Meals on Wheels Delivers Delight to Doorsteps

As Meals on Wheels approaches its 50th anniversary next year, the organization continues to be a pillar of community support in Lynchburg, serving individuals of all ages and income levels. Founded in 1974, the program relies on the dedication of volunteers and local fundraising efforts to provide nourishing meals and essential connections to those in need. 

Kris Shabestar, executive director for Meals on Wheels, said the organization is a community-supported entity that takes pride in meeting the needs of the local population. Unlike other programs that rely on state or federal funding, Meals on Wheels operates independently, enabling them to serve a diverse range of individuals without restrictions. From the youngest recipient at 23 to the oldest at 102, the program is committed to delivering sustenance and support to all who require it.

When government funding often comes with strict regulations and limitations, the nonprofit stands apart as a beacon of independence and discretion. Becky Tweedy, the organization’s communications director, emphasized their unique position, highlighting the freedom they have to use their discernment and adapt to the diverse needs of their recipients.

“There are unique situations that can cause someone to be homebound and we’re able to step in and fill that gap because there is a gap,” she said. “Last year 18 percent of the people we served were under the age of 60 and if we weren’t here to do that, then they wouldn’t have a resource.”

Meals on Wheels does not accept any government funding, Tweedy said, which grants them the liberty to navigate each situation individually and provide the necessary support.

The organization prides itself on its ability to respond swiftly in times of crisis. Shabestar said the organization remains agile and nimble, ready to provide assistance when unexpected situations arise. Through their emergency meals program, they ensure that anyone facing a crisis within their service area receives a meal the very next day. 

“Life happens and crazy things happen,” she said. “We are here for those crazy situations. If there’s a crisis, we can deliver a meal the next day.”

Covering 42 routes across the city of Lynchburg and Amherst and Campbell counties, Meals on Wheels relies on the dedication of volunteers to make their mission a reality. The delivery routes typically take between an hour and an hour and a half to complete, allowing volunteers to contribute their time based on their availability. 

Some volunteers commit to weekly deliveries, while others opt for monthly or occasional shifts. The flexibility and convenience of volunteering make it accessible to anyone who wishes to contribute, Tweedy said.

Tweedy estimates that they rely on the commitment of approximately 108 to 150 individuals. Each new route requires 10 to 12 volunteers, underscoring the perpetual need for volunteers to ensure Meals on Wheels can continue expanding its reach.

She said volunteers often find fulfillment in knowing they are making an immediate and meaningful difference in someone’s life. Recipients, many of whom are isolated and lack family support, greatly appreciate the door-to-door interactions and the assurance that someone genuinely cares for their well-being.

“So many of the people we serve are isolated and many of them do not have any family connections or support,” Tweedy said. “Many of our recipients do not have an emergency contact on file and if they don’t answer the door, you can bet your bottom dollar we’re calling and following up or
going to the hospital. That sort of isolation can just be devastating.”

Beyond the nutritious meals, the Meals on Wheels program serves as a vital safety check
and a meaningful connection to the community for its recipients. 

“It’s a reason to get up in the morning, it’s a reason to read the paper, it’s a reason to listen to the news. It’s someone to talk to about your interests and your habits and your activities,” Shabestar said. “People ask, ‘How’s your dog?’ ‘How’d your doctor’s appointment go?’ Relationships are absolutely vital and that is why we do so much more than just deliver meals.”

Meals on Wheels goes above and beyond the delivery of meals, recognizing the importance of uplifting recipients’ spirits during special occasions. Birthday boxes, poinsettia deliveries during the holidays, and heartfelt cards from community members demonstrate the organization’s commitment to fostering joy and a sense of belonging. 

“A couple of years ago we did a survey of our recipients and 85 percent of those said they feel better, healthier, and stronger because they get Meals on Wheels, and it’s not just the food, it is the relationship we build,” she said. “One lady said this is the only present I will receive this year. Another lady said this was the first present she’s gotten in 20 years.”

