Stafford’s Economic Development team is launching a new program for aspiring and established business owners.
The “Strategic Pop-Up Advisory & Resource Knowledge” (SPARK) program will serve as a form of “office hours” for community members to visit with members of Economic Development office to ask questions and discuss business matters. The mentorship series will be held at different days, times, and locations throughout Stafford.
Time and Space Comics, a new comic book store, is hosting a soft opening in Stafford this weekend. For founder Kent McKee, this is the realization of a lifelong dream that has been years in the making.
McKee and his wife Courtney started Time and Space Comics in 2019 as an online venture. “We began by doing sales online and attending local comic cons,” McKee shared. After moving to Aquia Harbor, Kent had always envisioned opening a store in Stafford. The shop’s name holds special meaning, derived from a phrase the couple often say to each other: “I love you through all time and space.”
Potomac River Orthodontics, led by Dr. Owais Naeem, will mark its first anniversary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 4 p.m. The event will occur at 12701 Galveston Court, near Hoadly Road and Prince William Parkway in Woodbridge.
Fillagreen, a new shop in downtown Fredericksburg, is set to offer refills on household and bathroom supplies, with a mission to reduce plastic waste. Owners John and Beverly Hicks were inspired to start Fillagreen by their 11-year-old twins, who had been learning about environmental issues and pollution. “We saw an opportunity to make a difference in the world while also teaching our children about the hard work that goes into running a small business,” said Beverly.
The Hicks first test-marketed their concept at the Manassas Farmer’s Market before opening their first brick-and-mortar location at 9029 Center St. in Manassas. They noticed a substantial gap in refillable product locations along the I-95 corridor between Manassas and Richmond and felt Fredericksburg was an ideal place to bridge that gap. John, who helped found the University of Mary Washington’s Mother’s Rugby team and remains active in its foundation, said that moving into downtown Fredericksburg was made easier through their partnership with Main Street America. Both Manassas and Fredericksburg are part of the Main Street program, which focuses on revitalizing historic downtowns and neighborhoods nationwide.
City Vino held its ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 22, marking their new location at 100 Hanover Street in downtown Fredericksburg. Owner Rita Allan shook up the usual ribbon cutting ceremony: after the ribbon was cut, Allan sabered a bottle of Biuitiful cava.
If you’ve never seen sabrage in action, here’s your chance! Rita Allan of @cityvino added saber action to yesterday’s ribbon cutting. https://t.co/SoPJFsR8ag pic.twitter.com/A5rsGjz1MH
Hyperion fans, take a deep breath – new owner Jack Scholl says your “iconic coffee shop isn’t going anywhere.” Hyperion, a beloved staple in the heart of downtown Fredericksburg, is under new ownership for the first time in its 30-year history. Jack Scholl, a coffee industry professional with deep roots in Virginia, has taken over the reins from Dan and Anna, the original owners, who are moving on to the next chapter of their lives.
Scholl, who has been involved with his family’s 34-year-old roasting business in Rockbridge County for the past few years, expressed his admiration for what the former owners have accomplished. “What they’ve done is legitimately special,” Scholl said. “Thirty years in coffee is pretty unheard of, and they are easily in the top one percent of all coffee shops in terms of success.”
In 2022, Liga left ACTS in Dumfries after serving as its CEO for seven years.
Press release:
Fredericksburg City has announced that Duck Donuts will be moving into Central Park. The new location will be near Peter Chang’s and Bonefish Grill.
Duck Donuts previously opened a location in Eagle Village, near the University of Mary Washington, in 2017. That location closed, and has since been replaced by a tobacco and vape shop. In 2020, Duck Donuts closed their North Stafford location.
According to a small business report from Prince William County’s Department of Development Services, 23 small businesses were approved to “open for business” in the county in June.
This brings the year total to 200 small businesses being welcomed into the county, and county leaders credited the Small Business Project Management Program (SBPM) as a helping hand in acquiring more businesses in the county.
Long-time friends Katie Baynard and Sara Hargrove have opened a storefront in Historic Manassas to host their businesses, Tilly & Teal Wedding and Events and Sarandipity Photography.
Eight years ago, the pair combined their collective talents and teamed up to make their mark on their respective industries. In 2016, Baynard launched Tilly & Teal out of her then-apartment above The Bone BBQ.
