Bikes for Business!

Thank you for your signatures in support of making Staunton a more bike-friendly community!

Now, it’s time for action — and CAKE!

Tomorrow (5/23) is the big day! We need you to show up, in person, to voice your support at the City Council meeting. All you need to do is show up at City Hall at 7:30. You are welcome to speak but not required to do so. Then, there will be an after-party with cake here at George Bowers. (Oh, and, it’s also my birthday!)

Brian and I started George Bowers Grocery because we strongly believe in walkable, livable downtowns. We are both biking enthusiasts, too. In fact, this summer we will join several members of RideStaunton.org and will bike across Iowa!

We believe making Staunton more cyclist friendly will do a lot of good, especially if you only consider one aspect: the ability to strengthen our local economy. Here’s a great .pdf showing how other states have benefitted from being bike friendly. We’re in it for long haul and know you are, too. Harrisonburg and Waynesboro are doing great things in support of  biking. Staunton shouldn’t be left behind.

(If you haven’t signed yet, there is still time! Head here or to one of your other favorites: Black Dog Bikes, Turtle Lane, Staunton Creative Community Group, Rule 42, The Dragon’s Hoard, Sacred Circle, or Staunton Antiques Center.) Signing is wonderful but what what we really need is for you to show up tomorrow.

See you tomorrow at City Hall!

Katie

photo: Frank Hebbert

GBG in the NYT!

We’re pleased to announce that George Bowers Grocery is featured in the Small Business Section of The New York Times!

Our business was featured in a section called “Money Shot,” which asked business owners to send in a photo that represents their business. Here’s the direct link to our photo profile.

Women’s Bike Day (3/17)!

Ladies (& gents!) — remember how much fun you had as a kid riding your bike?

If you’ve been toying with the idea of getting back on your bike don’t miss the opportunity to join the Women’s Bike Group for a beginner’s ride on St. Patrick’s Day (this Sunday).

Also check out their new website for regular rides, routes, and rowdiness: RideStaunton.org

To bikes+beer this St. Patrick’s Day (but not at the same time!)

Katie & Brian

Hi friends,

We’ll be closed Tuesday and Wednesday this week. We will reopen this Thursday, usual hours: Noon until 7pm. Thank you for your support.

NEW – Staunton Freecycle!

Have you heard about the new Freecycle chapter that just formed?

Freecycle is an online service where you can give away or obtain items for free. It is completely member-driven, a lot like our newly established (h)OUR Economy time exchange. In the hour exchange timebank you trade hours for hours. At Freecycle you can trade actual things. Browse Freecycle to find items you need, give away things you no longer use, and strengthen our community at the same time.

Here’s how you use Freecycle.

1. Sign up for a free account. You can register with an email address or your Facebook account.

2. Browse. There are three types of listings: OFFERS (items being given away), WANTS (items wanted), and TAKEN (items have been given away).

3. Respond to any listings that appeal to you.

4.  Post your own giveaway offer. To post an offer title it like this because it gets emailed to the entire group:

OFFER: Item Description (Geographic Area)

e.g., OFFER: Bookshelf (Newtown/Downtown)

Then write a description of the item(s) you’re giving away just like you would if you used Craigslist.

5. Prepare to be amazed. The more people who use it the better it becomes. Remember, the beauty of Freecycle is that everything is given for free!

Thank you for organizing, Tracey and Stephen Coltrain!

Happy New Year!

We’re following shorter days with shorter winter hours. Our hours until the Spring will be:

Tuesday through Saturday
12:00pm until 7:00pm

Please note that a family health matter requires that we be closed next week. We will keep you informed.

Thanks,

Brian and Katie

Worthington Hardware – just up the street

We have abbreviated hours this week:

Tues: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Wed: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Thurs: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Fri: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Saturday: (returning to normal hours): Noon – 10:00pm.

Apologies for any inconvenience – thank you for your support.

This week marks our fourth birthday and we’re having a subdued celebration with our favorite root beer floats. Of course, we’re already planning next year’s five-year bash…see you then!

We have another round of great local music this weekend.

On Friday, our good friends from After a Thousand return for an acoustic treatment on the patio.

On Saturday, the talented Bonnie Johns returns with friends joining her for a guitar and voice set.

Great news for downtown! Staunton Antiques Center will open at 19 West Beverley St. This prominent storefront has been empty for some time, so it’ll be a real asset to our downtown to see it active again. Look for a September opening!

See you on the patio!