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Want to make an impression this holiday season? Why not find meaningful gifts for everyone on your list in downtown Staunton? You’ll not only snag a one-of-a-kind Staunton find, you’ll also be supporting the local small businesses that make Staunton such a special place.

Wellness and Personal Care

Really impress someone with an Essentially Zen Artisan Bath and Body curated holiday zen box. Not only will you be giving a relaxing and great-smelling product, but it will also be beautifully packaged, and all you need to do is name the occasion, your budget, and list any no-no fragrances! Essentially Zen will take care of the rest.

Nature’s Bliss hemp and CBD boutique is your answer to holistic health in Staunton. Stop in to try some local products including energizing tinctures and the best brownie you’ve eaten all year!  Tend to you dog’s health at the Well Balanced Paw pet wellness shop. Fill Fido’s stocking with treats, toys, and accessories. Is he stressed over the holidays? Book him a therapeutic massage!

Arts and Music

 The Heifetz Music Shop offers excellent music-themed gifts like sheet music umbrellas and adorable banjo kitty socks. Did you know that they also have an excellent selection of rental instruments so that fledgling musicians can try their hands at violins, saxophones, clarinets and more. You can also inquire about lessons. 

If you’re buying a gift for someone who’d rather just listen to music, head over to the Vinyl Asylum to relive memories in their ever-changing stock of vintage LPs and more.

You don’t want to miss Staunton Augusta Art Center’s annual Art for Gifts. Running through the end of December, the holiday market showcases the work of more than 60 local and regional artists. Shoppers can find paintings, sculpture, jewelry, textile and fiber art, photography, pottery, stained glass, and more.

Gifts

Looking for some holiday table linens like a set of vibrantly colored cotton placemats designed by French artisans and block printed in India?  Or how about a special hostess gift like an aromatherapy wrap filled with organic ingredients like flaxseed, lavender, and essential oils? You’ll find this and much more at Harmony Moon. 

Do you have a Tolkien lover on your gift list? Known for its handmade swords, armor, and Welsh items, Medieval Fantasies Company also has lots of inexpensive stocking stuffers from Middle Earth like Rivendell and Rohan-scented soaps. More adventurous folk can scrub down with some Smaug-scented soap and follow up with a liberal application of Durin’s Folk handcrafted beard butter.

CFO Trading Co. sells men’s fine gifts and apparel. Here you’ll find something nice to wear, shaving supplies, glassware, and even pit barrel cookers. Better yet, you can buy a glass of wine from CFO’s sister store Yelping Dog Wine and sip while you shop. If you’re looking for a gift for a cigar aficionado, you’ll be delighted with the selection of cigars, pipes, and accessories at Beverley Street Cigar Store.

Staunton Flavor

Experience the magic of hot glass and the beauty created from it at Sunspots Studios.  Blow your own ornament or choose from their spectacular gallery of glass art.

A Staunton charm from H.L. Lang and Company Jewelers will make the recipient think of the Queen City whenever they hear it tinkling. These keepsakes are lovingly crafted from sterling silver or 24-K gold and depict the Stonewall Brigade Bandstand, the Marquis Building, the watering can and other Staunton landmarks. Another place to look for something sparkly is Crown Jewelers, where you can select from both new and estate jewelry.

How about the gift of organizing the year ahead with a Staunton calendar? Local artist Haley Roberts is using her talents to support downtown by creating a calendar highlighting some of the many wonderful local businesses that make Staunton’s downtown life so vibrant, and charming. If you order by December 20th,the proceeds will support the Staunton Downtown Development Association (SDDA).

Make sure to visit the American Shakespeare Center gift shop for Shakespeare-themed goodies like shirts, bags, and face masks adorned with a Shakespeare facial hair design. History buffs will enjoy the offerings from the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library gift shop. Stuff stockings with candles, mugs, notecards, picture frames and holiday ornaments. 

Experiences

If you’d rather gift a Staunton experience this holiday season, why not treat someone to a night in one of our historic hotels like the Blackburn Inn or Hotel 24 South, which both provide luxurious accommodations just steps from downtown.

Now that we’re finally seeing movies in the theater again, you can’t beat the convenience of a gift card from the Visulite. Sign up online and give a gift of any amount that’s good for all the new movies that are coming out next year.

Also consider an annual pass to the Frontier Culture Museum. This pass provides unlimited visits to the museum and select special events for an entire year. The pass also provides a 10% discount at the museum store. 

