Local networking and fun were on tap as MBPA members and friends gathered together at Lost Barrel Brewing to celebrate the April Biz Buzz, and the hopeful arrival of spring.
“We had some spring, a touch of summer and sounds like this week just might dip down to winter,” laughed Punkin Lee, MBPA President. “It appears in typical Virginia fashion we will touch on every season of the year this week! Thank you to Lost Barrel for hosting tonight. Lost Barrel, a community driven establishment, opened in December of 2020 and we are pleased to help celebrate their fifth year in business. Lost Barrel is truly where great beer and community spirit come together in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful countryside.”
“It’s great to have everyone here,” said Natalie Femia of Lost Barrel. “If this is your first time, welcome; if you are a regular, welcome back and thank you for your continued support. We would love to see you for lunch or dinner, or for our live music. If you would like to host a party, we have a party barn and upstairs event space, in addition to plenty of outside spaces and fire pits! Thank you!”
MBPA updates
• Thistlethwaite Americana has closed its doors so that space is now available for lease.
• Another Blue Moon will be closing at the end of the month on their Washington Street location, but will keep their second site on The Plains Rd.
• Also closing will be Middleburg Gourmet whose owners would like to sell the business, so if you know anyone who would be interested, please contact them.
• The four ladies of Stitch held their grand reopening and ribbon cutting on the 22nd and Linda Mason of Roger on Madison hosted her grand opening on April 19th.
• TriCounty Loft will be taking over Mark Metzger’s former Highcliffe location and they are already hiring.
• After 36 years, Hilary Bogley is hanging up her ice cream scoop at Scruffy’s. Hillary will be keeping her thrift shop in the other part of the building.
• But never fear, we will still have the walk-up window for ice cream! Piedmont Drip & Dip is open, serving up the very best ice cream and coffee.
• Community Member Retirements: UPS Mike is retiring in May, Cathy McGehee is retiring from Foxcroft when the current school term ends, and Bob Dornan is retiring after 30 plus years maintaining the amazing walking path at Hill that so many of us enjoy. Plan to attend next month’s Biz Buzz so we can all thank these amazing community members in person!
Upcoming events
• Middleburg Hunt Point to Point is Sunday, April 27 at Glenwood Park. Click here for tickets!
• The Artists in Middleburg, The Byrne Gallery and the Museum of Hounds and Hunting all have new exhibits on display for April.
• NSLM has two new exhibits open through September.
• The Foxes, Hounds and Hares are up for Foxes on the Fence, the online auction fundraiser for the Middleburg Beautification and Preservation Committee. Local artists and students did all of the painting, so click here to place your bids and enjoy the art. The auction is live through Art in the Burg on May 10th.
• Please join the Middleburg Sustainability Committee at the Community Center on April 26 at 8 am for Town Cleanup Day and then stick around for the 24th annual Arbor Day celebration at 9:00 am at the Community Center ball field, where we will remember and honor Thelma Swain.
• On May 19, Katie Barchas Wilson will host a social media course at Lost Barrel. This program aims to enhance your social media presence, maintain visibility with your customers, and ensure that you acquire essential skills to streamline your social media strategy for optimal results. Please contact Katie for more information.
Town updates
• The Middleburg Farmers Market begins Saturday, May 3 at the Town Hall. There are new things planned for this season, including theme days and music, so shop fresh every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm starting May 3!
• Art in the Burg is Saturday, May 10 on South Madison and West Federal Streets.
• The Second Annual Middleburg Day Picnic is Friday, May 30 at Town Hall from 5-9 pm.
• Water conservation measures will likely be put in place sometime this year, as the area remains in a drought. The Town will be implementing ordinance changes around this plan, which regulates what kind of limits the Town may place on residents and businesses. This will be discussed at the forthcoming Town Council meetings. Stay tuned for details on a Community Input Session sometime in late April or early May. Please contact Danny Davis with questions or concerns.
“Be it a small business or a large corporation, we are in the midst of a great deal of potential changes. We all need to stand together and strive to help each other,” said Punkin. “Our town has so much to offer, and what we always offer is a gracious welcome and outstanding customer service. We are very, we are an incredibly special place, and we need to keep moving forward for our residents and our visitors.”
She continued. “Your board is working on a few things that we hope will help all of us as we navigate the changing business climate.”
Congratulations to our Trivia Winners: Lisa Patterson, Laura Smith, Kathleen Fraser, Harriett Condon, and Mary Beth Morell!
Many thanks to Etten’s Eden, Be Local Loudoun, Chris Stafford, Just K.A.D.E. and Lost Barrel for donating prizes!
The Middleburg American Legion, BCT Bank, Wiseman and Associates and Aldie Water will be hosting the next Biz Buzz on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. It will be in a large parking lot and the whole ground floor of BCT Bank. See you there!