As Lynchburg’s Long-Awaited Riverfront Park Amphitheater Nears Completion, Excitement Builds for a Venue Poised to Reshape the City’s Cultural and Economic Landscape.

By: Olivia Carter / Photos Courtesy: City of Lynchburg

After years of anticipation, construction, and community chatter, Lynchburg’s Riverfront Park Amphitheater is entering its final stretch toward completion.

The city of Lynchburg chose Mason Lane Entertainment to operate, run, and program the venue and its President and Owner, Ty McBride, is already envisioning what the amphitheater will mean not just for downtown, but for all of Central Virginia.

According to McBride, the amphitheater’s physical progress is moving quickly.

“The structure—the amphitheater itself—[it neared completion] in December,” he said, adding that final details will follow soon after. “We’ll probably have a punch list of things to get done in January, some testing that will go on.”

The timeline places the venue on track for its first public events in spring 2026, something McBride says he’s eager to deliver.

“Our goal is to do a couple of free shows, or at least one free show in April,” he said. “It’s a soft opening so we can test everything out.”

Full-scale, ticketed performances are expected to kick off in May.

Though the venue will undoubtedly serve local residents, McBride sees its reach extending far beyond Lynchburg city limits.

“This thing is going to be incredible.

It’s going to change how people view Lynchburg from a city itself,” he said. “People are going to come from Roanoke and Charlottesville to see shows here because they won’t be able to see them there.”

That broad appeal will come from a programming slate designed to cross genres, decades, and energy levels.

“We’ll bring all different types of programs—country, Americana, rock and roll, some old-school 80s type music, yacht rock—different genres for different people,” he said.

From national touring acts to multi-day festival concepts, he expects the venue to become a lively entry on regional concert calendars.

Lynchburg already has a roster of annual events, and McBride emphasized that Mason Lane doesn’t intend to disrupt that harmony.

“There’s already a lot of local, established events here in Lynchburg and they’re going to continue to be on the calendar. We’re not necessarily trying to rearrange things here,” he said.

Instead, he plans to partner with them and ensure the amphitheater complements, rather than replaces, existing community traditions.

He also hopes to plan new festivals with a local flavor.

“We might tie [local acts] into a blues festival or a jazz festival, maybe even connect it with food,” McBride said, adding that ideas range from barbecue festivals to oyster-themed events. “When you connect food and music together, it brings people together.”

Even emerging Lynchburg musicians aren’t off the table.

“We can put [local bands] on stage and really help them elevate their platform a little bit,” he said.

Some residents have wondered how the amphitheater will fit alongside existing venues like the Academy Center of the Arts. McBride says the relationship is friendly and collaborative.

“I’ve already met with them and we discussed exactly that—how do we not interfere with what they have going on versus them not interfering with us? We’ll work together. We’ll share schedules, and really just enhance each other more than compete,” he said.

While the venue is new, its design pays homage to Lynchburg’s past. McBride pointed out several details that make the amphitheater stand out architecturally.
“In the brick wall that’s on the back of the stage, the inlay is all historical brick from Lynchburg buildings,” he said.

“And then the front of the stage at the base, it’s all historic cobblestone from Lynchburg streets.”

He also highlighted the acoustical engineering.

“The arch of the stage itself is designed to push sound out. It’s incredibly sturdy. A hurricane won’t take that place out,” he said.

Parking and accessibility have long been hot topics downtown and McBride didn’t shy away from acknowledging the logistical realities.

“Parking is going to be a challenge,” he said, “But we have some solutions in place. We’re going to help with that through some shuttling. We’re working with the city on different plans.”

Still, he believes Lynchburg’s residents will adapt quickly once they develop their own concert-night routines—arriving early, grabbing dinner, exploring downtown, and lingering afterward.

“It will become part of the Lynchburg life, so to speak,” he said. And in doing so, it will amplify the visibility of existing businesses.
“It will open everybody’s eyes to these other great places.”

McBride said the amphitheater’s impact extends beyond live entertainment.

“This will actually become an economic generator for other businesses and for other companies to come to Lynchburg,” he said.

Companies scouting new cities look at the overall quality of life for their employees and a venue like this, he said, “puts a big stamp on Lynchburg.”