Finally, how about a semester of art classes from Beverley Street Studio School? Classes are offered for both beginners and advanced students and cover topics like watercolor, streetscapes, and theory and critique.

Why not burn those Thanksgiving calories, make a dent in your holiday shopping, and support locally-owned businesses all at the same time? Skip the Black Friday lines and instead shop downtown Staunton on Small Business Saturday. You’ll find all sorts of unique products and wonderful customer service. Our downtown shops are filled with great deals and holiday cheer and some merchants may offer discounts and refreshments. 

The Well-Balanced Paw 

The Well-Balanced Paw is dedicated to pampering your pup. This pet wellness shop offers nutrition, treats, massages, and accessories. They will have sales both Friday and Saturday and are giving away Shop Small Mystery Bags with each purchase over $20 on Saturday.

Refill Renew

Help the environment and get a jump on your holiday cleaning and gift giving at Refill Renew. Shoppers get 20% off on bulk Free & Clear Refill Laundry Detergent, Multi-Purpose, and Glass Cleaner on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. Spend $35 and receive a free zero-waste gift!

The Book Dragon

The Book Dragon is Staunton’s downtown source for new and used books as well as locally-made pottery and jewelry. The first ten customers who spend $75 on Small Business Saturday score a free Book Dragon tote bag. Choose a free book (advance reader book) with a $25.00 purchase. Make sure you look at the selection of exclusive signed books while quantities last. 

CFO Trading Co.

CFO Trading Co. sells fine men’s clothing, shoes, accessories, and gifts from companies like Pendleton Wool, Duck Head, Stanley and Frost River Bags. They will be offering 15% off everything in the store Friday and Saturday. 

Yelping Dog Wine

Yelping Dog Wine stocks hundreds of types of wine, from bottles produced locally to those made around the world. For Small Business Saturday, the shop will be offering ½ case of wine at 15% off and full cases of wine at 20% off. Parched from all that shopping? Take a break and enjoy a wine by the glass special on Friday and Saturday.

The Foundry Pop Ups

The Foundry Pop Ups promotes the work of local artists and craftspeople and those who have produced unique products. You’ll find clothing, jewelry, bath products, candles, and more. The shop will extend its hours Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and offer complimentary hot cider for customers.

Harmony Moon

Shop Harmony Moon online for curbside pickup or score free shipping on purchases over $49. The first 15 customers (online or in-store) will receive a free gift, and everyone can enter their name into a prize drawing.

Sole Focus Running

Sole Focus Running is your go-to shop for running shoes and gear and great service. Check social media for upcoming details on Small Business Saturday specials.

Traipse Tours

Access even more of downtown Staunton and its locally-owned businesses by taking a Traipse Tour unique to the Queen City. The tours are part scavenger hunt, part history lesson. Different tours explore the historic Wharf and Beverley districts and the unique shops and restaurants. There’s also a tour that seeks to spark creativity by highlighting galleries and supply shops for artists. And if you want a wider view of Staunton, there’s a tour for that, too!

Arts for Gifts

While this isn’t a Small Business Saturday event, it’s too good to skip mentioning. Select something truly special for those on your gift list this year. Staunton Augusta Art Center’s Arts for Gifts showcases work by local artists in a variety of media. You’ll find paintings, stained glass, textiles, and jewelry, as well as seasonal cards, ornaments, and much more. Ongoing through December 31. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Proceeds support local artists and arts education.

It’s been a quiet year of hiding in our houses, but now that it’s safe to get out and mingle, why not set up chairs or a blanket at the Gypsy Hill Park bandstand? The bandstand, which was originally constructed in 1891 for the Stonewall Brigade Band, continues its long tradition of hosting live entertainment. This year, visitors can enjoy live music four nights a week as well as four nights of family-friendly movies. All entertainment is free.

Monday Nights: Stonewall Brigade Band (8 p.m.)

About 70 local and regional musicians come together at each performance of the Stonewall Brigade Band. This community concert band first formed in 1855 as the “Mountain Saxhorn Band,” and today is the oldest-continuous community band in the U.S. The band, made up of volunteers playing woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments has included over 1000 musicians in its time, some as young as 12. The band plays 

The Stonewall Brigade Band will perform on Monday nights from June 7 – August 30. See the full schedule here.

Tuesday Nights: Praise in the Park (7 p.m.)