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the demand for Meals on Wheels services. They are currently delivering 65 percent more meals than before the pandemic.

While the organization has been able to expand its reach and impact, the need for more volunteers, financial support, and advocates remains critical, Shabestar said.

“We definitely need more volunteers,” she said. “Everyone can do something. We need financial support and we need advocates. There’s a real misunderstanding about what we do, and who we can serve.”

According to Tweedy, the cost of delivering a meal through the organization is approximately $5.49, totaling around $27 per week, $110 per month, and $1,300 per year. She added that it is also noteworthy that 56 percent of the people served by Meals on Wheels live at or below the poverty level. Over 80 percent of these recipients receive their meals at no cost, while 8 to 10 percent contribute what they can afford. The organization operates on a sliding scale, allowing individuals to make a meaningful investment in their care, avoiding the stigma of accepting pure charity.

Shabestar said Meals on Wheels is not solely a long-term commitment but can also be a temporary solution during recovery periods, ensuring individuals regain their independence swiftly.

Recognizing the importance of companionship, the organization has also implemented an animal program. Pets serve as vital companions, particularly for those living alone. Additionally, Meals on Wheels accepts donations of cat food to ensure that pets remain well-fed, thereby alleviating the financial burden for lower-income individuals who might otherwise share their own meals with their furry friends.

“We found that they were sharing their meals, which is not healthy for the person, so we accept donations of pet food, which is collected at a number of veterinary clinics and other sites around town,” Tweedy said.

In September, the organization will serve its three-millionth meal, a major milestone,
Shabestar said.

“We’re delivering right now just under 600 meals a day,” she said. “We deliver every day, 52 weeks a year, even holidays, and that’s all due to volunteers and this community stepping up.”  

Vintage Stores Offering Style and Sustainability

Many people would still prefer to read a paperback rather than an e-reader or capture a touching moment on film rather than on their phone’s camera. Certain things never lose their charm or the experience they give.

Even buying clothes can provide a fun and nostalgic experience for savvy shoppers. While thrift stores are nothing new, the appreciation for vintage clothing is on the rise. For many, thrifting is much more than finding a great deal on clothes. It can be a way to engage in more sustainable consumerism, or to create a signature look that is unlikely to be replicated with the clothes of today.

Tastes in fashion vary from person to person, but there are plenty of options in some of Lynchburg’s newer vintage and thrift stores. Each has its own way of keeping unique styles alive, while also making culturally conscious business choices. 

Mission Thrift

A collaborative project of Freedom 4/24 and Sports Outreach Institute, Mission Thrift is a store dedicated to offering the community an affordable place to shop for many essentials, while also supporting other nonprofits.

“Our goal is to be very collaborative and very community-focused,” Mission Thrift Manager Faith Towles said.

Located on Bedford Ave. in a former Food Lion building, Mission Thrift officially opened January 14, and has seen a consistent crowd ever since.

“We really are seeing the community, as a whole, come in the door,” Towles said.

The building is spacious enough to have several distinct sections for various household items, clothes, and even an entirely different wing of the building dedicated to furniture and large appliances such as refrigerators or ovens.

“We are an avenue for people to not throw away things. It’s amazing what items we get in,” Towles said.

Mission Thrift offers no-charge pickups for anyone wishing to give away furniture or appliances.

Although Mission Thrift offers a variety of products, Towles says that clothing is undoubtedly the biggest seller. Despite the sheer amount of clothing they take in, Mission Thrift still adheres to standards of quality to ensure customers also receive a great product.

According to Towles, if a clothing item is deemed unusable for any reason, it is packed away to be passed along to Mission Thrift’s clothing and textile recycler. The clothes stay out of the landfill and the materials can be given to communities with urgent needs around the world. To date, Mission Thrift has recycled 36,000 pounds of clothing.

