It’s a common occurrence today to see companies closing their doors, cutting jobs in the thousands, and plants closing. We see it everywhere from the nightly news, to newspapers, to online articles, and even driving around town. Business is declining and with America’s economic situation, there is little hope right now for new jobs and job security.

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Just yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting Country Formals and Gifts, a formalwear and gift shop in Hillsville, Virginia.  Owned and operated by Hillsville native Lauren Chitwood, this shop offers formalwear for ladies of all ages.  Recognizing the lack of formalwear shops in Southwest Virginia, Chitwood opened her shop to give the women of Carroll County and beyond an option other than driving to Roanoke, Virginia, Johnson City, Tennessee or Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  I had the opportunity to look through her store and she offers widely known brand names at amazing prices you would not be able to find elsewhere.

 Some people reading this may be saying “hey, what about the ‘and gifts’ part?”  Well, let me tell you.  Chitwood has the second half of her store devoted to her gift giving side.  Taking on a country and what decorators are calling a “primitive” look, Chitwood offers gifts and accessories guaranteed to remind anyone of home.  Not only does she have the “country” motif down, she also caters to accessories that pertain to her passion– horseback riding.  On my trip there, I saw a table top Christmas tree made entirely of horseshoes! It was incredibly witty and a perfect gift for those equestrians!

 You may ask me what this has to do with the overall region. Well,

1) It is a successful business in the heart of Southwest Virginia and it is owned and operated by a young, well-educated woman.

and

2) Owner Chitwood makes a concerted effort to offer some local crafts in her shop.  They offer candles locally made in Elkin, North Carolina, Grim Pottery made locally in Konnarock, Virginia and framed ink drawings of historic sites in Hillsville done by a local artist. 

 All in all, I suggest that everyone check out Country Formals and Gifts if you are ever in the area.  You’d be surprised to see what you may find! I know I was!

Are you in Southwest Virginia?  Do you look for things to do, or are you one of those who want to come to the area and are afraid of the lack of things to do?  Well, fret not. It really depends on where you are in the area and where your interests lie, but regardless of that, there are many things to do!   

For example, if you’re in Floyd County, a good Friday night can mean going to the Blue Ridge Diner (I highly recommend their black bottom pie) and then going to the Floyd Country Store for live music and dancing.  Often there is not only music going on inside the store, but outside on the porch and around the corner as well.  If you’re looking for other music venues, try The Rex Theatre in Galax, the Bristol Country Music Alliance’s Pickin’ Porch in Bristol or the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion in Bristol in the Fall which is a phenomenally huge traditional music festival! 

Music abounds in the mountains and can be found anywhere from a square dance in Grayson County to a fire department Friday night jam in Smyth County to anywhere along The Crooked Road.

In the area, we are blessed to have a plethora of natural wonders just waiting to be explored.  From Tazewell County’s Burkes Garden, which is known as “God’s Thumbprint,” to the Creeper Trail, Appalachian Trail or Mount Rogers, Virginia’s highest point, there are many things to do and see.  The Blue Ridge Parkway and many hiking and biking opportunities offer you the best views for miles around.  It has been rumored that on a clear day, one can see Detroit, Michigan from the summit at Mount Rogers, but you’ll have to look and see for yourself!

In the New River Valley (Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Radford), you can enjoy a busier scene with shopping and dining options.  Also, you can benefit from having the colleges close by for quality entertainment whether it be concerts, plays, lecture series, etc… 

Going down I-81 gives you the option of dinner and a show at the Wolfhart Haus in Wytheville, several wineries in the region such as Chateau Morissette and the Davis Valley Winery, performances at The Lincoln Theatre in Marion, The Paramount and Theatre Bristol in Bristol and The Barter Theatre in Abingdon– the state theatre of Virginia.  There are many other cultural opportunities such as The Carter Fold in Hiltons and plenty of fine dining experiences to be had between The Martha Washington Inn, The Tavern and The Hardware Company, just to name a few. 

The area is also rich in consignment, second-hand and antique shops.  The areas of Floyd, Abingdon Bristol are particularly rich in these stores.  In the summer months you can attend the Virginia Highlands Arts and Crafts Festival in Abingdon which features a huge antiques market.

I could literally go on all day and suggest things that are not only great food and a good time such as The Dip Dog Stand in Marion, In the Country in Damascus, or Cuz’s Barbeque in Tazewell County, but I would be depriving you of your chance to explore on your own!

–Shai Cullop

Doesn’t it stink when you find yourself saying the things to your children you swore as a child you would never say to your children? Last night my husband said to my son, “I walked to school 12 city blocks when I was your age!” I’m no better. When they’ve complained about having to get up early and do chores I chime in with, “When I was your age I was out the door at 6a.m. feeding the horses and mucking stalls!”

Ahhhh. . . .

. . . and I loved it. My husband and I represent two different worlds. I grew up two miles from Natural Bridge, and he grew up a few miles from Yankee Stadium. Coming back to Virginia has given me a chance to share a bit of my childhood with my husband and my children. Horses however, remain elusive for us, but maybe not for long. I have friends that ride, and supplement their habit by boarding horses for others. One of my friends rescues horses just because she likes to look at them—she doesn’t ride anymore. Another friend does dressage and trains horses and riders professionally.

If you’re a horse person missing the smell of sweaty tack, the wind in your hair and a soft muzzle eating an apple out of your hand, come on down to SWVA. You’ll be in good company. Travel down I-81 and you’ll see for yourself the horse farms already here, but why not start your own? Throughout SWVA there are farms and acreage to be built on just waiting for you and your four legged friends. Virginia has favorable horse laws, affordable land, and experienced large animal vets. Want to come down and have a horsey vacation just to whet your appetite? Try Hungry Horse East, an Equestrian Campground near Galax. If you’re looking to do dressage, check out the Southwest Virginia Dressage Association.

Come on down!

- Lucinda McDermott Piro