Linden Heights Baptist Church hosts the annual concert series Praise in the Park in July and August. The concerts include southern gospel, gospel bluegrass, and contemporary gospel. All concerts start at 7 p.m., except for the one on June 30, which will begin at 6:30. Shenandoah Valley favorite Faithful Men will start the season on July 6. Celebrate America on August 3rd with the sounds of One Family Band and by wearing red, white, and blue and waving an American flag. August 10 brings the southern gospel sounds of Ed Pettersen & Streets of Gold Quartet. The season closes on August 24 with Covenant Band “We Will Ride” and a fun blend of praise and rock that the entire family will enjoy. See the full schedule here.

Wednesday Nights: Bluegrass (7 p.m.)

Staunton Parks and Rec hosts the Wednesday night bluegrass concert series from July 7 – August 25. Concerts start at 7 p.m. and feature local and regional bluegrass entertainers. If you love energetic tunes and banjo picking, these shows are for you! The schedule is still TBD, but past performers have included Marteka and William, performing in the styles of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, and Little Roy and the Lizzy Show.

Thursday Nights: Jazz in the Park (7 p.m.)

Celebrate hot summer nights with the Jazz in the Park summer concert series. You’ll hear classic jazz standards performed by S.P.L.A.A.A.T. Quartet, amazing stride/boogie pianist William Hayes performing with The Boogie Kings, and trumpeter John D’earth, who has collaborated with greats such as Tito Puente, Dave Matthews, and Miles Davis. See the full lineup here.

Friday Night Family Flix

Movies under the stars are magical! Bring a big blanket and cuddle up with your kids to make some lasting summer memories. The lineup includes Toy Story 4 (June 4), Jumanji: The Next Level (June 18), Tom & Jerry (July 9), and The Goonies (July 23). Movies start at dusk (usually between 8:30 and 9:15).

Before You Go:

Gypsy Hill Park has lots to do. You can enjoy a full day of golf, biking, tennis, swimming, walking your dog, and playing on the playground before settling down for some evening entertainment.

Most entertainment will go on, even if it’s raining, but check the weather cancellation line just to be sure. 540.332.3947.

Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets. 

There will be concessions available for purchase during the events, but visitors should consider bringing takeout from Staunton area restaurants. Quick and tasty picks include:

• Chicano Boy Taco (Mexican)
• Newtown Baking and Kitchen (Pizza)
• Lundch (Family-style, farm-to-table)
• Wright’s Dairy Rite (American, the original curbside)
• Cranberries Grocery and Eatery (sandwiches and wraps, including gluten-free versions)
• Depot Grille (American)

The park does not permit alcoholic beverages, but Queen City Brewing is just steps away. Why not enjoy a craft beer nightcap after the show?

Is a sudden thunderstorm threatening to put a damper on your Staunton plans? Don’t beat yourself up asking “water” we going to do in the rain, because Staunton looks good in clouds, too! Check out these surefire remedies for cabin fever.

Indulge in a Spa Day

If rain makes you stressed, book a spa treatment at the Spa at the Blackburn, Staunton’s newest place for relaxation. Pick from massage, reflexology, nail or skin treatments, or indulge yourself with a full day of luxury.

Other soothing places include Breezy Hill Day Spa, housed in a historic mansion, or Mill Street Body and Soul Day Spa and Salon, which is right downtown. Both spas’ services include massage, facials, manicures, and pedicures. If you’d prefer to relax at home, stop by Essentially Zen Artisan Body & Bath Co. You’ll find soaps, bath bombs, candles, gift boxes, and much more to help you relax in these stressful times.

Eyeball Some Art or Visit a Museum

Explore the rotating exhibits of art and history at Staunton Augusta Arts Center, located in the historic R.R. Smith Center for History and Art. The Beverley Street Studio School Gallery and Co-ART Gallery host multiple exhibits of fine local art each year. For more art, visit Mary Baldwin University’s Hunt Gallery. The art ranges from “abstract to classical, reflecting a wide variety of media and artistic intentions.” If you’re hankering for a chance to do your own creative work, Staunton Makerspace offers both courses, space, and tools for independent work.

If you haven’t been to the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace and Presidential Library yet, a rainy day is the ideal time to tour the 19th-century manse and bone up on your history. Snatch a selfie in front of Wilson’s 1919 Pierce-Arrow Limousine or tour the state-of-the-art WWI trench warfare exhibit. The museum is also offering live virtual programming and is opening a new exhibit called “The Quarantine Museum,” in which Staunton residents share their stories of navigating the pandemic.