Empire Fleet Vintage

With a greater focus on clothing, Empire Fleet Vintage boasts a unique array of styles and time periods on its racks. Owner Lisa Jonas opened the store May 2021, to accommodate her desire to start a business and her love for thrifting.

Part of Jonas’ goal in highlighting vintage clothing is to help combat the waste that “fast fashion” can cause.

“We don’t want to ever look down on people trying to rock their own fashion, but we like to encourage this idea of looking for pieces that are recycled, making it a little more sustainable,” she said.

Aside from the benefits of sustainability, what makes something vintage, as opposed to just secondhand, is the quality that it is made with—quality that is rarely found in modern clothing, according to Jonas.

“Having those time capsules from different periods is also really fun.”

She often gathers pieces for the store that she feels have some unique quality, but still keeps the store stocked with items with broad appeal.

“We do try to keep it curated to a degree that you don’t have to look too hard to find something that suits you,” Jonas explained.

The variety of styles at Empire Fleet is due, in part, to Jonas’ collaboration with other vintage consignors. She finds other people in the community who shop for vintage and offers them an avenue for their respective businesses.

“When they find their treasures, they can resell them here,” she said.

A+ Attire

While there is likely some cliché about couples who thrift together, Felix and Megan Guevara of A+ Attire prove there must be something to the success that their teamwork has provided.

Although you’ll sooner find A+ Attire at a community market pop-up rather than a traditional storefront, Megan also works at Empire Fleet Vintage, so some of her finds can be found there. The A+ team does business wherever they can and have made thrifting a part of their lives.

“Most of everything we’ve owned—furniture-wise, housing-wise, clothing-wise—has been thrifted,” Megan said.

Megan and Felix started A+ Attire just under two years ago. The company is named after their daughter Ainsley, whose blood type also happens to be A positive. However, the A+ also refers to the quality they seek in their repurposed clothes.

“We love to reuse and not let a lot of things go to waste,” Felix said.

Fortunately, after such a short time in business, Felix says that A+ found a degree of success early on.

“There’s a good market for it here in town. It’s an emerging market,” Felix said.

A+ likely has the most specialized vintage wear of the previously mentioned vintage stores—they specialize in vintage t-shirts and hats.

Imagining some of your old t-shirts or hats, you may not see the appeal of A+’s inventory at first, however, much like Empire Fleet, they look for items that stand the test of time and have unique qualities.

“We’re repurposing everything. That’s a big part of it, is repurposing,” Megan said.

Much of A+’s business comes from direct communications with the vintage community and their customers, who, at times, have very specific requests. Felix says that if a customer has a request, they “don’t have to put in the legwork.” Felix hunts down the requested item and notifies the customer when they’ve found it.

Megan recalls one of their more unique finds was a red satin jacket used in the 1960s-1970s television series Dark Shadows. “That was probably one of my favorite finds, to this day.”

Both Megan and Felix agree that they love finding something unique that a customer gets excited about. Continued research and discoveries into unique clothes have been a mainstay of A+’s business.

“We know infinitely more than we did a year ago. Our tastes have refined,” Felix said.  

For many newly engaged couples, wedding planning seems like a dream—until you are faced with dozens of choices all at once. From the venue to the dress (and all of those little details in between), it’s hard to know where to start!

We are here to help. Our Best Of Bridal Picks list tells you who recent brides and members of their wedding parties recommend in 27 categories. Read below to see who made the list!

Earth Right Mid-Atlantic emphasizes honesty and transparency in reaching Virginia residents

Through educating Virginia residents on the importance of energy efficiency and providing them with the resources necessary to make it a reality, Earth Right Mid-Atlantic aims to serve the community with honesty and integrity.

Earth Right Mid-Atlantic, based in Lynchburg, provides a variety of different energy options for homeowners as well as small businesses. Founded in 2019 by current CEO and owner Corey Argentino, the business provides citizens across the state of Virginia with affordable energy options.

