Laura Peters|The News Leader
STAUNTON - Get ready to go back in time with Staunton's Victorian Spring Fling, there's a bucha business news coming out of Waynesboro and the local Food Lion grocery stores will be seeing some updates — here's the buzz.
Blue Ridge Bucha
Waynesboro-based kombucha taproom and distribution Blue Ridge Bucha is expanding its footprint.
Thecompanywas founded in 2010 in a 500-square-foot former wood shop at the home of Kate and Ethan Zuckerman in Afton. In 2018, Blue Ridge Bucha expandedits business to Waynesboro with a larger space of 1,800 square feet.The new spot is at 1809 E. Main St.in what used to house Perfect Flavor, an organic ice cream shop, about five years ago.
Now, the company is expanding into four more states — Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio and Kentucky.
Whole Foods Market will be offering five flavors of Blue Ridge Bucha, which is a fermented tea drink,in all 58 of its Mid-Atlantic stores in Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio and Kentucky.
“Blue Ridge Bucha is a unique kombucha that stands out on the shelves at Whole Foods Market. Ethan and Kate Zuckerman’s passion and dedication to the craft of brewing kombucha comes through in every delicious sip," said Bill Gwynn, grocery associate coordinator of purchasing at Whole Foods Market Mid-Atlantic region in a release. "Blue Ridge Bucha products have been supported in Whole Foods Market stores with in-store demonstrations and tastings, sales and promotions, and, most excitingly, new and innovative flavors that keep customers coming back for more."
The company has earned the title of Best Non-Alcoholic Beverage in the Blue Ridgefrom readers of Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine and Outstanding American Manufacturing Small Businessaward presented by the SCORE Association.
Food Lion
Renovations are coming to the area's Food Lion stores. According to an announcement from the grocery store chain, the company isinvesting $40 million to remodel 23 stores in 14 towns and cities throughout the Charlottesville and Harrisonburgcommunities.
"Food Lion is proud to have been a part of the many towns and cities we serve throughout the Charlottesville/Harrisonburg market for 37 years and we are even more excited to bring new offerings, services and a new look to these markets," Food Lion President Meg Ham said in a release. "We look forward to making significant investments in our stores, our associates and our communities to offer an enhanced shopping experience."
Renovations are expected to be completed by the summer.
The renovations will also come with new hires. According to a release, Food Lion is expecting to hire nearly 400 new associates at the 23 stores.
The stores will offer an expanded variety and assortment of products that are relevant to customers in each community, such as more local, natural, organic and gluten-free items, the release said.
The remodeled stores will help enhance customer service and expand the variety of Food Lion's brand Nature's Promisebeef, pork and poultry – which are products free fromunwanted ingredients like artificial additives, preservatives and colors.
Additional new features include:
- In-store made hand-battered fried chicken
- More local products such as craft beer and wine and additional natural and organic varieties
- Select stores will receive in-store cut fruit and expanded seafood selection
- Expansion of categories such as gluten free and international specialty
- Expansion of great priced grab andgosnacking items
- Expansion of premium and ready to drink coffees
Each of the 23 stores will remain open during their normal business hours during the remodel process. Food Lion will have remodeled 80 percent of its network of more than 1,000 stores across its 10-state operating area once these renovations are complete, a release said.
Here are the following locations that will see remodels:
- West Beverley — Staunton
- 5th Street SW— Charlottesville
- Riverbend Drive— Charlottesville
- South High Street — Harrisonburg
- Laurel Hill Road — Verona
- Windmill Square — Stuarts Draft
- Orchid Hill Center — Staunton
- Spotswood Trail — Elkton
- Hopeman Parkway — Waynesboro
- Timberwood Boulevard — Charlottesville
- Cedar Grove Road — Ruckersville
- Turkeysag Trail — Palmyra
- Virginia Avenue — Harrisonburg
- Branchlands Boulevard— Charlottesville
- NorthCoalter Street — Staunton
- Timber Way — Timberville
- Mill Creek Drive — Charlottesville
- Port Republic Road — Harrisonburg
- Augusta Avenue — Grottoes
- Madison Plaza Drive — Madison
- South Carlton Street— Harrisonburg
- Windward Drive — Fishersville
- Scottsville Center — Scottsville
Spring fling
A Victorian Spring Fling is coming to Stelle Rose at the Staunton Train Station April 20 to celebrate spring with a Victorian twist.
Hosted by theMedieval Fantasies Company Gyfte Shoppe in Staunton, the event is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The event will include Victorian performers, seasonal treats, children games and activities throughout the day as well as a Downtown Staunton Egg Hunt, according to the event's Facebook page.
Children are encouraged to join in traditional activities such as Easter bonnet parade, egg and spoon race, bunny ring toss as well as playing historic games such as graces and hop scotch, the site said.
Participation in the activities and games are free and open to the public.
Activities include Victorian tea and games at the Frederick House, an ice cream social hosted by Mary Baldwin University at the Wharf, making spring crafts at Cherish Every Moment, fortune telling at H.L. Lang & Company Jewelers, a pop-up spring flower show at the CoArt Gallery and a kitten petting zoo at Harmony Moon from 1 to 4 p.m.
Participating businesses include:
- American Shakespeare Center - Gift Shop
- Barrister Books
- Beverley Street Records & Collectibles
- Black Dog Bikes
- The Clocktower
- Cherish every Moment
- CoArt Gallery
- The Copper Patina
- Cranberry's Grocery & Eatery
- Crack The Code Escape Room
- The Depot Bar & Grille
- The Dragon's Hoard
- Design @ Nine
- Frederick House
- H.L. Lang Jewelers
- Jude's
- Latitudes Fair Trade - Staunton=
- Made; By the People, For the People
- Medieval Fantasies Company Gyfte Shoppe
- Nanny June Vintage=
- Pufferbellies Toys & Books
- Of The Round Table
- Two Birds, One Stone
- Rachel's Quilt Patch
- Redbeard Brewing Company
- Shenandoah Hops
- Shenandoah Pizza & Tap House
- Shenandoah Valley Brewing Company
- Wilderness Adventure
- The Wine Cellar
- Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum
- Yelping Dog Wine
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You can reach reporter Laura Petersatlpeters@newsleader.com.Follow her@peterslaura.
