Love Where You Live

We are big advocates of the mindset: Love Where You Live.

That is a big factor in why we want to create amazing outdoor living spaces for people to enjoy the outdoors right at home, but we also love the Shenandoah Valley and central Virginia. Living local and buying local builds up our community. This month, we want to highlight some of our favorite local companies with quality service and products that help you live outdoors and impact our community.

Stone Soup Books has been bookselling in the Shenandoah Valley since 2006. We are lucky to have them now in an industrial greenspace in Downtown Waynesboro near the South River. We love their mission of connecting people with stories. They also have an expansive selection of gardening and permaculture books. Half of the net profits from those select books goes to supporting the Virginia Association for Biological Farming (VABF) in their mission to support organic farming and gardening.

Milmont Garden Center and Greenhouses started with humble beginnings in Stuarts Draft in 1973 and has grown to be a landmark visit for gardens in the Valley and beyond. They are a wonderful resource for garden knowledge. They have a wide variety of flowers, vegetable plants, trees and lots of garden needs like soil and nutrients. You can also browse their selection of garden accessories.

The Shear Family is passionate about quality baked bread. Seasons’ Yield Farm is a family-centric Bakery and Farm in the Shenandoah Valley. They host bread days twice a month out at their farm in Raphine and with wood fired bread, pastries and coffee. Their mission is to connect the community with nourishing products, wonderful people, and the crafts of talented local artisans. Check out their website to pre-order bread and for hosted events.

We couldn’t help but share about our new neighbors Blanc Creatives. We are amazed at their stunning craftsmanship in their handcrafted cookware, knives and bar accessories. We love how meals bring people together to build community and what better way than on locally crafted cookware and serving tools.

Friends of almost two decades decided to start a hammock company and get a little more whimsy out of life. Skylark Hammocks are hand-crafted in the Shenandoah Valley. They believe that wanderlust is contagious and Skylark Hammocks would like nothing more than to accompany you on your next epic hang.

Blue Ridge Bucha has been handcrafting delicious kombucha in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia since 2010. They are a family business committed to quality and a mission of sustainability. The have big flavor with a small footprint.

Valley Scents is a family run homemade bath products. Made in small batches to help soothe the mind, body, heart and soul. Products include bath bombs, salt soak, salt & sugar scrubs and more. We love the natural products, especially the homemade bug spray and natural itch and inflammation relief from bug bites or poison ivy.

Rockfish Gap Outfitters has been serving the Virginia outdoors community and Appalachian Trail hikers since 1987. With lots of variety of gear for backpackers, bicyclists, campers, paddlers and hikers, they will help you enjoy your next trip in the great outdoors. staff is made up of experienced outdoors-folk who love to help you find just what you need to make the most of your adventures.

Need some motivation to be active outside? Run the Valley hosts excellent road running and walking events in the Valley. They host events at varied times throughout the year to help you set goals, be active, and enjoy the beauty of our area. Check out their website to pick a running or walking event for you.