Refunkit Celebrates 10 Years

At Refunkit, you’ll find uncommon wall art, sculpture, home décor, jewelry, yard/garden art, candles, kitchen items, art kits, locally made food and hot sauces, cards, lighting, clothing, accessories and so much more. As one loyal customer described it, “I always find exactly what I didn’t know I was looking for.”

Originally owned by three artists who enjoyed refunking furniture, household items, lamps, mannequins and more, Refunkit has evolved into a destination shop hosting more than 80 local artists’ handmade works. This month, they are celebrating 10 years in Ashland.

Owner Wendy Doyle and Sharon Stiles, who joined the team in 2016, are a constant presence at the shop.  Doyle said, “Our hope is that everyone walking in Refunkit is delighted and inspired by the many handmade things you won’t see in other places. With so much to look at and an inventory that changes weekly, there’s always something new to experience.”

Refunkit will be celebrating their anniversary on September 23 from 5-8pm in conjunction with Ashland Fourth Fridays.  The shop will be open to visitors, plus dancing in the courtyard with DJ Sunny Girl spinning the tunes. Everyone is invited to the party!

Doyle and Stiles said, “As we celebrate 10 years of Refunkit, we want to thank our customers and artists, our families and the Town of Ashland for your constant support.”

Refunkit is located at 120 Hanover Avenue, Ashland, VA 23005 (804-822-5758). Follow them on Facebook and Instagram @refunkit or refunkit.com.

Community Spotlight: Bob Brown

Downtown Ashland Association recently hosted a reception to honor Bob Brown’s two decades of volunteer service to the Ashland community.  Brown has served as a volunteer with Downtown Ashland Association since 2012, including serving seven years on its Board of Directors.  In addition, Brown has served as Chair of the Design Committee for ten years.  The Design Committee celebrates historic character in downtown and advocates for inviting public spaces. 

Prior to 2012, Brown served nine years on the Town of Ashland's Planning Commission, including four years as Chair. A crowning achievement was his role updating the Town's Comprehensive Plan which is the governing document for future planning and land use decisions in the town. Brown was awarded the Ashland Citizen Leadership Award to recognize his achievements on the Commission.

Brown is a Princeton-educated architect but insists that his passion and skill has always been in urban planning.  Before Bob and his wife, Mary Lou, retired to the Ashland area, he spent his creative career rehabilitating the downtowns of Hoboken, New Jersey; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and Hartford, Connecticut. He also spent time sharing his knowledge with future generations as he taught urban planning at the University of Pennsylvania. 

Brown's work for Downtown Ashland Association has inspired the streetscape you see today on Railroad Avenue, at Town Hall, and around the historic train station. He contributed to plans for future upgrades on England Street and the upcoming Railroad Park. Bob’s work has directly shaped the form and function of our town. We will forever be grateful for his dedication and service.

Downtown Business Forum

Downtown Ashland Association held a meeting of downtown business owners and managers on Tuesday, August 16 at 10am to discuss economic trends and upcoming events. The 16-minute video presentation is available here.

Executive Director Maggie Longest presented the results of the Association’s 2022 Business Survey and plans for upcoming events: Ashland Fourth Fridays, Ashland Halloween, and Light Up the Tracks. Plus, the Town of Ashland, Market Ashland Partnership, and Hanover Chamber provided updates.

Downtown Business Forums are held by the Association quarterly to share information and solicit feedback from downtown businesses. The next Forum will be held Tuesday, October 18 at 4pm at Ashland Police Department, 601 England Street.

Ashland Fourth Fridays

Ashland Fourth Fridays is a monthly celebration of arts and culture in Downtown Ashland. On August 26 from 5-8pm, you are invited to stroll the streets for art exhibits, sidewalk sales, live music, dance, and outdoor dining—plus a showcase of Latin American culture at Town Hall!

Ashland Fourth Fridays welcomes Los Regios Dulceria y Neveria to the festivities this month. (Their debut was postponed from July due to extreme heat.) The candy store and ice cream parlor at 109 Washington Highway is a center for Mexican American arts and culture in Ashland. The store features 50 flavors of fresh fruit popsicles! They are also known for daily fresh breads and pastries, custom cakes, balloon bouquets, and a wide selection of piñatas.

Los Regios’ owner, Teresa Lopez de Ocanas of T.Lo Noticias e Información, is a latino community advocate. She will be hosting dancers, musicians, and artists on the Town Hall lawn as part of this month’s Ashland Fourth Fridays celebration. “We will have folkloric dancing from Tradiciones Panamenas, a group from Panama, also food vendors, candies from different countries, and kids bringing jewelry that they made,“ says Lopez.

Don’t miss the multicultural festivities at Ashland Fourth Fridays this month! Visit ashlandfourthfridays.com for more info.

Now Open: 110 Thompson Street

Ashland Dance Academy hosted an Open House on July 22 to mark the beginning of registration for upcoming classes, and to announce the building’s availability as an event space. 110 Thompson Street is now open to the public to rent for meetings, receptions, classes, and dances. The studio brimmed with kids, music, art, and fun!

 Ashland Dance Academy is a children’s dance studio in Downtown Ashland owned by Colette and Tom Maranda. The studio is now enrolling for all genres–ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop–for children ages one to 18. The Open House on July 22 featured dance class demonstrations, face painting, and author Ginger Lee Brooking was on-site signing her children’s book “My Tutu’s Too Too Big.”

When asked about her business, Colette Maranda quoted Twla Tharp saying, “I see dance as glue for a community.” She continued, “Ashland Dance Academy plays such an active role in our community and we cannot wait to share more memorable experiences with our dancers and families.”

For more information about 110 Thompson Street and rental details, visit 110thompson.com.

 For more information about Ashland Dance Academy, visit ashlanddanceacademy.com.