According to the company’s website, its mission is “that through honest and transparent conversations, we make energy efficiency improvements and solar solutions simple and affordable so that you and others can reap the benefits of smarter, cleaner energy.”

One of the ways in which the company aims to complete this mission is through installing custom designed home solar panel systems.

“The advantage with solar is it gives [customers] the opportunity to control their costs,” Argentino said. “Solar gives them an opportunity to produce their own power and also take advantage of the federal tax credits that are out there for the consumers.”

Despite the work that the company does with solar power, Argentino stressed that solar energy is only one of the services that the business provides to customers. Before the company looks at installing solar panels, workers first assess the home with thermal imaging to find any energy inefficiencies. Argentino noted that doing so helps determine how many solar panels will be needed while also finding ways to provide further long-term comfort to the residents.

“A lot of people, when they want to install solar on their house, just look at, ‘Hey, this is how many solar panels I need.’ But the goal is really to make the house energy-efficient first,” Argentino said. “By making the house energy efficient, you will need fewer solar panels and solve all of the internal energy issues. So, it’s really important to focus on the efficiency of the home when considering solar.”

For customers not eligible for solar options, the company provides other options for energy efficiency to ensure that they too are not wasting energy and operating efficiently in their homes.

With a wide range of both domestic and international energy companies available to homeowners, Earth Right Mid-Atlantic sets itself apart from the competition by properly informing customers of exactly what they are paying for and helping them select the best options.

“So many people are not educated when it comes to the solar industry and they’re being tricked and talked into something they may not be fully educated about,” Argentino said. “We take a different approach. We educate all of our consumers first. Education is key. We’ve got to make sure they understand what they are doing and that’s really important to understand what they’re getting themselves into, if it makes sense for them, or doesn’t make sense for them.”

“We take a different approach here than just ‘slam it down your throat, here you go.’ We give you all the options and all the resources upfront to make an educated decision,” Argentino explains.

“The whole point is for someone to have someone to talk to after the fact, to work with them and answer their questions,” Argentino added, noting that many of the company’s competitors have recently gone out of business due to a lack of communication with customers. “We put more of our effort in post-sale rather than we do presale because we believe that that’s the most important part. Our reviews tell the story.”

Earth Right Mid-Atlantic is currently headquartered on a 4.5-acre property on Timberlake Rd. and is finishing up construction on an educational, interactive solar energy showroom. Housed in a 19,000-square-foot building formerly used by Point Source Audio, this addition allows potential customers to see firsthand how the company operates as well as witness the power of improved energy options. Instead of simply being an impersonal company that consumers cannot interact with, Earth Right Mid-Atlantic makes it easy to visit them in person and contact them with any questions. 

In addition to the sales side of the operation, Argentino also emphasizes giving back to the community and partnering with local humanitarian organizations. Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Young Life, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Forest Youth Athletic Association, and others, Earth Right Mid-Atlantic provides a helping hand to those in need. 

This can especially be seen through the business’s recent donation of a solar energy system to the Forest Youth Athletic Association.

“We have a lot of employees here in Lynchburg and we’ve created our own little community. We do a lot of stuff within the community,” Argentino continued. “We donate to a lot of charities within the town. We really believe in putting a lot of our resources back into our own community. We do a lot of that here. We sponsor a lot of events. We provide a good living for people that live here.”

As the company continues to grow and thrive, it receives greater recognition on both the local and national levels. In February, Inc.com announced that Earth Right Mid-Atlantic is one of the fastest growing businesses in the country. This accomplishment demonstrates the effort that the business has put into being successful.

By relying on homeowner education, the business continues to receive support in the Lynchburg community and beyond.   

Be Kind Gallery 101 Cultivates a Caring and Inclusive Community for Creatives

Viewed from different lenses, a single work of art can tell innumerable stories.

Art possesses a singular ability to speak to different people in different ways, and that is part of its power. That being said, there is also great power in an artist’s intent, in the often deeply personal message they seek to share. At Be Kind Gallery 101, both interpretation and intent are given space, thus creating an atmosphere where creativity, conversations, and connections thrive.

