Here in Lynchburg we love to shop small…small businesses, that is. One visit to Lynchburg and you’ll notice our streets are dotted with mom and pop shops and restaurants offering a variety of delicious treats, unique home goods, handcrafted art pieces and more. So in honor of Mom and Pop Business Owners Day, here is just a handful we think you should definitely drop in to see.
Mrs. Joy’s Absolutely Fabulous Treats
Tarsha Joyner, AKA Mrs. Joy, opened up her treat shop in October 2016, and she’s been feeding Lynchburg’s sweet tooth from 1008 Commerce St. ever since. A Food Network alumna, Mrs. Joy’s offers a wide selection of cookies, brownies, cakes, whoopie pies, cinnamon rolls and more. The smell will have your mouth watering as soon as you walk in, and many of the treats are as big as the average person’s face! So next time you’re in the mood for a sugar fix, drop by Mrs. Joy’s and say hi!
Lynchburg Community Market
The Lynchburg Community Market is a hub of shopping and gathering in Downtown Lynchburg. It was formed with several commitments in mind, among which are to provide local farmers a place where they can sell fresh produce, give local businesses a place to set up shop and perpetuate Lynchburg’s historic public market activity. There are several areas where local business owners can set up shop during market hours, and there are also several permanent eating establishments that are worthy of a visit, such as Father’s Cafe & Bakery. The Market is just one example of a way in which small businesses have found a place in Lynchburg to prosper.
Blackwater Bike Shop
(Image Via Blackwater Bike Shop)
Blackwater Bike Shop is an excellent place to visit for your every cycling need. Located on Route 221, this building seems fairly inconspicuous except for its huge outdoor sign. But inside, you’ll find just about any kind of bike imaginable, and from many quality brands like Cannondale, Diamondback and Raleigh. The staff are knowledgeable, friendly and always ready to have a chat about bike maintenance, road and trail riding, technique, best quality accessories and much more. They truly want your biking experience to be the best it can be, and they even have connections to biking communities in town so that you can meet like-minded people who just want to have a good time in the great outdoors.
Market at Main
Located, as its name suggests, at 904 Main St., Market at Main is a vintage-styled American cuisine restaurant with a diner-like atmosphere. They’ve been serving up waffles (and sweet potato waffles!), pancakes, salads, soups, sandwiches, fried chicken, meatloaf and more since 2009. With a warm and cozy atmosphere, it’s a great place to hang out with friends and family. Since it’s been around for over 10 years, the owners and the regulars all have stories to tell of Lynchburg, especially as the Downtown area has grown in the last decade. Market at Main also has a convenience store that sells local goods, and they offer dine-in and carry-out meal options. And, just last year, they expanded to a second location in the Boonsboro Shopping Center.
Givens Books & Little Dickens
(Image Via Givens Books)
Givens Books & Little Dickens is the oldest book and toy store in the Lynchburg area, located at 2236 Lakeside Dr. It began in 1976 in an old renovated Boonsboro gas station and, while it has grown and changed over the years, it’s still run by the same local family.
On one side, you can find a wide variety of books in different genres, neatly stacked on shelves with plenty of overhead light for flipping through the pages. On the other side, you’ll find a huge selection of high-quality toys, many of which have educational applications. In the back, there’s a cozy little in-house cafe called The Drowsy Poet, which offers pastries, sandwiches, salads, snacks and all kinds of drinks. Further in the back and up a flight of stairs, there’s a used book section where you can find literature in every genre.
With the feel of a classic bookstore and the occasional author event, this is definitely a bookstore to add to your list of places to visit in Lynchburg.
Speakertree
This music shop on 901 Jefferson St. in Downtown Lynchburg is the perfect place for anyone who enjoys collecting music in physical form. They have an astounding selection of records for the vinyl collector. They also have cassettes and CDs, along with apparel and places to sit and look at your latest find. The wood floors and exposed architecture make you feel like you’re stepping into history. Also present in this shop is the Backline Coffee bar, where you can get coffee, tea, kombucha and mocktails. True to their theme, they also host live music and are a great place for people to meet and enjoy a drink and a local band.
Carriage House Inn
The Carriage House Inn Bed & Breakfast is a historic building in Downtown Lynchburg that has been revamped into a cozy and welcoming getaway. Dating back to the 1800s, this classic building has been renovated, but still maintains much of its charm through its rich architecture and decor. Originally owned by the Watts family, this inn is now run by Kathy and Michael Bedsworth. They offer a variety of vacation packages, complete with modern amenities and sumptuous breakfast options. Additionally, the inn’s proximity to the feature-packed historic Downtown area makes it a great base from which to plan activities.
Live Trendy Or Die
Stephanie Atkinson opened this small local clothing shop on Church Street in 2016. Having worked several retail jobs beforehand, she had the experience and courage to open her own shop, following after family entrepreneurial tradition. She decided early on to become involved in the Lynchburg community, stating in a News & Advance article, “If you’re going to do business in a community, if that community is doing something, you support it.” In her shop, she sells unique and vintage clothing at reasonable price points and in styles which she researches and hand-picks.
So if you love shopping small, like we do, these mom and pop shops are definitely great places to try out!