Wawa Champions Ashland's First Responders

Wawa champions our community's first responders. As sponsors of the Ashland Train Day Headquarters for 150+ volunteers and first responders, Wawa is showing its commitment to the men and women who keep us safe.

Even the store's Grand Opening celebration brought out the Ashland, Virginia Police Department and Hanover County Fire-EMS Department to serve up hoagies and raise funds for charity (pictured below)!

2019 Grand Opening celebration for Wawa’s Ashland location.

We recently spoke with Wawa’s Mark Soroka to learn more about the company’s commitment to the community.

Tell us a little about our local store. What are the unique features and offerings it provides?

The Ashland store employs roughly 30-40 associates/managers and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We offer custom made salads, full service beverages (milkshakes, cold brew, smoothies, etc.), hot and cold hoagies, as well as a variety of other breakfast, lunch and dinner options.

How is Wawa involved in the local community? 

We are involved in many local partnerships: sponsorship with JDRF & LLS walks and events, Roc Solid builds in the RVA area, the local chapter of American Red Cross, the Chesterfield Education Foundation (free cup of coffee to every teacher, faculty member and administrator to welcome back to school), YMCA after school reading programs, CHOR phone-athon two years in a row, coupons to 5th graders in Life/Fire/Safety Program in Chesterfield County, local Torch Run for Special Olympics and local National Night Out events.

Why is Wawa supporting Ashland Train Day?

Wawa is proud to host the Volunteer & First Responders Headquarters for all police, fire, paramedic, and community leaders by providing pretzels, Wawa swag and prize wheels, coupons and a special visit from its mascot Wally Goose, as the retailer’s way of thanking every day heroes for serving their communities.

Downtown Ashland Association is proud to partner with our local Wawa store at 100 N. Washington Highway. We are grateful for the company's support of our local volunteers and first responders.

Business Spotlight: Eagle Construction

Eagle Construction aims to supply quality housing to the residents of Virginia. The company builds approximately 300 homes each year, the majority in the Richmond area. Eagle also builds in Smithfield, Blacksburg, and Christiansburg. Each of Eagle’s homes provides new housing opportunity for our communities and quality living for its residents.

Recently, Downtown Ashland Association met with Kellye Ruckman, Marketing Manager for Eagle Construction, to learn more about the company’s work in Ashland. Eagle currently has two communities under development in Ashland: Lauradell and Lankford's Crossing.

In the Lauradell neighborhood, off Thompson Street near the western edge of town, Eagle offers 140 new homes with smaller home sites for single-family households. Offering many layouts including, first or second-floor primary bedrooms and rear garages in an open landscape with a “gathering barn” for community functions.

Lankford’s Crossing is a spacious neighborhood off Ashcake Road with greenway paths that connect residents to Downtown Ashland. Eagle provides residents an opportunity to personalize a new home while embracing a community mindset.

The company notes its pride to have Downtown Ashland as a landmark for its residents. “Along with quality housing, residents are able to enjoy the Town of Ashland and fully experience all that downtown offers. From the local shops to the events, residents are able to immerse themselves in the culture of Ashland,” explained Ruckman.

Eagle offers residents multiple options for their new homes. The “Quick Move-in” option to the people relocating to the Ashland area, where they are able to speed up the move-in process and get settled quicker. Eagle also offers customers a more “Hands-on” homebuilding process, giving customers an opportunity to come to the design center and personalize the design of their new home. This not only allows customers to build a connection with their new home but also brings a form of creative excitement to the process. 

Eagle Construction supports Downtown Ashland Association’s work to build community and support local business as a Gold Sponsor. We appreciate their commitment to our local efforts, and look forward to meeting our new neighbors in Lankford’s Crossing and Lauradell.

To learn more, see eagleofva.com or visit the Richmond Design Center at 10618 Patterson Ave. Henrico, VA 23238; open daily 11am - 6pm.

Welcome Caravati’s!

Friday, June 25 from 4-7pm, Caravati’s Architectural Salvage will celebrate its Grand Opening in downtown Ashland.

201 England Street is the new location of Caravati’s Architectural Salvage and the historic home of Loving Ford dealership, first built in 1921.

The local family business is known across our region for unique and lovingly restored architectural pieces. The new location will offer customers an expanded showroom and restoration services.

Owners Ben, Jimmy, and Elaine Kastelberg are Hanover County residents and the relocation to Ashland is a move home, in many ways. 

“I like the small town feel of Ashland,” says Ben. “It’s a nice historic town and the atmosphere jives with what we do here at Caravati’s.”

“When we talk to people about the relocation, it’s great to be able to tell them Ashland is a destination spot to come shop, eat and sightsee.”

Ben, Elaine, and Jimmy Kastelberg with the full Caravati’s Architectural Salvage team.