Consumer spending on experiences like events and festivals is the most efficient way to generate local tax revenue, both in direct spending on ticket sales but also indirectly to generate meals, sales and lodging revenue, Anna Bentson, Director of Communications & Public Engagement for the City of Lynchburg said.

“For example, $500 spent at a Lynchburg big box store generates $5 in sales tax for the locality,” she said. “The same $500 spent on experiences — at hotels, restaurants, and on event tickets — would generate about $39 worth of tax revenue. That kind of return—generated by those coming into the City to spend money—helps to relieve pressure on our existing local tax base and residents.”

According to the 2022 Economic Impact of Visitors in Virginia by Tourism Economics, spending by visitors to Lynchburg saved each Lynchburg household about $880 in annual state and local tax collections.

According to the Americans for the Arts’ Arts & Economic Prosperity report, when people attend a cultural event, they also spend on other activities—dining at a restaurant, paying for parking or public transportation, enjoying dessert after the show, and returning home to pay for child or pet care, Bentson said.

Based on the 224,677 audience surveys conducted for this study, the typical attendee spends $38.46 per person per event, in addition to the cost of event admission. Those who travel from out of town to attend arts or cultural entertainment events spend more, an average of more than $60 per person.

Bottom line, more visitors to the destination increases spending in restaurants, retail, transportation, lodging, and more associated with event attendance, across the city.

Despite running a Charlotte-based company, McBride has been coming to Lynchburg for about 30 years.

His weekly visits often include informal polling at restaurants, breweries, and shops.

“I’ll ask people, ‘What do you want to hear at this new venue?’ and get their input. I keep a list going,” he said. That level of community engagement is what will make the venue thrive, McBride said.

“The energy around this place is so palpable. It’s encouraging for us because we know we’re going to bring really good shows here,” he said.

“I have a feeling they’re going to be super successful right away.”

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The Academy Center of the Arts’ 120 Year Legacy

Top 5 Times in Life You Should Call a Lawyer (and Why It’s Not Just for Crises)

When most people picture hiring a lawyer, they imagine a courtroom, a crisis, or a contract gone wrong. But in reality, some of the most important legal conversations happen quietly, well before any conflict begins. Everyday legal matters—like setting up a business, buying a home, or protecting digital assets—rarely make headlines, but they can have lasting financial and personal consequences if handled without guidance.

Here are five moments in life when picking up the phone to call a lawyer could save you money, time, and future headaches.

1. When You’re Starting a Business

Launching a business is exciting, but it’s also full of legal decisions that can have lasting consequences. Choosing the wrong business structure, for example, could expose your personal assets to liability or lead to higher taxes. A business attorney can help determine whether an LLC, S Corporation, or partnership best fits your goals, and draft the proper formation documents to protect you from future disputes.

Beyond formation, a lawyer can review vendor contracts, employee agreements, and intellectual property protections—key safeguards that are often overlooked when entrepreneurs rely on online templates. Even small oversights, like unclear profit-sharing terms or missing non-compete clauses, can snowball into significant issues later.

The foundation you build now will determine how well your business weathers challenges later. A well-structured business minimizes legal exposure and allows you to focus on growth instead of damage control.

2. When You’re Planning for the Future

Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy—it’s for anyone who wants a say in what happens to their assets, dependents, or healthcare decisions. Without a legally binding plan, the state determines how your property is distributed, which can lead to confusion, delays, and disputes among loved ones.

Working with an estate attorney ensures you have a will, power of attorney, and advanced healthcare directive that reflect your wishes. Depending on your situation, you may also benefit from setting up a trust to manage property, minimize taxes, or support a family member with special needs.

Many people mistakenly believe they can “get by” with a handwritten will or online form. However, these documents are often incomplete or unenforceable under Virginia law. Estate planning attorneys ensure your plans comply with state requirements and remain valid even as your circumstances change.

Having proper estate documents in place protects your family, your legacy, and your peace of mind.

3. When You’re Buying or Selling Property

Real estate transactions are among the most common—and most expensive—legal interactions the average person will ever have. A lawyer’s review of your purchase agreement, title, and closing documents can reveal issues that might otherwise be missed, such as unresolved liens, unclear boundaries, or improperly transferred ownership.

