and helps our town thrive all year long.

Nestled around our historic train station, nearly every shop and restaurant in Downtown Ashland is independently owned. That means when you shop Ashland first, you’re not just buying a gift — you’re investing in someone’s dream, fueling local jobs, and helping a neighbor’s business shine a little brighter.

Visitors are encouraged to skip the traffic and take Amtrak Virginia straight to the heart of downtown. Step off the platform and into a walkable wonderland of farm-to-fork restaurants, curated boutiques, art galleries, and cozy cafés — all within sight of mighty trains rolling by.

From fine dining at Henry Clay Inn to handcrafted gifts at Thrill of the Hunt, from colorful yarn at Center of the Yarniverse to a morning latte at Classic Coffee, Tea & Books, Ashland’s shops and restaurants reflect the heart and soul of the community.

“Small Business Saturday isn’t just about shopping,” says Coach Antonio Miller, Executive Director of the Downtown Ashland Association. “It’s about connection — neighbors greeting neighbors, discovering local craftsmanship, and realizing that every dollar spent here helps shape the story of our town.”

So this holiday season, shop local, dine local, and give local. Support the small business owners, dreamers, and doers who make Downtown Ashland a place where everyone feels at home.

Plan your visit, find local favorites, and explore upcoming events at ashlandvirginia.com.

Invest in the Center of the Universe

As the holiday season approaches, Downtown Ashland Association (DAA) is celebrating a year of community impact and inviting residents and local businesses to invest in the “Center of the Universe” through tax-deductible year-end donations or sponsorships.

Center Street Pitch Competition in historic Downtown Ashland, Virginia.

This year, DAA has helped transform Ashland into a hub of energy, creativity, and opportunity. From hosting free entrepreneur bootcamps at the Ashland Branch Library to providing AI workshops at Ashland Theatre and bilingual business workshops at Around the Table, DAA has empowered local entrepreneurs to grow and thrive. Partnerships like the Center Street Pitch Competition with the Dominion Energy Innovation Center awarded $35,000 to innovative small businesses, creating opportunities that ripple throughout the community.

Events have also been a cornerstone of DAA’s work. Light Up the Tracks lit up downtown with over 10,000 sparkling lights, carolers, and festive programming, while Ashland Train Day welcomed thousands of visitors to explore local vendors and the town’s historic rail legacy. These signature events drew over 35,000 guests to downtown Ashland and attracted major sponsors, including Amtrak, CSX, and Virtual Railfan, solidifying Ashland as a vibrant destination in Virginia and beyond.

Light Up the Tracks in historic downtown Ashland, Virginia

DAA’s dedication extends to historic and cultural preservation as well. The fully funded Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park, created in partnership with the Ashland Museum and Hanover County Black Heritage Society, celebrates the town’s rail heritage through interactive exhibits, storytelling, and public engagement. At the same time, strategic initiatives and partnerships with media outlets like Neighbors of Ashland Magazine, Metro Richmond, and K101.2 POP Richmond generated 2.1 billion media impressions in 2025 alone — all without spending a dime on ad buys — putting Ashland, affectionately known as the Center of the Universe, on the map for visitors and investors alike.

“Our work isn’t just about events or numbers,” said Coach Antonio Miller, DAA Executive Director. “It’s about creating a downtown where entrepreneurs flourish, families gather, and every neighbor feels the magic of Ashland. Every donation or sponsorship multiplies that impact — it’s a chance to invest in the heart of our community and get something back that’s truly priceless.”

Mid-Atlantic Railroad Park

The completion of DAA’s five-year Strategic Plan adds another layer to this vision, outlining a roadmap for growth, inclusivity, and vibrancy through 2030. As Kathy Abbott, Chair of the Strategic Plan Committee, reminds us that investing in DAA is more than a donation — it’s an investment in Ashland’s spirit. “It’s about ensuring our downtown remains vibrant, resilient, and deeply connected to the people who live, work, and visit here.”

Neighbors can contribute through a tax-deductible donation to sustain these programs and events, while local businesses can become sponsors, showcasing their brand while supporting free educational programs, volunteer initiatives, and cultural experiences that make Ashland unique.

To give or learn more, visit www.ashlandvirginia.com/donate.

