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Downtown Insider | Published by Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance

New Year, New Food! 😋

A new year means that there’s a lot of new things to explore and discover in Downtown Harrisonburg! Check out something new for your taste buds this winter season, there’s plenty of new (and returning) items to sample.

  • Branch's Soft Serve Etc. food truck is closed for the winter, but they are doing roll cake deliveries! Call 540-209-7300 or go online to order flavors like Banana Foster, Oreo, Red Velvet and Pumpkin.

  • Urgie's Cheesesteaks is now serving up burgers! All burgers include 1/2 lb patties and their signature garlic fries or Route 11 Chips. Chow down while watching an NHL or NFL game or when participating in Tuesday Game Night. Also, congratulations to Urgie's for celebrating four years this month.

  • Try Billy Jack's new Sauce of the Month - Alabama White Sauce. It's a creamy white vinaigrette with a hint of sweet and spicy.

  • Ever wish you could get brunch during the week? Well now you can! Clementine Café is offering brunch from 10 AM - 3 PM Tuesday - Friday as well as on he weekend. Plus, stay tuned for fun, new cocktails at the bar.

  • Magpie Diner is bringing back Friday Night Meltdown. Occurring on Friday nights in January and February from 5 - 10 PM, where you can unwind, thaw out and melt down with grilled cheese, soup, cider, wine and cocktails. Also—don’t miss the new additions to their regular menu as well!

Join our Eat Local Facebook Group

New Year, New Views! 😎

You may notice some new downtown views in 2023! We are excited to officially announce the new façade enhancements coming to Downtown Harrisonburg. Check out what's in store for these 2022 Façade Enhancement Grant recipients!

  • Horizon Gifts will receive funding to put towards a new sign for their new, W. Market Street location

  • Dinamic Cuts will also receive funds for a new sign

  • Bittersweet Bakery will receive funds to put towards a walk-up, pick-up window

  • Kline’s Dairy Bar will receive funding to help upgrade their iconic sign with LED lights

  • 47 Court Square will receive funds to put towards a major façade enhancement project in 2023!


Special thanks to our Design Committee volunteers, Eugene Stoltzfus and Charles Hendricks, who met with grant applicants to offer free design guidance. All photos are “before” images and we look forward to sharing the “afters” this year!

New Year, New You! 🤩

Whether your New Year’s resolution is to improve your mind, body, or spirit, there are plenty of events and opportunities to self-improve this January.

  • Set Your Intentions - Kick off the new year with inspiration and intention setting, with a Vision Board Workshop at Great.full Goods, Thursday, January 19 from 7 - 9 PM. Event includes charcuterie, locally harvested teas, and guidance from Rachel Hupp, a holistic health practitioner. Learn more and purchase tickets on Eventbrite. Continue your mindfulness journey with Rachel Hupp at the Friendly City Food Co-op’s Mindfulness and Essential Oils Workshop on January 22 from 1 - 2 PM. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to use essential oils with mindfulness techniques, and make your own essential oil roller bottle to take home with you. Learn more and purchase tickets on the Co-op’s event page, in person at the co-op, or add them to your Co-Go online order.

  • Learn Something New - New classes are starting in January at Dancing with Karen studio, located at 77 E. Market St. Try Beginner East Coast Swing, Salsa for Beginners, Country 2-Step, and a review of Ballroom & Latin - including foxtrot, waltz, cha cha, and rumba. All details may be found online. Want something more laid-back? Check out the available workshops and classes at Rocktown Yarn including a Beginner Sock Class starting next Wednesday evening!

  • Break Out a Sweat - Yoga Sol, Harrisonburg’s new, hot yoga studio, is open for classes! From the original 26&2 Hot Yoga sessions to Warm Gentle Yoga, there’s something for beginners and seasoned yogis alike.

  • Clean Up Your Plate - With so many great healthy options at Village Juice & Kitchen, sticking with your goal of eating more clean, whole food ingredients can be both simple and delicious!

  • Connect with Community - Join The Center for an Open House and Lunar New Year Celebration on Saturday, January 21 from 2 - 5 PM.

Levitt AMP [Harrisonburg] Music Series
Volunteer Opportunities

Thank you to everyone who attended Tuesday’s Levitt AMP [Harrisonburg] Music Series volunteer meeting at Pale Fire. We were excited to see so much community support for the project and look forward to working with the community on this series.


For those of you who were unable to attend, but still want to be involved, we have shared information about the three available committees on the music series webpage. There are several opportunities to get involved with this series, including Day of Show and Talent Selection Committees. Additionally, if you want a larger role in the series and wish to be a part of the Core Planning Committee, we will be accepting applications now through Tuesday, January 31.