For buyers, a real estate attorney ensures contract contingencies, inspection results, and financing terms are clearly stated and enforceable. For sellers, legal counsel helps with disclosure obligations and limits liability after closing.

In commercial property transactions, an attorney’s role becomes even more critical, as zoning laws, lease terms, and liability exposure can significantly affect long-term profitability.

Real estate contracts are binding. Having a lawyer review them before you sign ensures that the investment you make today won’t turn into a dispute tomorrow.

4. When Your Life Moves Online

Digital privacy has become one of the most overlooked areas of personal and business law. From social media accounts and digital photos to cryptocurrency and cloud-stored documents, much of what we value now exists entirely online. Yet few people include these assets in their estate or business planning.

An attorney versed in digital privacy law can help you establish who has access to your digital accounts if you become incapacitated or pass away. They can also help businesses develop privacy policies and cybersecurity procedures that comply with data protection laws like the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act.

For small businesses, the stakes are especially high: data breaches, even accidental ones, can result in penalties and loss of customer trust. Creating a formal privacy policy and clear data-handling plan can reduce this risk significantly.

Your digital presence is part of your legacy. Legal guidance ensures it’s protected, accessible, and compliant with evolving privacy regulations.

5. When You’re Facing a Major Life Transition

Marriage, divorce, adoption, retirement—life’s biggest milestones often come with legal implications that aren’t immediately obvious. Marriage may affect property ownership and beneficiary designations. Divorce can change tax obligations and estate plans. Retirement often triggers complex financial and healthcare decisions that require coordination between legal and financial advisors.

Even smaller transitions—such as adding a name to a deed, starting a new job, or taking in an aging parent—can benefit from a brief consultation to confirm what’s required under state law. A lawyer can review documents, clarify obligations, and prevent costly misunderstandings before they occur.

Life changes quickly, and legal paperwork doesn’t always keep up. Proactive planning ensures that your new chapter begins on solid ground.

A Different Way to Think About Legal Help

Legal advice isn’t just a reactive measure—it’s a preventive one. A single conversation with a lawyer at the right time can prevent years of complications, confusion, or regret.

Think of a lawyer as part of your personal advisory team—alongside your financial planner, accountant, and healthcare providers. Their expertise can help you make informed decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and protect what matters most.

Whether you’re signing a contract, growing a business, or simply planning for the future, taking a proactive approach to legal matters isn’t about anticipating conflict. It’s about ensuring clarity and confidence in every stage of life.

LaneyKickz adds a bold new step to downtown’s revival

By: Jeremy Angione | Photos By: Ashlee Glen

During the ongoing revitalization of historic downtown Lynchburg, several new businesses have been born with the help of Downtown Lynchburg Association’s Launch LYH grant program. One of the most recent grant winners was 23-year-old Delaney Armenti, who opened LaneyKickz October 4.

LaneyKickz is, in essence, the expansion of a business Armenti was already running through social media and local popups, which buys, resells, and showcases new and used sneakers.

Armenti is a Lynchburg native who always considered herself a “sneakerhead”. Despite her passion, Armenti seemingly always prioritized her own growth.

“One of the hardest things I had to do was sell pretty much my entire sneaker collection to afford a MacBook for college,” Armenti said.

She attended Sweet Briar College to study performing arts and later transferred to Randolph College.

“I knew this small sacrifice would be an investment in my future,” she shared.

According to Armenti, opening LaneyKickz was a necessity to meet the growing demands of her customers in and beyond the Lynchburg area. She recalls being unable to walk across the Randolph College campus without engaging in some sort of business with a potential customer.

“I realized from selling my collection that there was a demand and people wanted affordable sneakers in Lynchburg. So from there, I literally would buy as many shoes as possible. Then I realized that just selling and flipping shoes wasn’t enough. I needed connections, I needed to reach people outside of the area, because I started to get online orders,” Armenti explained.

At 23 years old, Armenti believes her youth is an asset to her business’ growth and potential. With the opening of LaneyKickz, she’s made accessibility and affordability for her products a priority.