Find the Bottom of Your Glass

When downpours make you thirsty, get a sense of Staunton’s local wine offerings at the Ox-Eye Vineyards tasting room, which is located in a cool, historic building and has a covered outdoor seating space. Hang out with friends at Yelping Dog, for a wide selection of wines from around the world. Redbeard Brewing Company, Shenandoah Valley Brewing, and Queen City Brewing offer delicious craft beer right in Staunton’s downtown. Skipping Rock Beer Co. is just a short drive away. Sip beer and spend the afternoon enjoying your brew over a board game or two or stunning the world with your knowledge during weekly pub trivia.

Take a Break from Netflix

A rainy day is a perfect excuse to watch a play or a movie. Amp up the culture factor with a performance of one of Shakespeare’s hits at the Blackfriars Playhouse, which has started selling tickets for its Actor’s Renaissance Summer outdoor performances of Macbeth. More performances will follow, but in the meantime, take advantage of BLKFRSTV, where you can stream cinema-quality performances in the comfort of your home. Is a movie and a beer more your speed? The Visulite airs the latest movies and lets you relax with a glass of wine or craft beer. Covid safety measures are in place, including extensive cleaning of all touchpoints and socially distanced seating.

Roll the Dice

Speaking of games, if the sound of raindrops makes you eager to roll dice, Staunton has lots of options to get your game on. To purchase a game to take back to your place, try Pufferbellies for family games and puzzles or the Dragon’s Hoard for strategy games or live gaming.

Limber up those wrists and cure your cabin fever with bowling at Staunton Lanes, where you can roll some straights and fill up on nachos and fries. Your peeps will also enjoy a collaborative breakout puzzle at Crack the Code Escape Room. Crack the Code has recently moved to a new location and is offering both live and take-home escape challenges, some of which are Staunton-themed.

Score Something New

Staunton has dozens of cool shops offering unique gifts and items. If you’re looking for something uniquely Virginian, check out Made; By the People, Medieval Fantasies Company Gyfte Shoppe, or The Sparrow’s Nest, which features jewelry, clothing, art, decor, and more from local artists and farms. Harmony Moon and Jude’s: A Fine Emporium carry gifts for all members of the family. And if you’re shopping for Fido, hit up the Well Balanced Paw.  Light up your tastebuds at Staunton Olive Oil Company where you’ll find premium olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and the local herbs and spices to complement them. If books are what you’re into, check out Staunton’s newest bookstore, The Book Dragon, which carries new and used books for the entire family. Alternatively, browse for hours through the huge inventory of reasonably priced used books, comics, CDs, and DVDs at Know Knew Books.

Embrace Something with Memories

17 E. Beverley Antiques boasts two floors of goodies, from furniture, fine jewelry, and art, to retro clothing and accessories. Continue the hunt at Staunton Antiques Center, 10,000 square feet bursting with vintage furniture, housewares, and clothing, as well as contemporary work by local artists. The Factory Antique Mall in Verona is the largest in the country. Spend your rainy afternoon browsing acres of antiques, jewelry, toys, and other items sure to evoke memories of another era. Nearby, Verona Antiques fills a space once occupied by a roller rink with high-quality antiques and art. 

Everyone has seen the Woodrow Wilson birthplace and heard, or at least heard about, the Statler Brothers lighting up the nights on Independence Day. However, a number of other less presidential, but also important people have ties to the town. From the wife of a president to leaders in education, read on for more about the notable women with connections to Staunton.

Edith Bolling, Wilson’s Second Wife

Edith Bolling Wilson was Woodrow Wilson’s second wife. She was born in Wythville, VA, in 1872 and traced her ancestry back to Pocahontas. Bolling married and moved to D.C., and after her first husband died, married again in 1915, this time to president Woodrow Wilson. When Wilson became bedridden after a stroke, she managed his office and determined what matters of state were important enough to bring to his attention. Edith is known for setting sheep to graze on the White House lawn to save on the manpower that would be needed to cut it during WWI. After Wilson died, Edith worked to preserve her husband’s birthplace, which is now the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace and Presidential Library.

Staunton Female Seminaries

Women’s education, which was limited in the 19th century, got a big boost in the 1840s when three female seminaries opened in Staunton.