Downtown Ashland Association and Ashland Branch Library Empower Entrepreneurs with Monthly Boot Camps

Downtown Ashland Association Executive Director Coach Antonio Miller speaking during the first Wednesday Entrepreneur Boot Camps in Ashland Branch Library

Local entrepreneurs are growing, connecting, and thriving through a new monthly Entrepreneur Boot Camp Series, held the first Wednesday of every month at 6 PM inside the Ashland Branch Library’s conference room.

The first boot camp, held in November, was a resounding success—bringing together business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and creative minds from across the Center of the Universe for an evening of collaboration, resource-sharing, and inspiration. Attendees networked, learned about new opportunities, and gained tools to take their ventures to the next level.

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“I learned such valuable information in a short amount of time,” Local business owner Anna Riccio of GRIT and Drift Beverage Co. shared. “The whole group was so welcoming! I truly felt like I had a ‘seat at the table.’”

The next Entrepreneur Boot Camp will be held Wednesday, December 3, featuring a holiday meet and greet designed for connection and cheer. Participants can mingle with fellow business owners, exchange ideas, and celebrate the season in true Ashland style.

“These monthly gatherings are about more than business,” said Coach Antonio Miller, Executive Director of Downtown Ashland Association. “They’re about community—because when our entrepreneurs connect, the entire town grows stronger.”

Downtown Ashland is already known as a hub for small business innovation. Main Street is lined with local shops, farm-to-fork restaurants, and vibrant public art—all powered by passionate local owners who make Ashland unique. Downtown Ashland Association also offers year-round resources, including a free online Start Up Business Accelerator, on-demand video workshops, and Happy Hour Vibes Networking and Recording Parties at K101.2 POP Richmond—a partnership that helps businesses engage 1.3 million listeners while enjoying mocktails, games, and laughter.

The Ashland Branch Library complements these opportunities by offering free access to powerful entrepreneurial tools through library card membership, including the Hoopla and Libby apps.

To explore more programs from the Pamunkey Regional Library, visit www.pamunkeylibrary.org. For questions or accessibility accommodations, email ask@pamunkeylibrary.org or call the Ashland Branch Library at (804) 798-4072.

Mark your calendars now—the first Wednesday of every month belongs to Ashland’s entrepreneurs.

Glow Big or Glow Home: Ashland’s Grand Illumination Costume Contest Lights Up the Night

The Grand Illumination returns to the Center of the Universe on Saturday, November 22, and it’s guaranteed to shine brighter than ever! While 10,000 twinkling lights will outline two miles of Downtown Ashland, it’s the community sparkle that truly brings the magic to life.

This year, the Downtown Ashland Association is inviting everyone to deck themselves out in light-up and sparkling attire for a chance to win glowing prizes from cherished local vendors. Starting at 3:00 PM, DAA volunteers will roam the downtown festivities, keeping an eye out for guests dressed to dazzle. Anyone spotted in glowing garb will receive a raffle ticket and be entered to win.

Contestants are encouraged to stay for the full evening of festivities, with the Ashland Town Tree lighting at 5:00 PM marking the grand finale. Until then, there’s no shortage of merriment to enjoy!

The holiday market will stretch from the Dominion Energy Innovation Center, across Ashland Town Hall, and wrap around 110 Thompson Street, featuring an array of local artisans, makers, and food vendors. Favorites include On the Fly Events with their lit mobile arcade and Minuteman Press of Ashland, printing cozy Light Up the Tracks apparel on-site.

Center Street Sound Co. will fill the air with festive, family-friendly tunes while Santa, Mrs. Claus, Rudolph, and Clarice greet guests on the Ashland Town Hall Pavilion stage. With a donation of your choosing to the Downtown Ashland Association, you can have your photo taken with Santa—on your own phone or by the Snow Queen herself with a professional camera.

The fun continues at 4:30 PM with a performance by MKH Dabke Entertainment, offering a dazzling cultural dance experience rooted in Middle Eastern tradition, athleticism, and joy. The Ashland Dance Academy will take the stage next, lighting up the night with their glowing costumes and choreography before the Randolph-Macon College Choir leads a community sing-along of “Walking in a Winter Wonderland.”