Despite now having a permanent location, Armenti keeps herself immersed in the fluid culture that often accompanies fashion and trends. She goes to conventions, boasts a growing social media presence, and ultimately, she knows and caters to her consumer base.

“Yeah, I’m 23 years old, but I’m smart enough to know that when your community will show up for you, you better show up for them,” Armenti said.
LaneyKickz nestled itself into 1107 Main Street. For those familiar with the downtown area, Armenti’s space was previously home to bike and skate shop Scene3.

“It’s clear and evident that people miss his business and that they loved it,” Armenti said.

LaneyKickz offers footwear popular in skate culture and keeps some of the skateboards up from Scene3 as a way to pay tribute to the history of the space Armenti now inhabits.

The rest of the shop, unsurprisingly, is adorned from floor to ceiling and wall to wall, with sneakers. LaneyKickz sells a variety of new and used sneakers, curated vintage clothing, and the latest in streetwear brands.

“Every single day there are new items hitting the floor,” Armenti said.

Perhaps the most unique aspect of LaneyKickz is the stage at the back of the store. While it serves as a focal point for the space, its eventual purpose is to be a hub for producing in-house online content in the form of podcasts, live music, and live content and inventory showcases, broadcasted to Armenti’s growing online audience.

No matter what she is doing for her business, Armenti likes to express her creativity, which she suggests is a cornerstone of sneakerhead culture. She credits her performing arts experience for her lively online and in person presence.

“That art is something that never really leaves your soul,” Armenti said.

She has a thriving online business due to her consistent social media presence, and due, in part, to her word-of-mouth marketing and personable attitude.

“I think being a Lynchburg native plays a big role. When you’re from this area, understand the culture, and where people come from, I can better serve you.

The Lynchburg community and the people are so deserving of nice things, and they will show up for you,” Armenti said.

She says that she wanted the space to have an upscale, city feeling.

“I wanted to provide an atmosphere that doesn’t feel like we’re in Lynchburg,” Armenti explained.

To expand her visibility, Armenti often visits larger cities like Miami, Chicago, and New York City to explore conventions and the differences in business practices and sneakerhead cultures.

Armenti says that her community often asks why she didn’t choose to open a store in one of the bigger cities where sneakerhead culture is more pervasive.

“Cause it starts where home is. It starts where people make sacrifices, and they’re invested in what you have to offer. How can you not work hard? How does that not motivate you?” Armenti exclaimed.

Compared to her passion for sneakerhead culture, Armenti’s passion for people and her community is just as strong. She recalled a time when her Instagram account was taken down due to the influx of traffic because of the recent announcement of her Launch LYH win.

Armenti’s supporters sprang into action and began to contact Instagram to have her account reinstated. She was brought to tears when thinking about
her success and being able to give back to her community.

“Some of my customers come from nothing, and some of my customers have it all, and it just feels really healing to see people getting things they’ve always wanted,” Armenti explained.

There is no LaneyKickz website, although she posts frequently to Instagram, where she showcases her latest inventory. You can find her at @LaneyKickz.

We are proud to announce the 2025 Lynchburg Living Community Champions—a group of dedicated individuals whose unwavering commitment to advocacy and service has significantly enhanced our community. These champions work both within organizations and directly in the community to support vulnerable populations, providing essential resources and support to those in need.

Their tireless efforts and selfless dedication exemplify the spirit of community engagement, making a profound impact on the lives of many. We honor their contributions and celebrate their role in fostering a more inclusive and compassionate environment for all residents of Lynchburg.

Their work inspires us all to join in the effort to create lasting positive change in our community.

Annie Stewart Lambert

Annie Stewart Lambert
Award-Winning Author, Musician, Mental Health Coach, and Community Cheerleader
LynchburgVAChurch.com and TheNarrowWay.co

How did your journey of community service/philanthropy begin? What inspired you to start giving back to your community? For years, I carried the secret of surviving childhood sexual and physical abuse that nearly crushed me. But out of that darkness, God gave me a new voice, a voice not only for myself, but for others who could not yet speak. Writing, music, and faith became my way to survive, and then my way to serve. What began as brokenness became a calling to bring healing wherever it was needed most.