Be Kind Gallery 101 was founded by Stability X, an artist and veteran who sustained traumatic brain injuries after jumping out of airplanes during her service in the 82nd Airborne Division in North Carolina. When she decided to leave the military so she could better care for her daughter, X was met with little support.

“I sustained multiple traumatic brain injuries doing those jumps and decided, as a single mother, that I needed to stop so that I could have some cognitive abilities to take care of my daughter,” X said.

“She is, overall, top mission. I needed to do what was best at that time for my health and for my daughter’s safety. I did not get a positive reaction from my leadership when I made that decision. I could no longer perform human resources work, which had been my job for nine years, to the best of my abilities because traumatic brain injuries affect your executive functioning skills. I ended up getting disability compensation, but it wasn’t enough to take care of my daughter and me.”

X started a stationery notebook company to bring in some more income but discovered that the burnout resulting from being an entrepreneur with brain trauma made the situation untenable.

In addition to dealing with financial struggles due to lack of support, X was also dealing with isolation.

“When you’re in the military, you’re part of a team of soldiers,” she remarked.

“You are rarely isolated. When you’re a veteran out in the community, if you’re not with a company that has six or seven other employees in your immediate vicinity, you can feel immediately isolated… What I want people to understand about veterans, especially those recovering from injuries, is that it’s important
to reach out. Talk to them, ask them about their journeys, and see how you can help introduce them to different resources and organizations.”

These experiences, paired with X’s long-standing love of and talent for art, led her to open Be Kind Gallery 101 in March. She currently invests her disability compensation into the gallery, and her ultimate goal is to attain 501(c)(3) status.

“I wanted people to know that I was trying,” she said of her decision to open the gallery. “I wanted to say, ‘This is how I’m trying. Come in and ask me questions, and let’s talk about it.

See how I’m still working.’ Veterans who are injured don’t get enough compensation nine times out of ten, and they still have to work. This is how I choose to work.”

X and her partner, John Rose, are both artists with unique styles. Rose likes to incorporate found objects that are often perceived as trash, such as empty beer cans, into his art, thus giving them new life. “I feel like I’m still discovering myself as an artist, and I feel like you always need to be open to evolving as an artist,” he noted. “It’s an ongoing process.”

X is a mixed-media artist. “Including pictures that are already made can give more of a story to a piece and inspire more conversation about a piece,” she said. “I enjoy doing the ‘unordinary’ when it comes to art. Often when you go into galleries—to this day—you’re just seeing paintings. I want the mixed-media niche to expand.”

In addition to showcasing a wide array of styles and mediums, Be Kind Gallery 101 invites artists of all skill levels to share and sell their work as space allows. “I want to bring awareness that this is a space that’s not going to say, ‘We’ll consider your work when we do another exhibition,’” X noted. “Bring in your work, and as long as we have the wall space, we will hang it up.”

Providing a safe and welcoming space for artists to share their stories through their work and for visitors to browse, talk, and shop is the gallery’s primary mission. Rose says that he “would like to help people find confidence in who they are as artists and as people,” and X hopes that coming to the gallery will provide people with a sense of refuge.

“Coming into this space is a break from what’s going on out there,” she remarked. “There is so much consumption and consumerism. You don’t have to buy anything when you come in here. You can just look and explore. I think we need more spaces like this where you don’t feel pressured. Giving that refuge is so rewarding to me, as is having people ask questions about the art.”

X can personally attest to the triple-fold power of creating, sharing, and talking to others about one’s own art. One of her pieces took 18 hours to create. “Every hour that I spent making it, I knew that it was helping me to get it all out and not keep it bottled up,” she said. “I want my art to get me in good trouble.”
With its intentional and inclusive approach, Be Kind Gallery 101 is undoubtedly fostering invaluable connection and bringing much-needed awareness to talented local artists.