Then, at 5:00 PM, our sponsor Dominion Energy will flip the switch on the Ashland Town Tree, illuminating the heart of our winter wonderland. Immediately after, four glowing winners will be drawn from the costume contest raffle for their choice of local prizes:

• 2 Tickets to Wish You Were Here on December 5 at the Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center. Wish You Were Here is a new take on the classic variety show. Featuring live local music, comedy sketches, and storytelling, it is two hours that will have you laughing and remembering, all while doing good in the community.

• A made-to-order long-sleeve Light Up the Tracks tee-shirt by Minuteman Press of Ashland

• A gift basket filled with an assortment of Renewal by Andersen-branded and holiday items

• A stylish hat from Oakley Jae Boutique

• A creamy jar of Donovan's Honey Cinnamon Creamed Honey

• A dazzling pair of earrings from EccaEva

• A $50 gift card from ARC of Hanover

• A sparkling set of KAR Creations earrings

Or a sweet treat from Funcakes—your choice of Santa’s Delight (funnel cake), Elf’s Magic (deep fried Pop-Tarts), or Reindeer Bites (deep fried Oreos)

It’s the delight of these talented local vendors to share their art and gifts with the community, according to vendors like Eva Boggs of EccaEva. “I just love getting to take part in these events!”

All contestants have to do is show up and glow for their chance to light up the night and win. Guests are encouraged to take Amtrak Virginia, which stops right in historic downtown—offering the perfect postcard view of Ashland’s winter wonderland from your spacious train seat.

For all the details, six weeks of holiday events, raffles, and more, visit LightUptheTracks.com.

Manning Memorial Services Honors Veterans with Free Flags and Free Services This Veterans Day

This Veterans Day, Manning Memorial Services invites the community to honor America’s heroes in a simple but meaningful way—by visiting their new location at 134 Thompson Street in historic downtown Ashland and taking home a free American flag.

The local memorial service provider, founded by Daniel Manning Jr. and Mary Renee, is welcoming visitors throughout Veterans Day to learn more about the no-cost services they offer to veterans and their families. Manning Memorial Services provides free restoration and preservation of fallen veterans’ graves, including headstone cleaning, alignment, installation, and assistance in completing VA paperwork.

“We want to make sure every veteran’s final resting place is honored with dignity,” said Daniel Manning Jr., co-owner of Manning Memorial Services. “It’s not just about the stone—it’s about the story. Every veteran deserves to be remembered.”

Manning Memorial’s new location at 134 Thompson Street in historic downtown Ashland

Manning and Renee will be outside their new downtown Ashland location on Veterans Day, greeting guests and helping them complete a brief form to record information about local veterans and their burial sites. Their goal is to create a registry of veteran graves in the Town of Ashland, ensuring they receive regular care for generations to come. "We follow up, find their final resting places, and preserve them. It takes a community to make sure that veteran graves are taken care of," says Manning.

For Daniel Manning Jr., this work is more than a profession—it’s a personal mission shaped by his years of military service and his time at Arlington National Cemetery. After working at the Pentagon during the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Manning was transferred to Arlington, where he helped assign and maintain the graves of fallen service members.

“I uncovered graves from every era of American history—including the Civil War,” he recalls. “I took every cracked, leaning, crumbling stone and saw they were cleaned and stood erect. That became my purpose.”

His dedication inspired the founding of Manning Memorial Services, where that same care is extended to veterans across local cemeteries and churchyards. “Not every hero rests in a national cemetery,” Manning says. “Some are here, right in our own backyards—and we will find them, preserve them, and honor them.”

Co-owner Mary Renee, a veteran herself, shares that commitment. “All of my grandparents were in the military,” she says. “I joined the Army because I wanted to continue that legacy of service. This work allows us to give back to others who’ve served.”

Together, Manning and Renee are building a community of remembrance—one that ensures every name is known, every headstone stands tall, and every sacrifice is honored.

Manning Memorial Services’ new office in downtown Ashland reflects that vision: a place where stories of service, love, and legacy continue to live on.

This Veterans Day, stop by 134 Thompson Street to pick up a free flag and learn how Manning Memorial Services is helping preserve the memory of America’s heroes—because no veteran should ever be forgotten.