Can you describe the primary causes or initiatives you are passionate about? Are there specific issues or populations you are most dedicated to supporting? I am devoted to mental health advocacy, faith-centered healing, and amplifying the voices of survivors of all different types of trauma and abuse. I love celebrating the people of our city who exhibit compassion and kindness.

What organizations or projects are you currently involved with? In what capacity do you work with these organizations? I lead LynchburgVAChurch.com, documenting my journey to visit all of the hundreds of churches in our city as well as leading TheNarrowWay.co. I am the author of bestselling Christian books, and this journey has people following in more than 120 countries. My music, born from both grief and faith, streams worldwide. I also serve as a mental health coach and advocate for survivors and work for World Help, a Christian humanitarian aid organization.

What have been the most impactful moments or achievements in your community work? Is there a particular experience or accomplishment that stands out? The most powerful moment of my life was breaking years of silence about abuse. It was terrifying, but necessary. When I spoke, I discovered my story was not mine alone. Survivors came forward, saying, “Because you spoke, I can too.” That moment ignited a movement in my heart that has never stopped. My first book, The Fig Tree Withered But She Lived, became a number one new release and best seller, proof that God can break chains for folks far beyond our city. Recognition as Best Civic Leader for the last two years is humbling, and the truest reward is hearing from someone who whispers, “Your words saved me.” That is why I will never stop speaking, writing, and serving.

Any final thoughts or messages you’d like to share with the community?

Every street, every church, every neighborhood in Lynchburg carries both beauty and brokenness. What will define us is not whether brokenness exists, but whether we dare to see it and respond with love. When we notice the unseen, we step into the highest calling of community!

Adedamola “Dammy” Onafowokan

Adedamola “Dammy” Onafowokan
Grant Project Director for the Lynchburg Adult Recovery and Bedford Family Recovery Courts (LARC & BFRC)
Horizon Behavioral Health

How did your journey of community service/philanthropy begin?

What inspired you to start giving back to your community? My inspiration to give back to the community comes from my parents. Growing up, they always modeled giving back to the community and giving to others as predicated by their Christian faith. I observed this all through my childhood and it’s an example that has guided me in my personal and professional journey through life. I started at Horizon as a Mentor Coordinator for at-risk youth at Horizon in 2013 and it has been an honor to give back to a community that has given so much to me and my family.

What have been the most impactful moments or achievements in your community work? Is there a particular experience or accomplishment that stands out? The most impactful moments for me are easily the graduations of our recovery court participants.

To see the culmination of all their hard work, aided by our collaboration and assistance, is truly gratifying. We routinely first encounter our participants at a low point in their lives. To watch them battle through adversity, setbacks and challenges, and come out on the other side with new leases on life, their sobriety, and a newfound appreciation for their community and their families, is truly satisfying. I cannot point to a singular accomplishment that stands out to me, however, interacting with our participants outside of the courtroom setting during our pro-social outings and watching them interact with their kids or just enjoying the community of which they are a part of is extremely fulfilling.

Who or what has been the biggest influence on your work in the community? Are there individuals, organizations, or experiences that have shaped your approach to service? The biggest influence on my work in the community is living and raising a family in that very same community. Having come to Lynchburg for college, then also living in Lynchburg, Amherst, and now Bedford County, I am personally invested in the flourishing and well-being of this area not only for my job, but for my family that calls this region home. From my church, my co-workers at Horizon, to the numerous community partners and wonderful individuals I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years, each of them has taught me something about what it means to serve.

How do you think others can get involved or contribute to the causes you are passionate about? Our recovery courts are always in need of sponsors for our participants, community partners to provide opportunities for employment or community service where applicable and general support and encouragement to those making strides towards recovery. There are myriad ways to get involved.

Hayley Jones

Hayley Jones
Community Engagement Coordinator (PSG) & Program Director (GOTR)
Pierce Street Gateway & Girls on the Run Central Virginia and Blue Ridge

How did your journey of community service/philanthropy begin? What inspired you to start giving back to your community? I had the privilege of growing up overseas and had a unique opportunity to do humanitarian work with refugees alongside my family in middle and high school.