We would like to represent diverse perspectives and voices from our community in our committee membership, so we encourage anyone and everyone to get involved in the upcoming music series!

Learn More

Are you interested in getting involved as a music series sponsor?
Download our Sponsorship Packet to see available sponsorship opportunities for your business! Note - Levitt AMP [Harrisonburg] Music Series sponsors must also be a Friend of Downtown donor. Visit our website to learn more.

Vote Downtown Harrisonburg for Best in Virginia!

Voting is now open for Virginia Living's Best of 2023. Vote online for your favorite Downtown Harrisonburg businesses and attractions in the Shenandoah Valley Region now through January 31.

QUICK TIPS:

  • Select the Shenandoah Valley to get started. Clicking 'Start' will direct you to the first category in the Central region. You will know you are in the correct region if you see the green map at the top of the page.

  • Use the Browse function in the top right corner of the survey for easy navigation between categories and/or regions.

  • Vote in just 1 category or all 104. You can vote in as few or as many categories as you like!

  • Click 'Vote' at the bottom of each category to save your responses. You may return to the survey at any time, but you will be prompted to log in again if you return on a different device.

  • Limit one ballot per person. Encourage your friends and family to vote too!

Vote Now

First Look: The Love that Downtown Built

Valentine’s Day Giveaway

Downtown Insiders get the first scoop! Check out this promotion that will be released to the public soon. Have a friend that wants to be a Downtown Insider? Forward this email or subscribe to our newsletter here.

The Love that Downtown Built Valentine's Giveaway

Do you have a love story in which Downtown Harrisonburg played a role?

  • Did you meet your fiancé while working late at Finnigan's Cove?

  • Did you have your first date with your forever person at Court Square Theater?

  • Did you celebrate a special anniversary at the Joshua Wilton House?

  • Did you adopt your beloved fur baby after locking eyes in the Cat's Cradle window?

  • Did you get married at the Court House?

  • Did you take engagement photos in front of a downtown mural?

  • Did you meet a roommate who became your lifelong best friend at Urban Exchange?

  • Or maybe, you’re like us, and your love story highlights all the little things that made you and continue to make you fall more in love with Downtown Harrisonburg.


We invite you to share your stories of love (romantic, platonic, family, etc.) with us in honor of Valentine's Day! We will be compiling these stories and sharing our favorites on Tuesday, February 14 on our blog and social media.

Submit your story and receive a Valentine from HDR as a thank you (while supplies last). One lucky submitter will also win a $25 Rocktown Kitchen gift card, for their next outing in Downtown Harrisonburg.

Share Your Love Story

Featured Downtown Events:

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Are you interested in sponsoring or becoming a vendor at one of our
upcoming community festivals?

Download our Sponsorship Packet to see available sponsorship opportunities for your business and find our Vendor Applications here!

Thank You for Being a Friend!

Our downtown community is made up of a supportive network of people and businesses, and to recognize those that help HDR build a more vibrant downtown, we present this segment featuring our Friends of Downtown donors, sponsors, and volunteers.

Brothers Craft Brewing 10 Year Anniversary graphic

Brothers Craft Brewing Co.

This Saturday, January, 14 from 12 - 10 PM, our Friends at Brothers Craft Brewing will be celebrating their 10 years of producing locally crafted beer in Downtown Harrisonburg! Join in the festivities, as the community celebrates the anniversary of downtown’s first production brewery, with rare taps, food by Mashita and live music.


Wanting to keep the business local, the brothers of Brothers Craft Brewing Co. found the perfect location for their operation in the former Coca Cola bottling building in 2011, which allowed them to connect to the Harrisonburg community and become a part of the revitalized downtown scene. From hosting Taste of Downtown workshops to helping us secure libations for Downtown Dinner Party, Brothers has been an integral part of our downtown community and HDR events.


Striving to be more than just beer-centric, Brothers focuses on family friendly events and giving back to the local community through monthly philanthropic efforts. Their taproom programming is packed with something for everyone, including beer releases, live music, family friendly events, festivals, fundraisers, and fantastic people.


Congratulations, Brothers! Thank you for being a long-time Friend of Downtown.

Visit Brothers Craft Brewing Co.
RSVP to Event on Facebook

Shop Local Love

Did you know that when you shop locally, 68% gets returned to Harrisonburg's economy to support community initiatives? In this Downtown Insider Feature, learn about a fun product you can purchase from one of our downtown retailers!