“I want people to know more artists the way that we know Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Justin Bieber,” said X. “We need to know painters and sculptors. Our experiences need to be shared and spoken about.”

Whether you choose to enter the gallery as a storyteller or an interpreter, you will likely empower others to share their stories. Together, our stories paint a beautiful picture—or perhaps, more accurately, create a dynamic and powerful mixed-media piece.

For a lot of people, their dogs are their children and when they leave for work for the day or have a laundry list of errands to run, they want their fur babies to have the best quality of life while they’re away.

That’s where K-9 Cloud 9 comes in.

Theresa Bryan was working in corporate sales and had two dogs that she wanted day care for. When she found nothing available in the city, she decided to take matters into her own hands and open her own facility.

“I was successful in my corporate career and thought I could be successful for myself instead of a corporate company,” she said.

She opened the business in March 2019 in The Plaza Shopping Center on Memorial Avenue. She wanted it to be a place where there would be exceptional customer service, care, and straightforward pricing.

The business provides boarding services, dog day care, nail trims, and WebCam viewing so owners can watch their dogs having fun playing with their furry friends.

Bryan believes there’s no place like home, but should you need to leave your dog overnight, the K-9 Cloud 9 team is trained to pamper your dog so time away from home is as comfortable as possible.

Bryan said she is also working on hiring a groomer in the future.

K-9 Cloud 9 is an indoor center, which Bryan said is great for dogs because it’s safer and cleaner.

“Our format is a little different than most daycares because the dogs do play out most of the day, versus being caged most of the day with short potty breaks,” she said. “That’s what most centers do and our dogs are just out the whole day and they really get the chance to make friends and be very rambunctious and get all their energy out.”

She said it’s ideal for owners who want their dogs to be more social with other dogs and can learn proper manners.

“Dogs have a lot of energy and unless you’re going to take your dog on a 45-minute run every day, you’re never going to exhaust your dog,” she said. “So dogs that have an opportunity to socialize and be in a structure-free environment are generally happier dogs.”

The business also offers early drop off and late pick up for those who are working 12 hour shifts like nurses and doctors, Bryan said.

“Their dogs can have just as much fun and they don’t have to worry about not being able to take their dog anywhere because their shift work doesn’t allow that,” she said.

Jordan Miller, a Lynchburg resident, has been taking his lively lab-mix, Ruby, to K-9’s daycare for four days a week since it opened.
Every morning, he says “You want to go play with friends?” and Ruby’s ears perk up because she knows that she’s about to go play all day with other doggos.

Miller said 5-year-old Ruby has a phenomenal personality and is the best dog he’s ever had, so just like most other owners who have full-time jobs, he wanted to make sure she was in a trusted and safe environment while he’s away from her.

“We wanted a safe, happy, and convenient place that we could take Ruby because you want to make sure they’re going to a very, very nice place,” he said.

“We wanted a safe, happy, and convenient place that we could take Ruby because you want to make sure they’re going to a very, very nice place,” he said.

As soon as Miller walked into K-9 Cloud 9 in 2019, Bryan offered a tour and informed Miller about the company’s practices.

“She made us feel extremely comfortable with leaving Ruby,” he said. “I trust them completely. They have a great team and when I drop off Ruby I know she’s going to be in a good place and I can just have that completely off my mind while I go to work.”

By Friday, Ruby sleeps all day because she’s gotten all of her energy out between Monday and Thursday, Miller said.

“If dogs don’t use up their energy at doggy daycare, they will use it in a disruptive way,” he said.

Miller has been so pleased with the services at the daycare, he has referred multiple people there because it’s been such an ideal place to drop his fur baby off each week.

“It’s been very integral to my family’s lifestyle,” he said.

Just like daycare for children, K-9 Cloud 9 does activities like nose prints for Mother’s Day and photo magnets for Christmas. In August, the dogs will pose for back-to-school photos.