Caravati’s provides high-quality antique and vintage architectural pieces salvaged from historic homes, including hardware, woodwork, wrought iron, brick, lighting, and more. “My grandfather was known to salvage everything but the plaster dust. That was the one thing he couldn’t save,” says Jimmy about the business’s founder, Louis Caravati.

The Caravati’s showroom includes historic photographs of the family business.

“We were fortunate grandchildren, my grandfather had plenty of work for everybody. I was one who worked there every summer with him, and I enjoyed it. He had us cleaning brick. We pulled glass out of old windows. He had us stripping paint off of old doors and windows and shutters and mantles; anything that had paint on it.”

By the time Jimmy took on the business in 1983, Caravati’s had grown to fill warehouses in south Richmond. He explains, “the biggest challenge we’ve faced is changing times. We've been through a couple of recessionary periods, back in my grandfather’s time, in the eighties, and with COVID. We’ve had to make adjustments. As the business owner, you have to sacrifice and to adapt. With experience and being really attuned to our market, we’ve overcome some tough times.”

Stained glass and wrought iron displayed in the Caravati’s showroom.

Relocating to Ashland will help Caravati’s continue the tradition. Jimmy and Elaine proudly report that Ben will soon be taking on the leadership role. And it was Ben who envisioned the move to Ashland and adapting during changing times.

Ben explains, “moving to Ashland allows us to delve further into the art of what we do. We can specialize in restoration services and provide installation as well. This location will help us serve our customers and make sure our inventory is fully customized to their needs.” The Ashland showroom is surrounded by workshops for each trade. Caravati’s craftsmen specialize in antique lighting, replication, woodworking and repair, historic glass cutting, and hardware fitting.

Historic doors and fixtures in the Caravati’s showroom.

Even the new location is an historic restoration success story. The Loving Ford Building has graced Ashland’s main street for 100 years. The building is flanked by the iconic Ashland Theatre and just one block from the railroad tracks in the center of town. Following the owners’ renovation, Caravati’s business fits perfectly in the historic space. Today, there are architectural pieces showcased in the picture windows and craftsmen in each garage bay.

Everyone is invited to join Caravati’s Architectural Salvage Grand Opening Celebration on Friday from 4-7pm at 201 England Street, Ashland VA 23005.

Ashland Fourth Fridays will be going on simultaneously. Downtown Ashland is sure to be an exciting destination for customers new and old.

Volunteer Spotlight: John Working

John Working began volunteering with Downtown Ashland Association in 2019 to help promote the local business community, and he currently serves as Vice President.

John Working, J.D.

Working is the co-owner and a founding partner of Railside Law Group. His practice focuses on criminal and traffic defense, family law, and estate planning. Together with partner Virginia Podboy, The Railside Law Group operates as a general practice at 307B England Street.

John Working explained the partners’ choice to locate in Downtown Ashland, saying, “There is a real sense of community among Ashland business owners. People rally around each other and the community values supporting local business.”

John Working is a 2001 graduate of Randolph-Macon College.  He earned an English major and Education minor. Working says, “I was grateful to not only receive an education from the College, but also make meaningful connections with professors and coaches.” After graduation, Working spent seven years teaching English and coaching football at Varina High School and Mechanicsville High School.

John Working and his wife Jessica Robertson Working are both entrepreneurs in Downtown Ashland.

During his time in the public school system, Working was inspired to advocate for youth and the less fortunate, and he became interested in the legal field. He attended the University of Richmond’s T.C. Williams School of Law. Now an attorney, Working volunteers with the Hanover County Drug Court defending youth who are criminally charged and are at-risk of developing substance dependency. The Drug Court helps divert youth away from the criminal justice system, while helping them develop tools to build better futures.

Downtown Ashland Association is fortunate to have John Working’s leadership as an advocate and business owner in our community.

Celebrating Life's Joys

Celebrating life’s joys helps us to focus on the positive and to stay connected. In this time of social distancing, celebrations take on a different form—and a greater importance.

Downtown Ashland retail businesses are supporting the community with socially distanced celebration options. You can purchase, wrap, and ship a gift without leaving the comfort of your couch! Here are a few suggestions:

Gift for Graduate

Send a gift card from RED VEIN Escape to a high school or college grad. Let them know you are proud of their achievement and cheer for the fun we can have together in the future!

Gift for Grandma

Send a gift from Thrill of the Hunt for a senior to enjoy at home. This unique home décor store is stocked with hand painted, solid wood furniture. Plus, homegoods and craft supplies.

Gift for BFF

Send a gift from Refunkit to your forever best friend—a reminder of great memories and good times ahead. Candles, jewelry, scarves, and home décor available.

Gift for Business

Consider a post-pandemic team building workshop at Off and Dancing! Shake a leg and help everyone get back to normal. Call Brian to make arrangements.