Unique Local Items in Toast of Downtown’s Silent Auction

We’d like to propose a toast - to you! Neighbors like you make Ashland the center of the universe. Toast to a vibrant downtown when you place your bid on unique local delights you can’t find anywhere else. Downtown Ashland Association’s Toast of Downtown online silent auction is open now through Thursday, June 22, 2023.

Hand Painted Sign from the Trackside Grill

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Ashland Theatre Marquee Message

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Hanover Golf Club, Round for 4

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Ashland Haunted History Tour for a Group of 10

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Your Event at The Depot

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RED VEIN HAUNT Fast Pass Tickets for 4

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Ashland Tattoo Company Gift Card and Prints

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RED VEIN Escape 60-minute Game for 8

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Randolph-Macon College Football Fan Experience 

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4 Tickets and FanGround passes to Richmond Raceway

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Membership to the Virginia Museum of History and Culture

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4 tickets to the Fredericksburg Nationals

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Barrel of Bourbon

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Ring Video Doorbell Pro

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Caravati’s Receives the Art McKinney Historic Preservation Award

Caravati’s Architectural Salvage, the family-owned showroom for unique and lovingly restored architectural pieces, is being recognized for breathing new life into the historic 201 England Street location. 

The Art McKinney Historic Preservation Award is awarded to businesses and property owners who have demonstrated good stewardship of Downtown Ashland’s historic structures. Caravati’s rehabilitating and repurposing of a building that has graced Ashland’s main street for over 100 years is deserving of this award.

The site was originally home to the Rawlings Motor Company in 1921. Following a fire in 1931, the location was rebuilt by Burley Pollard Loving and renamed the Loving Motor Company in 1936. The building was passed on to Burley’s daughters, Elizabeth Lee Loving Miller and Beverly Loving Vaughan, who have since passed it on to his granddaughters.

After a few years where it served as a consignment clothing store, Jimmy and Elaine Kastelberg started dreaming of Ashland as the new home for their famous architectural salvage business. Caravati's co-owner Ben Kastelberg explained, “We were very fortunate to be introduced to the owners through a relative. It was the Loving Family who were so gracious to work with us and tailor the renovation to our needs. The old Loving Ford Motor Company building fits our aesthetic so well, and it is a pleasure to occupy.”

Caravati’s officially opened in 2021 following extensive improvements to the historic building. Now celebrating two years in the Center of the Universe, Caravati’s uses the restored space to provide more than just architectural salvage.

“Caravati’s has been a family business for 84 years and it has been my life’s mission to continue, as it was my father’s and great grandfather’s before me.”

— Ben Kastelberg

“The showroom is a space where people who are unaware of our mission can browse and learn how old building materials can be repurposed,” Ben explains. “I hope that this award will increase awareness about what we do and why preserving historic building materials is so important to us.”

Originally located in the City of Richmond, the local family business is well known across our region for unique and expertly restored architectural pieces. Upon moving to Ashland, Caravati’s expanded its showroom and restoration services.

The company provides high-quality antique and vintage architectural pieces salvaged from historic buildings, including hardware, woodwork, wrought iron, brick, lighting, and more. For Ben Kastelberg, the business’s mission is even more personal. “Caravati's has been a family business for 84 years and it has been my life's mission to continue, as it was my father's and great grandfather's before me.”

The Ashland Museum and the Downtown Ashland Association welcome guests to a presentation of the Art McKinney Historic Preservation Stewardship Award at Caravati’s Architectural Salvage on June 21 starting at 5:30 PM. Following the award, guests are invited inside for a discussion of the business’s history. 

Announcing June 23 Ashland Fourth Friday Artists

Ashland Fourth Fridays are back and better than ever! Two new food trucks, three live performances, and three new vendors join the family and pet-friendly festivities Friday, June 23 from 5-8pm. See our full list at AshlandFourthFridays.com

Entertainment by 

5 PM showcase by Ashland Dance Academy inside The Depot
5-8 PM The Fancy Sandwiches at the Ashland Town Hall Pavillion

6 PM line dancing by the Boot Scooters on Ashland Town Hall Lawn

6 PM dance party with Ashland Dance Academy on Ashland Town Hall Lawn

Ashland Museum & the Caboose

Ashland Haunted History Tours

RED VEIN Escape
Ashland Theatre

Eat & Drink:

Ban Thai Noodle
The Henry Clay Inn
Origin Beer Lab

Iron Horse Restaurant
Caboose Market & Cafe

Ashland Meat Company

The Depot
Trackside Kitchen & Wine

SweetFrog

Casa Herradura

Huddle Up Sports Bar

Andy's Restaurant

Tops China

Food trucks:

Cheesaggedon

Mimi's Ice N' Custard

Sugar Florist Bakery

Art:

Refunkit

The Shop at 112

Marigold Art Studio

Created by Catherine

LittleTree Handmade Accessories

Immagine’ LLC

ErAlexica Cards Jewelry and Crafts

PinPaalz

Sweet Heat Candles

Wigglebutts Dog Treats

Untamed Seamstress
Tiny Tim's Trains & Toys
The Asylum

Trinity's Fairy Closet

Part-Time Cryptid

a4ordable beauty Jewelry Accessories, LLC
Ashland Branch Library

Taylored Crafters

AVA Handmade
Be Kurved

Celebrating Hanover Tomatoes with Homemades by Suzanne

Homemades by Suzanne founder and owner Suzanne Wolstenholme with a fresh pie.

