MBPA gathered at the stunning Goodstone Inn & Restaurant on June 11 for the Biz Buzz, and everyone was simply delighted to be there!
The Leith family settled the original farm in 1768 and kept things going until 1915 when the farm was sold to the Goodwin family, after which the property became known as Goodstone Farm.
“The main house here burned in 1939, and we are standing in the ruins,” quipped Punk Lee, MBPA President. “After Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Warburg purchased the farm in 1943 for seasonal use, it didn’t take them long to give up New York City life and become permanent residents who contributed a great deal of support to this community.”
“The Warburgs always had grey horses, they built the pool and many of us took swimming lessons here and the water was freezing,” continued Punkin. “Once, Mrs. Warburg had to be taken to the hospital via the volunteer fire dept. the Ambulance worked but was a bit dated so along the way, she said she knew she would get to the hospital but instructed the driver to order up a new ambulance for the town— pretty special.”
Today, the full 265 acres of Goodstone is a farm-to-table working farm, producing the fruit, vegetables, eggs and honey that offer guests a real country atmosphere. Now under the direction of Rae Scott, General Manager, Goodstone continues to offer luxurious accommodation, gourmet dining, immersive activities and special events, all while being dog friendly!
“I’m really excited to be here and be part of the Middleburg community,” said Raeshawna Scott, General Manager, who will celebrate her one-year anniversary with Goodstone in July. “It’s really important to me and my team that we are in and of this community.”
“We are building an amazing team here on our 265 acres,” she continued. “We are farm-to-table here, and are out in the garden every day, picking our fruits and vegetables and herbs for the casual Bistro and fine dining Conservatory,”
The Bistro, which has developed a great following in the community, serves dinner on Mondays and Tuesdays and will begin serving lunch on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. A Pool Bar will also be offered this summer, allowing guests to relax with food and beverage while poolside.
The 18 room Goodstone Inn is not just a wedding venue, either! It is available for any event you can think of, from baby showers to corporate retreats. With an extensive activities’ menu, Goodstone can accommodate your group!
TOWN UPDATES
“I would just like to say what a wonderful event and a good time had at the first annual Middleburg community gathering on May 30,” Punkin said. “Old friends, new friends, it was one of those warm and fuzzy gatherings that we all need. Thank you to Chris Bernard, Ali MacIntyre, and the Town Council and Staff for creating this event and let’s keep it going!”
Middleburg Day was a smashing success, beginning with Fox 5’s Zip Trip coverage of Middleburg, complete with interviews with members of our community who discussed all things Middleburg, including shops, businesses, restaurants, events, the fire and police department and more! Fox 5’s Zip Trip is part of their #1 rated morning show in the DMV area, with an average of 45,00 viewers per hour.
Middleburg Day will be held the Friday before Memorial Day every year going forward! Special thanks to Vice Mayor Chris Bernard, who created this idea and helped bring it to life.
Middleburg’s Independence Day Celebration will be July 4 at the Middleburg Community Charter School. The MBPA Independence Day Kids’ Parade will meet at the Community Center at 5:45 pm and Police Chief Shaun Jones will lead the parade to the Charter School, where food trucks, games, live music and a fireworks display await you!
Middleburg Oktoberfest returns on Saturday, September 21 (the same day as Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany) on South Madison and West Federal Streets in downtown Middleburg. The newest addition to a day filled with food, music, art, dancing and beer will be Corgi Races! If you have a speedy Corgi for this not-to-be-missed competition, contact Ali amacintyre@middleburgva.gov to sign up.
MBPA UPDATES
The 171st Upperville Colt & Horse Show had amazing weather, around 1500 horses, and lots of community support. Middleburg restaurants and shops were busy all week. Many of the show’s returning exhibitors have made friends in town and are good supporters of local businesses.
Loudoun Benefit Horse Show begins June 12, which will create added business for Middleburg through Sunday, June 16.
The former Health Center Advisory Board is now the Middleburg Charitable Foundation (MCF) and continues to do some amazing community work.
“When the Loudoun Fauquier Health Center closed in 1978, the building became owned by the Town, which formed a Health Center Advisory Board,” explained Eric Scheps, MCF President. “This Board was dissolved in 2023, and the Middleburg Charitable Foundation was formed as a separate non-profit organization.”
The sale of the former Health Center building has fully funded the MCF, which serves to support the disadvantaged and vulnerable in the areas of health, education, personal safety, and food security, and has enabled the Foundation to award over $65,000 in grants to local non-profit organizations. To apply for a grant, click here!
Mark Metzger is retiring and moving to Florida! The Highcliffe Clothiers Retirement Sale is on through September and Mark would like us all to help move his inventory from his shelves to your closets. Mark has brought so much to the town in a variety of ways, and he will be missed.
The Middleburg Deli is now open on Sunday from 10am to 5 pm and will be a very welcome addition to the Sunday visitors needing nourishment and a nice place to enjoy their food!
Middleburg and MBPA welcome Every Little Something to town! Located at 109 West Washington Street, Every Little Something is a full-service stationery store that creates custom event invitations and curates paper products, fine gifts and custom stationery for adults, children and events of all types.
The Seven Loaves Lunchbox Drive is underway now until August 1st. Tami’s goal is to collect 500 new lunchboxes to distribute to food-insecure families in August before school starts. Donations should be brought to Seven Loaves, which is on the lower floor of the rear of Middleburg United Methodist Church at 15 West Washington Street.
It may be June but a look down the road – the Summer Sidewalk Sale will be August 2-4 and press releases are starting to go out for this annual event. What seems like way down the road— Christmas in Middleburg— so be thinking of your Holiday window display plans!
Congratulations to our June Door Prize Winners:
Certified Humane gift basket- Paul Eden
Wine from the Market Group and Katie Barchas Wilson- Roderick Rigden of Country Classics
One Night Stay at Goodstone- Laura Smith from Loudoun Therapeutic Riding
Dinner for Two at the Goodstone Bistro- Judy Loose from NoVa Deershield
Day Pool Pass at Goodstone- DeeAnn Jeremiah from Imagine Life Coaching
The Next Biz Buzz is Tuesday, July 9 at Slater Run Vineyards. See you then!