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

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!

Staunton contains many “Sears houses”.

News to know this week…

Staunton’s Wealth of “Sears Houses”

Architectural historian Rosemary Thornton wrote an extended piece about Sears Catalog homes found in Staunton. It’s pretty cool because she shows house plans and then photos of examples. Click here to enjoy it.

(We’re fans of Sears houses because Brian’s mother grew up in one. Related in name only we’re also fans of Staunton’s Sears House. We are particularly fond of the Sears House because the builder who built it also built our home!)

San Diego Fans

Staunton enjoyed a very lovely write up in the San Diego Reader this week. It highlights some of our favorite places but fails to mention a certain quirky beer joint located at 219 West Beverley. Hmm….Guess they’ll need to come back for another visit.

Until next time… we’re still on winter hours so stop by between noon and 7pm.

We’re back!

Thank you for your kindness and support while we addressed a family matter. We’ll be back as usual this Wednesday, January 23rd, from noon until 7pm.

Upcoming event:

January 26, 7pm: Women’s Cycling Group is hosting an informational evening/RAGBRAI route announcement party! All are welcome.

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.

Hi, friends!

We will be open early tomorrow (Thanksgiving Day) from 11am until 3pm for last minute beer, cheese, wine, and other goodies…or stop in for a bite or brew before your planned events. Hours will resume to normal on Friday and Saturday (open noon until 10pm).

PLEASE NOTE: Our hours will temporarily change next week to evenings only because of other commitments. Stay tuned.

Also:

Did you know the Virginia Film Alliance has opened a new chapter in Staunton? There are monthly meetings planned for November and December — the next meeting will feature a casting director and be held at Mockingbird. Check out the link for more info.

Again, we give thanks for your support and another year in business.

Sincerely,

Katie and Brian

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!

This month’s Odd Thursday makes a detour to the open storefront at 16 West Beverley for a special (h)OUR Economy timebank presentation that will include members of Media, PA’s and Charlottesville’s timebank programs.

You’ll hear from Marie Goodwin from TimeBank Media,  a successful hours exchange program in Pennsylvania.

Participants from CvilleTimebank in Charlottesville will join the discussion to share their recent experiences launching their new timebank.

Excited by what you hear? Join the (h)OUR Economy timebank (just launched here at home!) and earn 3 hours to begin exchanging with others in the community, plus meet other local participants. Starts at 6pm!

On Tuesday, Oct. 30th, we’re happy to host our friends newest entrepreneurial endeavor: the (h)OUR Economy time bank!

The concept is simple: the (h)OUR Economy is a local economy of friends. Instead of money, we exchange time. Give what you want, find what you need, make a friend along the way.

Intrigued? Join us next week for an informative, casual meet-up of like-minded people to learn more about this exciting initiative.