Find Your Flower-Power!

GROCERS' NOTE

Whether you love flowers or just think they make nice scenery when enjoying a cold beverage, you're in luck: we're starting "RE-PLANT". Flower lovers, you get free or cheap plants. Patio lovers: beer garden!!

It works like this: if you bring a perennial you can take a perennial for free. Alternatively, you can pick 'em up cheap: $3.50 each or 2/$5. We started the week with heirloom 'Kwanso' daylilies and now have a few more... come, bring your extras, and browse what's here for you.

25 BEERS ON THE WALL...

By July 4th weekend we'll have 25 amazing cold craft beers by the bottle. Come and find a new favorite to go along with fireworks and grilling.

By the way: we have Polyface hotdogs here, too. (Just say'n!)

45's SPINNING

If you haven't seen it yet, come check out the crazy good deal we got on a 1950's turntable. Ben generously lent us his childhood record collection. We'll spin it for you on request! Here's a photo.

Or, bring your own! GUEST DJ, ANYONE?

See you soon,

Katie & Brian

New Hours for the Patio

GROCERS' NOTE

Congratulations, Evans family! The Evans were the very first visitors at our new location when we softly opened Wednesday afternoon. Here's a photo.

The move went smoothly save for our credit/debit terminal hook-up. We kindly request cash or checks the next few days...

With new space comes NEW HOURS.

We've expanded our hours to serve you this summer:

Tuesday - Saturday, Noon until 10pm
Sunday, Noon until 8pm
(Closed Mondays)

Meg Hall of Cheese to You will continue to be here on Saturdays starting at noon.

Also, a NEW MENU.

We are rolling out new parts of our menu every week. Our complete menu will be available on a regular basis May 21st, to coincide with Staunton Jams.

Plus, more BEER & WINE!

We've launced with four great craft beers and will expand in the days ahead.

One of these is the Pale Ale from Mountaineer Brewery in West Virginia. Sadly, Mountaineer just announced closure of their brewery. It was the only West Virginia craft beer distributed out-of-state. So come and taste it before it's gone...for good.

You can choose beer by the bottle or wine by the glass to enjoy on the patio.

COMMUNITY GOSSIP

Last week's FAQs cover some additional questions.

More light! Fresh air! A greatly improved view! Looking forward to showing Geo. Bowers 2.0 to you.

Mooo -> Bovine-inspired Beers; Moving News

Friday, 4/8:

Don't have a cow, man - have a brewski!

Friday we're sampling two "bovine" inspired beers.

Sample "Milk Stout" from Lancaster Brewing Company in Pennsylvania and "Double Bag" (an extra strong ale) from Long Trail Brewery in Vermont.

Miss it, and you'll "utter" one word:

"Doh!"

Happy News: Local Hero Award

Edible Blue Ridge magazine named us as a "Local Hero". Much love! We didn't even know we were nominated... so, a big thanks to all of you who voted for us! Drop by and see our spiffy new certificate before we frame it.

Moving Update:

• We passed our pre-inspection from the Virginia Department of Agriculture. (Yay!)

• We became more energy-efficient! Katie's sister, Annette Thomson, came down from D.C. to help hang Energy Film on the new windows (Photo of Annette here). Energy Film reduces solar gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter. We use it at home because it's great for old windows. Highly recommended!

• Speaking of windows, we added decor - check out the ferns and view from inside our new space, below.

Thanks for your ongoing support and enthusiasm.

See you soon,

Geo. Bowers

Thirsty dogs and chain-smoking chimpanzees!

Ohio craft beer...Another Friday and another great craft beer on pour this Friday. We'll sample Akron OH's Thirsty Dog Brewing - we'll have their Old Leghumper robust porter and Twisted Kilt scotch ale. Quality scotch ales are unique and these guys brew a great one.

Rumor alert...There's been a rumor that we've hired a chimpanzee to handle all our online media and marketing efforts. Well, it's true. We have a chain-smoking chimpanzee handling all our media and marketing. In fact, he's typing this now. You can read more about superior primate intelligence here.

Artisan cheese...Remember...Meg Hall will be here with another round of extraordinary cheese this Saturday starting at 11am!

Winter beers, cheese, and thoughts of spring!

We're kicking the winter season in proper style with a taste of crisp, spicy craft beers every Friday throughout December. This Friday, December 3, we're pouring Christmas ales from Abita and Schlafly Breweries. We start at 5pm, as usual.

Let's not forget that "Cheese To You" will be here every Saturday in December from 10am - 1pm. This weekend, Meg Hall will have another tantalizing assortment of artisan cheeses for your holiday guests, or even better, for yourself!

Also, on Saturday, Dec. 4, Nu-Beginning and Sullivan Farms will be on hand all day with early-bird sign-up information about their 2011 CSA program. This is a great way to support your local farmer and guarantee yourself some incredible produce (and other a la carte items) next year. Discounts for early sign-up too!