While a fast and furious summer storm shuffled the Middleburg Business & Professional Association July 12 Biz Buzz indoors, nearly 50 fine folks gathered in the Hugh Newell Jacobson-designed building at the Boxwood Estate Winery to catch up on the latest happenings in the community and sample the delightful Rosé, Cabernet and Boxwood Blend wines.
“The Boxwood I remember was a horse and cattle operation,” MBPA President Punkin Lee laughed in her introduction. “We are still enjoying Boxwood in its present form, as a world class winery right in our own backyard.”
The Boxwood Estate Winery has enjoyed a unique history and seeks to blaze its own unique future under the leadership of Sean Martin, who said “We grow grapes here, we ferment and bottle on the property; we are 100 percent estate, and we are here to make the best wine we can year after year.”
The main house at Boxwood dates to 1826, constructed by William Swart, is also the former home of General William “Billy” Mitchell, the founder of the United States Air Force, and is on the Virginia Landmarks Register. While the main residence is legitimately historic, the 2005 winery structure built by legendary Washington, DC architect Jacobson, whose brilliant exterior design is a nod to traditional hunt country architecture, with a super modern, clean interior design that clearly demonstrates the winery’s eye on the future.
Be sure to vote early and often for Boxwood in USA Today’s Ten Best Readers’ Choice Awards! Boxwood is up against wineries all over the US, and Sean would really like to beat out the Californians, so click here to vote! You can vote once a day through Monday, July 18.
July is not a dead zone in Middleburg. Despite higher temperatures and wicked storms, there is always plenty to do and plenty of businesses, causes and people to support!
“The Pink Box will host Saturday in the Park on July 16, there are new exhibits at NSLM, the Artists in Middleburg and the Byrne Gallery,” said Punkin. “Summer camps are in full swing at the Hill School, A Place to Be, the Middleburg Library, the Middleburg Community Center and the Community Music School of the Piedmont.”
“The pool is open at the Community Center seven days a week,” she continued. “The Buchanan Hall Farmers Market is every Wednesday and Lost Barrell and Market Salamander host regular happy hours for everyone to enjoy.”
The Town of Middleburg and MBPA will host a small business marketing workshop on Thursday, July 21 from 8-10 am at the National Sporting Library. Whether you’re a new start up or a business that has existed for generations, finding the most effective marketing strategies is critical to your success. In this interactive workshop, marketing guru Katie Barchas Wilson of the Market Group, Inc. will walk you through basic strategies to attract, engage and convert your key targets. She’ll cover both traditional and digital marketing best practices, including the “wild wonderful world” of social media.
The Town and MBPA are also organizing a series of Business Focus Groups in order to better facilitate productive discussion between the Town, MBPA and local businesses. There will be multiple sessions offered at different times in order to accommodate participation, and you will be able to sign up online. Please check your emails regularly for announcements!
All these options exist in our town of 700 residents, in addition to art classes, cooking classes, wine tastings, free outdoor concerts and the 16th Annual Middleburg Sidewalk Sale August 5-7. Phew!
Congratulations go out to Berk Lee and the Tack Box, Inc. in recognition of their 75th year in business!
“Berk’s dad, Chubb, started the business out of his truck, making deliveries and opened his first brick and mortar location where the Lucky Knot is now located,” explained Punkin. “The Tack Box on Federal Street is a destination for local and visiting horse people and a mainstay of our community.”
When you see Berk, say hey and congratulations!
Please also wish Happy Third Anniversary to Chloe’s of Middleburg on Washington Street, and send your best wishes to the faculty, staff, students and alumni of the Hill School, which was voted Best Private School in Loudoun for the fourth consecutive year.
Middleburg Town Council Member and Vice Mayor Peter Leonard Morgan presented the Town Update, which included welcoming new a new business on S. Madison Street: Mengu Boutique! Stay tuned for further information!
“The Town and MBPA will reinstate monthly meetings the first Thursday of every month to create a master event calendar, which will ensure that all are aware of events and how they pertain to planning, safety and overall community support,” said Peter. Please check the middleburgva.gov calendar or visitmiddleburgva.com calendar or each entity’s corresponding social media accounts for details.
“KC Tregoning from Loudoun Economic Development was in town last week to meet with business owners and learn about our community,” Peter continued. “She intends on having monthly “Business Hours” to meet with businesses one on one in order to educate our community about available county resources and better understand our community’s needs.”
“This is also an opportunity for the County to see what makes Middleburg the best town in Loudoun.”
The Middleburg Police Department would like to further establish community outreach and events throughout the summer and through the rest of the year, setting the tone for additional involvement in supporting our community beyond keeping all of us safe! Join National Night Out on Tuesday, August 2 in downtown Middleburg. Mark Metzger of Highcliffe Clothiers will yet again be the grill master, slinging all the burgers and hot dogs you can eat. Try your hand at the Dunk Tank while you’re there- you never know who you will see go down!
And get ready, Scrooges and Bob Cratchets, there’s going to be a massive toy drive this Christmas! The Police Department will spearhead “Tiny Tim for Toys” as part of a Dickens of a Christmas, supporting Seven Loaves Services, the Windy Hill Foundation, the Churches of Middleburg, and other local non-profit organizations as needed.
Suzanne Obetz from the Middleburg Museum struck again in the door prize drawing from Certified Humane.
As always, please check visitmiddleburg.com as well as the Visit Middleburg Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts for any updates and feel free to reach out to Katy at info@visitmiddleburgva.com.
Thank YOU all and we will see you at the next Bix Buzz on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at the Masters of Foxhounds Association, 301 E. Washington St, Middleburg from 5:30-7:30 pm.