Hanover Tomatoes are in season! You know what that means… the Homemades by Suzanne bakery case will be full of fresh tomato selections. “As soon as our farmer suppliers deliver the first box of Hanover Tomatoes, we celebrate with a menu full of them,” exclaims Homemades by Suzanne founder and owner Suzanne Wolstenholme. “Soon after the first deliveries, we begin making Gazpacho. Slices of Hanover tomatoes go on our BLT's and Club Rolls. We stuff them with our chicken salad, shrimp salad, country ham salad, egg salad, and even angel hair pasta salad.”

One of the fastest-selling menu options is Homemades by Suzanne’s deep dish Hanover Tomato Pies. Hundreds of full size Hanover Tomato Pies are baked each season while mini pies are produced for the restaurant’s afternoon tea parties. Advanced orders are already being placed and can be baked in a gluten-free pie crust upon request. “The Hanover Tomato Deep Dish Pie sells out quickly, so ordering ahead is recommended,” encourages Suzanne.

So, what is the secret behind Homemades by Suzanne’s delicious Hanover Tomato bakes? Suzanne says all they need is the highest quality ingredients: Real butter, the finest quality mayonnaise. and of course, fresh grown Hanover Tomatoes. “Some say it is the sandy soil. I think God just likes Hanover best!”

Ashland Fourth Fridays Amplify Artists

Artist Lizzie Brown displays her art beside the train tracks ahead of Ashland Fourth Fridays.

Downtown Ashland has enjoys a vibrant community of artisans–jewelers, painters, designers, entertainers, chefs, farmers, musicians, and more. May 26 through September 22, 2023, Ashland Fourth Fridays events will celebrate local artisans with sidewalk sales, art exhibits, live music, and outdoor dining. Now in its fourth season, some local artists could hardly wait to return to the Center of the Universe for the monthly celebrations.

“People in Ashland are just wonderful. I met people of all ages and backgrounds,” painter Lizzie Brown recalls from Ashland Fourth Friday’s past. “It made me realize that my work is approachable and accessible for everyone. I’m looking forward to coming back to Ashland Fourth Fridays to meet and connect with more people.”

Matt Windham of Ares Creations and Reclaim, pottery by Marisa Keegan and Monique’s Crepes at Ashland Fourth Fridays.

Connection with community and craft is a goal of Ashland Fourth Friday vendor Matt Windham of Ares Creations and Reclaim too. The locally owned and operated Ashland business repurposes salvaged wood so new life can be created using old-world techniques. “Our ancestors handcrafted everything. They didn’t use screws or nails, so it drove me to save what was left behind and make something people would appreciate,” Matt describes. “What excites me the most is when someone says, ‘Wow! I’ve never seen anything like that.’”

Ashland Fourth Fridays guests can discover original art of many genres–from crochet toys, to stained glass, to custom fashions. But that is not all, they can also shake a leg to live music at the freshly constructed Ashland Town Hall Pavilion or dig into delectable dining.

Food truck favorites like Monique’s Crepes and Cheesaggedon are slated to join Ashland Fourth Fridays during the season, as well as new mouthwatering temptations like authentic Greek food by Hellenic Kouzina Greek Cafe and Native American-owned food truck Hungry Hungry Arrow. Downtown Ashland boasts many outdoor dining options, so visitors can enjoy the fun from their seats.

"Ashland is a charming and unique place to visit, and Ashland Fourth Fridays are a great reminder that there is always something new to see here," said Kitty Barnes, Ashland Fourth Fridays organizer and Chief Operating Officer of Red Vein Escape. "In addition to the artists and musicians who bring their talents to the streets, shops and restaurants get a chance to highlight some of their own creations with extended hours, dinner and drink specials, and lots of fun in-shop."

Creatives who are interested in displaying their craft at Ashland Fourth Fridays are encouraged to submit an application. Downtown Ashland Association accepts applications through August. “The fellow Ashland Fourth Fridays vendors are so helpful and easy going,” says Lizzie. “It’s really fun and lots of people come out.”

Mark your calendar and gather your friends at Ashland Fourth Fridays in Downtown Ashland, Virginia! Visit ashlandfourthfridays.com for event info.