Owning a business has taught Bryan to stay flexible, be willing to make changes, go with the flow, and listen to employees.

“We have such a fabulous team and being the owner of a business is so much easier when I have great employees and I have such a great team working there,” she said. “I’ve been really lucky in the fact that I’ve been able to hire people who have a lot of experience in veterinary and shelter work.”

She said her team loves the dogs like they are their own and she knows she can rely on them to know the best interest and safety of the animals.

“Our team is so dedicated to the dogs coming there, being safe, and having a great time, and I think the owners can really tell that when they pick up their dogs that their dogs love it.”

The Farm Basket Thrives Under New Ownership

Since purchasing The Farm Basket last summer, Alex Wood and her husband, Sackett, have made a few changes to the beloved Langhorne Road gift shop and café—but to the delight of many customers, the pimento cheese remains the same.

Wood closed the shop for a couple of months to make way for interior and exterior renovations before reopening last October 1.

The Woods purchased the property from Rie and Eddie Godsey and their dining and catering company, Meriwether Godsey. They are the third owners in the shop’s 57-year history.

Wood was working doing interior design—mainly residential—but said she always wanted to own her own home décor shop with a mix of old and new items.

“The previous owners of the Farm Basket were looking to sell, and they wanted the business to continue running similarly but not exactly the same,” she said. “It’s such a historical landmark in Lynchburg, and I grew up coming here. The owners approached us and asked if we would be interested, and I was so excited before I even really thought it through.”

Wood said owning the shop is a more extensive endeavor than she had originally envisioned.

“I knew there was a café and I had eaten here many times, but the restaurant is much more of a daily demand than I initially realized,” she remarked.

As such, Wood immediately hired a manager for the café and said that was the best thing she could have done.

The previous owners sold pretty much all of the inventory before Wood took over, leaving a mostly empty slate for her to work with.

First, she had to learn quickly about the timing and quantity of ordering inventory.

“I went to market in July, which was critical,” she noted. “We got all the new inventory, but inventory is hard to come by right now and it was late. Usually you place Christmas orders in January and we didn’t do it until July. I didn’t know how silly I was to think that.

I didn’t even have it on my schedule on the calendar.”

She also learned the vast importance of certain inventory. She looked around at what was working in the store and what wasn’t necessarily flying off the shelves.

“I initially thought, ‘Wow, there’s not enough room for baby and dog [items],’ and it turns out those are major gifts and are an important part of the business,” she said. “Those things didn’t seem important to me at first. I had to kind of get in there and figure that out.”

Thankfully, most of the staff stayed on and helped guide Wood in those first few months.

She also hired some new employees who had been working in retail stores that closed due to COVID-19.

“I feel like I nailed the whole hiring part,” she said. “Everybody’s been so good.”

Under Wood’s ownership, three local businesses have found a secondary home at The Farm Basket.

Golf Park Coffee opened another location in the shop, Thistle Ridge Farm will sell vegetables out of the gazebo in the parking lot during the warmer months, and Sackett Wood will bring in some pieces of furniture, bags, and accessories for the front retail space from his employer, leather goods company Moore & Giles.

Plans are in place to repave the parking lot this summer. Once that project is complete, electricity and water will be installed in the gazebo.

New jewelry lines have also been introduced along with a small capsule line of clothing. Wood said the clothing selection will be highly specialized because those sales are pretty narrow in the shop, which has limited space.

The café keeps The Farm Basket steady, which comes as no surprise. Customers continue coming back for not only the pimento cheese, chicken salad, and various sandwiches and soups, but also for the tranquil backdrop of the Blackwater Creek in the shop’s backyard, where picnic tables adorn the lawn.

“It’s always been a great café and there’s nothing like the setting and nothing like sitting by the river on a beautiful day,” noted Wood. “I think our food has gotten even better, though, and we have some of the best sandwiches in Lynchburg.”

