Your Guide to What’s New in Staunton

(Published 09/29/2022)

If you’ve been downtown lately, you’ve probably noticed lots of activity as new businesses finalize their menus and put the final touches on their storefronts. It’s time to celebrate small businesses and the Staunton community by exploring what’s new in downtown Staunton. Here’s the info on new restaurants, shops, and experiences in Staunton.

Sweet Addie’s / 132 West Beverley Street

Think waffles are only for breakfast? Think again. Sweet Addie’s promises to serve you the “best Belgian waffles on the planet,” and you can get them any time. The Liège waffles Sweet Addie’s serves may be different from what you’ll find in a box of Eggo. Not only do they have uneven edges, but they’re also sweeter and made with pearl sugar, which “creates a perfectly chewy level of caramelization when cooked.” You can get a plain waffle or two or have them loaded with your choice of tasty toppings. Try something with Belgian cookie butter or one of the shop’s signature creations like the “Vames Candyland,” which includes Reeses Pieces, Oreos, M&Ms, whipped cream and Belgian chocolate sauce. Or taste the “Holy Cannoli,” featuring cannoli cream, chocolate chips, shaved Belgian chocolate, waffle cone pieces, and powdered sugar.

Accordia / 114 East Beverley Street

Accordia is a new wine and cheese pairing store opening in downtown Staunton featuring wines from Barren Ridge Vineyards. Visitors will be able to taste and purchase wines at various price points from both local sources and around the world. But the real purpose of the shop is to help people learn how to appreciate the subtleties of wine and how to enjoy it with food. Visit the shop for weekly wine tastings and pairing options. Stop in any time for a glass of wine or a wine-based cocktail and a snack. Wines for sale by the bottle will come with descriptive cards and helpful information. You’ll also be able to choose from a selection of locally sourced chocolates like those from Laurie’s Chocolates.

Billy Opal Boutique / 16 South New Street

Looking for a new place to buy your clothes? Billy Opal, a boutique clothing store, is finally opening in downtown Staunton and it promises to help you look your best with a combination of high-end and vintage clothing, accessories, hats, and shoes for both women and men. The store promises to have a wide range of unique looks for all occasions as well as one-on-one help to find your new style.

Staunton Guided Tours

• Victorian House Tours: Want a private tour of Staunton’s historic neighborhoods? Want to see the houses that appear on the National Register of Historic Places? Want to ask lots of questions and learn about the history or the houses and about the lives of the people who lived there? Make an appointment with Staunton Guided Tours for your personal hour-long tour. You’ll be driven around town to sites like The Oaks, the Miller House, the Stuart House, and more. If you have specific tour requests, your tour can be customized. Other tour options include a Civil War Tour and a Valley Pike Tour.

• Trolly Tours / 35 South New Street: Catch a narrated trolley tour from Staunton’s Visitors Center to learn all about the Queen City’s history. Tours are scheduled for Friday and Saturday and overview the important moments in Staunton’s history, highlight architectural gems in the historic districts, and touch on more modern subjects like the Statler Brothers Buildings, Sunspots Glassblowing, and The Blackfriars Playhouse.

Virginia Scenic Railway Tours

Train fans have a new way to ride the rails! The Virginia Scenic Railway is offering scenic tours of the Shenandoah Valley that begin and end at the historic train station in downtown Staunton. 

Reserve tickets for a 3-hour trip on Thursday-Sunday. The Scenic Railway offers rides on the Alleghany Special, which heads west toward Goshen, and the Blue Ridge Flyer, which travels east and goes through the Blue Ridge Tunnel on Afton Mountain. Both tours include a meal, dessert, and a beverage.