Mary Baldwin and Augusta Female Seminary (1842)

Augusta Female Seminary was founded by Reverend Rufus W. Bailey, a New England native who came to Staunton to start a Presbyterian school for girls. The Augusta Female Seminary was constructed next to the church. According to Dictionary of Virginia Biography, the school offered an exemplary education for Southern women of the time, stressing academics, devotion to Christian principles, community service, and self-reliance. Mary Julia Baldwin was one of its first students who grew up to later run the school for 34 years. It was later renamed in her honor.

Mary Baldwin attended Augusta Female Seminary and graduated in 1846 as valedictorian. Baldwin started a small school and later took over Augusta Female Seminary in 1863. Not only did she save it from floundering financially, she revamped the curriculum to elevate it to the level of a university. Baldwin proved to be a good businesswoman and administrator, and the school thrived during her 34-year tenure. It came to be “considered one of the most distinguished for young women in the southern states.” Baldwin died in 1897 and is buried in Staunton’s Thornrose Cemetery.

Virginia Female Institute (1844)

Maria Sheffey was a wealthy widow who started a school for girls at her home, Kalorama, in the 1830s. Though Staunton had many schools, this was the first to offer education to girls past elementary school. Later, Ms. Sheffey’s school merged with an Episcopal seminary to form The Virginia Female Institute. Mrs. Sheffey served as a joint principal alongside Reverend James McElroy. The school eventually became Stuart Hall, which still exists today.

Wesleyan Female Institute (1846-1900)

The Wesleyan Female Institute was a Methodist school attended by both boarding and day students. Reverend J.R. Finch was the first principal, and the school was housed in several places over the years, including the church basement and Madison Place.

Local Heroes

YuLee Larner

For 32 years, YuLee Larner wrote weekly “Random Ramblings” and “Larner Lines,” columns for the Newsleader about birds and nature. Larner also wrote Birds of Augusta County, Virginia and Virginia’s Birdlife: An Annotated Checklist. A founding member of the Augusta Bird Club and a president of the Virginia Society of Ornithology, Larner was widely considered one of “the most respected self-taught ornithologist[s] in Virginia.” The YuLee Trail through Staunton’s Montgomery Hall Park is a wonderful place to walk, mountain bike, and look for wildlife. It is named in her honor.

Rita Wilson 

Rita Wilson, Staunton’s first Black councilwoman and vice mayor, served the community for 16 years. She retired in 2008 and passed away in 2016. Staunton City Council named its chambers after her to honor her legacy. Wilson strove to be a community leader and “represent people that she felt were underrepresented.”

Staunton Legends

Ethel Moses (1904-1982)

Ethel Moses was born in Staunton, but she moved to Philadelphia as a child. Nicknamed “The Black Jean Harlow,” Ethel Moses was a hugely popular Harlem performer in the 20s and 30s. She drew crowds to the stage and to her films because of her beauty, her dancing and acting ability, and her engaging personality. She toured with the Cab Calloway band, and began acting in films in the mid 1930s, working with filmmaker Oscar Micheaux on projects such as Temptation, Underworld, God’s Stepchildren, and Birthright. According to Blackpast.org, “Moses remains an important figure as she was one of the few Black underground actresses who represented African American characters in roles that accurately reflected Black life during a time when most major Hollywood filmmakers refused to do so.”

Eva Clark

In 1906, 25-yr.-old Eva Clark, a trapeze artist with the Cole’s Brothers World Famed Triple Railroad United Shows Circus visited Staunton. After her performance, she found herself in the middle of a confrontation between a “friend” and her jealous husband and was shot in the abdomen. Clark was abandoned by both men and the entire circus, but she refused to accuse anyone of a crime, saying it was only an accident. She survived for three weeks at King’s Daughters’ Hospital before succumbing to sepsis. For years, each time a circus came to town, performers would gather to decorate her grave with flowers. In fact, her grave in Thornrose Cemetery is often still decorated with small trinkets and her story has morphed into one of Staunton’s favorite ghost stories.

Other Notable Women

Other notable women who hailed from Staunton include Sadie Adams and Sue M. Wilson Brown, who were African American suffragists. Gertrude Harris Boatwrite Claytor was a mid-twentieth century poet and Mary Yost became the dean of women at Stanford University from 1921-1946. Diana Adams became a principal dancer in the New York City Ballet in the 1950s and early 1960s.