She hopes that with the help of a newly launched website, The Farm Basket will reach people from all over the country and will be the place shoppers go for that perfect piece for their home or for their wedding registries.

“I’d like to be more of a destination for people to just come in and look for their own home and a really great gift,” Wood said. “I do think we’ve really carefully curated what we have here and I think our offerings are some of the best. You don’t need to go to Charlottesville to get a great gift.”

She is working on bringing in inventory that can only be found at the shop, such as Supergoop, a skincare and sunscreen line.

“I’m hoping to bring in more lines like that that aren’t found anywhere else in Lynchburg,” she remarked.

At the end of the day, Wood wants the shop to evolve and add fresh inventory while also continuing to offer tried-and-true products.

“I think if people haven’t tried The Farm Basket in a while or they don’t know what’s back there, they should just stop in and just check it out because it’s pretty special,” she said.

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By Olivia Carter | Photos by Ashlee Glen

Soup 22 Will Serve Lynchburg Community One Bowl at a Time

There’s something about a steaming bowl of soup that makes one feel all warm inside, literally and figuratively. This summer, Michelle Ayers is bringing that feeling to downtown Lynchburg with her new soup shop, Soup 22.

The significance of Soup 22’s name goes beyond the year it’s being opened. Twenty-two is a very special number in Ayers’ life: it’s her birthday and the opening day of Soup 22, June 22. Throughout her life, the number has been a sign that she is on the right track.

“Twenty-two has kind of been a confirmation between God and me,” Ayers said. “Any time I’m struggling or overwhelmed, God kind of shows me confirmation in twenty-twos. It’s just always been a positive thing for me to know to keep moving forward and keep pursuing my dreams.”

One of her longstanding dreams has been to open a soup shop.

“I’ve just always wanted to have a soup shop,” she noted. “Out of everything I’ve done, this is probably the thing I’ve been wanting to do for the longest time.”

Ayers is no stranger to the food business; it has been a part of her life for the past 20 years. She has owned a couple restaurants and continues to run Purple Door Gourmet Kitchen and Catering here in Lynchburg.

Faithful customers of Ayers will notice some similarities between Purple Door and Soup 22: sandwiches, salads, mini charcuterie boxes, and desserts will be offered to accompany the soups.

“There will be a feel of Purple Door, an extension of Purple Door,” she said. “I think when people come in and taste the food and recognize the style, they’re definitely going to think of Purple Door.”

Twenty types of soups will be available year-round, from chicken noodle to Brunswick stew. Some fundamental soups will be on the menu regularly, along with soups that will be switched out depending on the season. During the summer, chilled soup options will be available.

No matter what they order, customers will be able to get their food fast with Soup 22’s grab-and-go setup. Additionally, customers will be able to place orders online and pick them up at the shop.

“Everything is going to be made fresh every morning, but in a grab-and-go style,” noted Ayers. “That’s going to take up a good part of the floor space. I want us to be able to serve a lot of customers and serve them quickly.”

After having lived downtown for eight years, the area holds a special place in Ayers’ heart.

“It lends itself to good street traffic and walking traffic, which I think will be really good for the residents downtown,” she said. “People who work downtown will be able to stop and get soup on their way back to their offices.”

Another reason Ayers chose the downtown location was its proximity to Lynchburg Daily Bread. Soup 22 will be providing more than just soup: one dollar from every soup sale will be donated to the nonprofit, which serves free lunch to those in need seven days a week. Ayers has seen the positive effects that have come from Daily Bread.

“They serve a lot of different purposes,” she noted. “There are a lot of things that go into running an organization like that. I think that raising money for them—and not just giving them food—will be very helpful.”

Ayers hopes to see Soup 22 have a positive impact on the Lynchburg community. She is looking forward to seeing customers warm up with a cup of soup on chilly fall and winter days in the future.

“Soup is a comfort food,” she said. “It literally warms the soul.”

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By Ellowyn Steele | Photos by Ashlee Glen