“Out in the Valley” at The Friendly City Safe Space

Out In The Valley, the first edited collection of personal narratives by LGBTQ+ people about their life experiences in the Shenandoah Valley, is now available for purchase for $15 at Friendly City Safe Space, located on the second floor of the Ice House Apartments building.


This project has been in the works for a long time, and we are excited to see it hit the shelves! It even features a Foreword by Director of the Friendly City Safe Space, Hyacinth Bellerose! Pick up your own copy next time you’re shopping downtown.

Visit The Friendly City Safe Space

The Downtown Dish

Did you have an amazing meal downtown that you want EVERYONE to know about? Tag us in your food pictures @downtownharrisonburg and you may be featured in an upcoming Downtown Dish feature!

Chicken Pot Pies at Heritage Bakery & Café


Heritage Bakery & Café is now offering chicken pot pies on Thursdays! Enjoy this succulent pastry treat stuffed with potatoes, peas. carrots, onions, and a sprinkle of fresh sage.

Visit Heritage Bakery & Café
Join our Eat Local Facebook Group

The Downtown Scene:

  • Announcements

    • FINAL REMINDER: Requests for Qualification for the northern gateway sculpture project must be submitted on or before 3 PM on Thursday, January 19. Artists must submit online through this portal in order to be considered for the project.

    • The Boujie Hippie is officially open inside the Shops at Agora! Check them out for intentional self care products, crystals and other Appalachian-artisan created products.

    • Facials are coming to withSimplicity in March 2023! Irina and Vika will be doing facials and other esthetician services in the two dedicated esthetician rooms in the new space on E Market Street. More information about booking will come in February. Also congratulations to withSimplicity for celebrating eight years in businesses along with winning an international beauty award, AND starting to export into Canada soon! Wowza!

    • The Little Grill will be back open soon with some exciting changes! Stay tuned for information from the new owner and look forward to once again enjoying a classic downtown breakfast (and maybe dinner too)!

    • Welcome back Chef Ryan Zale to Local Chop & Grill House! We are thrilled to have Local Chop’s original chef back in Harrisonburg after spending some time at Little Inn of Washington. Welcome back!

    • Auditions for Valley Playhouse's Spring production of The Foreigner by Larry Shue are January 23 and 25 from 6:30-8:30 PM at Park View Mennonite Church. Rehearsals will begin on January 30 and the show will run at Court Square Theater from March 23 - April 2.

  • Downtown Events

    • Grammy-nominated bluegrass and oldtime musician has partnered up with Llanera legend to form Larry & Joe, a musical duo performing at Arts Incarnate on January 13 from 7 - 9 PM. The duo will perform a fusion of Venezuelan and Appalachian folk music on harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, guitar, maracas, and whatever else they decide to throw in the van. Emjoy a distinct blend of musical inheritances and traditions as well as storytelling about the ways that music and social movements coalesce.

    • Calling all artists, makers, creators, and any adults who want to be any or all of those things! Restless Moons is hosting an Art Swap on Saturday, January 21 from 2 - 4 PM. Bring your paints, markers, brushes, pencils, paper, canvases, etc. and trade them for something new (to you)!

    • Join the Downtown Harrisonburg community for a celebration of life ceremony for Larry Derrer, beloved downtownie, at Capital Ale House, Saturday, January 28 from 4 - 6 PM. There be a book to share personal memories or thoughts of Larry that will be passed down to his grandkids to read that guests are encouraged to write in along with light refreshments and cash bar.

    • Save the date! The annual cycling event, Alpine Gran Fondo is back in 2023. Mark your calendars and get training for the ride on September 24. Registration opens on February 1.

    • The Virginia Quilt Museum is now open for its winter season! Check out new exhibits, including "OURstory: Human Rights Stories in Fabric."

  • Promotions

    • HUGO KOHL is offering 30% off all resizing orders now through January 16. Come into the boutique to get any ring resized in just a few minutes.

    • Season tickets for the X2Comedy series at Court Square Theater are available now through February 17! Get tickets to six hilarious shows for the price of four! The first comedy show of the year is coming Saturday, February 25.

  • Now Hiring

    • Looking for a restaurant job? Many downtown locations are still hiring servers, cooks, and prep staff. Check out a list of restaurants on our downtown directory, for social media and website listings to guide your search.

Upcoming Downtown Harrisonburg Event:

Do you have an event or promotion happening in downtown Harrisonburg that you want to be featured in the next newsletter? Add your event to our Downtown Calendar through this online form! You can find detailed instructions here.

View More Downtown Events