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The Biz Buzz Celebrates New Additions to Town

4 women in doorway at a meeting

The August Biz Buzz celebrated a slew of news in town, beginning with the new and improved host, The Middleburg Museum. The Middleburg Museum hosted the event in its new location at 8 North Madison Street, complete with tasty fare from the Goodstone Inn & Restaurant.

“Thank you for being here, we had a great grand opening last month,” said Suzanne Obetz, Executive Director of The Middleburg Museum and MBPA Board Member. “The Museum has some wonderful things coming up, including Fun Shop Friday, a big party to celebrate the Fun Shop on Friday the 18th of August with free hamburgers and hot dogs. We’ll have some music and all kinds of fun stuff!”

The Middleburg Museum’s Chili Cookoff will return this year with additional categories to the competition, followed by the Middleburg Christmas Tree Lighting on December 1 and the Middleburg Hannukah Celebrations December 7-15, 2023. Mark Metzger of Highcliffe Clothiers will once again be the master of Hannukah Ceremonies.

“We’re just getting started as a museum, and we need your help,” Suzanne continued. “We want your input. We want to know we are here for you, so any suggestion, idea, artifact, or donation you may have to give, please get in touch.”

“Middleburg was once again well represented in the Best of Loudoun Award Winners,” announced MBPA President Punkin Lee. “We congratulate The Market Group, Salamander Resort & Spa, Sprout Therapeutic Riding, Brick & Mortar. Lost Barrel was a multiple winner in the 2023 Virginia Craft Beer Competition.”

“The Summer Sidewalk Sale was very successful,” Punkin continued. “The weather cooperated, and people were shopping, shopping, shopping! Thank you everyone who participated.”

MBPA Updates

Thanks to the efforts of Laura W. Smith, Jocelyn Rusell’s stunning bronze sculpture of Secretariat spent three days in Middleburg, with events at The Middleburg Community Center and National Sporting Library & Museum. MCC hosted a sold-out event in support of Loudoun Therapeutic Riding as well as a free screening of the Secretariat movie, while NSLM hosted a sold-out reception and meet and greet. Jocelyn Russell and Kate Tweedy (daughter of Penny Tweedy Chenery, Secretariat’s owner) were on hand at both locations for wonderful and vibrant discussions of Virginia’s Favorite Racehorse.

CDMX has opened at 16 East Washington Street to great reviews. Maria Ayala Paniagua, owner of CDMX, welcomed everyone to the town’s newest purveyor of delicious food, “We are super excited to be here; I can’t wait for you to come down! We have a huge menu, but we can make anything you want- just let us know!”

Federal & Black has opened on South Madison Street and owner Rebecca Kidder was on hand to meet everyone.

Bluewater Cocina is slated to open in the Garden behind Nature Composed on South Pendleton Street. Stay tuned for details on the ribbon cutting!

New Middleburg resident Mary Beth Morrell has been busy readying 17 South Madison Street for the opening of Middleburg Books in September.

Town Updates

“At your last meeting, you heard from both Bridge and Peter about Mickey Gordon Park,” said Danny Davis, Middleburg Town Manager. “Bridge has met a couple of times with the Director of Parks and Recreation, and while no official changes have occurred, they hear you.”

Loudoun County Parks, Recreation & Community Services will host the second Mickie Gordon Park Community Meeting on Thursday, August 31 at the Community Center at 6:30 pm. Please make a point to attend this event, as it is crucial to the future of Mickie Gordon Park and the community at large.

For those interested in zoning, the Town will continue discussions about zoning, specifically in Ridgeview.

Danny explained, “People are buying houses, tearing them down, putting much bigger houses up and we will have that conversation whether that’s OK, is there a limit to that? Do we want to see changes in how the town regulates that? The Town Council and Planning Commission want to hear from you, so we are going to host another community outreach and engagement on that topic likely the first week or two of October. Keep your eyes out for that because it does affect all of us in some way or another.”

The new Town Hall’s air conditioning had a bit of an issue, but the finishing touches are progressing and all being well, the new Town Hall will open in about a month.

The Town requests your opinions on South Madison Street Streetscape Enhancements:
“We are doing a public outreach on South Madison Street improvements and enhancements for economic vitalities to help businesses be successful, but really also about safety and accessibility,” Danny explained. “If you haven’t filled one of those surveys out and you’re interested, check out our website.”

The Town has updated and printed brand new Middleburg Shopping & Dining Guides. You may pick them up from the Town Office or from The Middleburg Museum.

Ali is back from maternity leave!

Other Events

  • The Family Reunion at Salamander Resort & Spa had a third successful and SOLD OUT weekend
  • The Middleburg Farmers Market is every Saturday from 9 am to 12 pm at Middleburg Community Charter School
  • Bluegrass at the Barn is Sunday, August 20 from 1-4 pm at the Mt. Defiance Cider Barn
  • Sky Meadows State Park 40th Anniversary Celebration is Saturday, August 26 from 11 am to 8 pm at Sky Meadows State Park, 11012 Edmonds Lane, Delaplane, VA
  • Middleburg Oktoberfest is Saturday, September 16 on South Madison and Federal Streets
  • Mille Miglia returns to Middleburg November 1-4, 2023. If you’d like to volunteer, contact Danny at 540-687-5152
  • National Sporting Library & Museum Polo Classic is September 10, 2023 at Great Meadow
  • For more events, visit our event page.

“School is back in session soon,” said Punkin. “We will have lots of new parents and students who want to be part of town and enjoy the town, so please welcome them to your shops and restaurants.”

“I would also like a little reminder as we go into fall, the schools opening and events increasing,” she continued. “Take a look outside your front door. A lot of us go in the back door and open the front from the inside. We are getting towards the end of the summer with the heaps of dead leaves and plants. We need to have fresh curb appeal!”

Congratulations to Robin Cunningham of MOSS Builders and Lost Barrel Brewing, who won the Certified Humane door prize!

The next MBPA Biz Buzz is Tuesday, September 12 at the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, 1776 Loughborough Lane, Upperville, Virginia.