Those experiences definitely shaped who I am today and gave me a passion for volunteer work and for giving back to my community. From there I went on to study Social Work in college, and found a love for working with non-profits here in Lynchburg through my internship that I did with Girls on the Run at the time.

What organizations or projects are you currently involved with? In what capacity do you work with these organizations? I currently work for Girls on the Run Central Virginia & Blue Ridge as their Program Director for the greater Lynchburg area, and with Pierce Street Gateway as their Community Engagement Coordinator. I also get to work with the Lynchburg Area Youth Sports Initiative and Liveable Lynchburg as a volunteer.

What have been the most impactful moments or achievements in your community work? Is there a particular experience or accomplishment that stands out? It’s incredibly difficult to pinpoint one single impactful experience. There have been countless moments and interactions that have been impactful, help to bring me back into focus, and remind me of why this work is so incredibly important. I think that all of my favorite moments have a common thread, and that is relationships. Whether it’s a Girls on the Run participant who remembers me visiting her school coming to hug me at the 5K, a Girls on the Run Coach coming over to catch up when we run into one another, or a neighbor from Pierce Street stopping by to chat on a Saturday morning in the community garden, the moments that are the most impactful all happen because we’ve built a genuine community. Showing up, being present, and putting yourself out there to develop real, personal relationships can be difficult, but the rewards far outweigh the challenges.

How do you think others can get involved or contribute to the causes you are passionate about? I truly believe that you will never regret volunteering for something you’re passionate about! Whether it’s one of the organizations I’ve worked with or another cause entirely, find something you’re passionate about and reach out about volunteer opportunities.

Visit sharegreaterlynchburg.org for a great resource to help you get started!

Any final thoughts or messages you’d like to share with the community? Community isn’t something that just happens or that you stumble upon, it’s something that we have to build together. By giving back, we play a vital role in building those spaces of connection and belonging that we all desire and need. Let’s step up, give back, and grow community together.

Rex Brust

Rex Brust
President
Purple Heart Homes Central Virginia Chapter

How did your journey of community service/philanthropy begin? What inspired you to start giving back to your community? In my career I had spent 12 years in the U.S. Army followed by 40 years working for defense contractors serving the military and I retired in 2016. Prior to my retirement I went looking for an activity or group that I would enjoy working with after retirement. What I found was Rolling Thunder, a 501(c)3 veteran support group that focused on helping veterans in need. I spent 10 years with this organization developing my passion for community service with a focus on military veterans and the mental health aspects surrounding military suicides.

What organizations or projects are you currently involved with? In what capacity do you work with these organizations? I serve with three local 501(c)3 charitable organizations. I am the President of the Central Virginia Chapter of Purple Heart Homes, I am a board member of the Lynchburg Area Veterans Council, and I am the Public Relations Officer for Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA) chapter 27-11 Lynchburg, VA.

How do you think others can get involved or contribute to the causes you are passionate about? Everyone can do something, whether that is provide volunteer labor, contribute monetarily, or simply speak positively about a community support project to elicit help for a charity, project, or individual. There are many organizations that offer help to the needy and all one has to do is get involved.

In what ways can local businesses, organizations, or individuals better support community efforts? In my many years working with charitable organizations, what I see as the key ways others can better support community efforts is to get involved. As everyone knows, 501(c)3 charitable organizations live by the generosity of others and they spend an enormous amount of time fundraising and seeking support of volunteers. Businesses and organizations could help by adopting a charity of their choosing and provide them support throughout the year. Or, they could select several charities and support their fundraising events. Individuals can help by volunteering their time even if it is just a few hours at a time.

Any final thoughts or messages you’d like to share with the community? Community organizations provide a tremendous service to the underserved and individuals in need, far more than is ever recognized. If you have the ability to help, find a charitable organization (preferably local) you believe in and get involved. You can make a difference and a positive impact on our community.

Sheriff Mike Brown & Dr. Janet Brown

Sheriff Mike Brown & Dr. Janet Brown
Founders and Advisors
Safe Surfin’ Foundation

How did your journey of community service/philanthropy begin? What inspired you to start giving back to
your community?

In 1998, our journey began as a law enforcement mission—protecting our youth from the sexual predators who exploit the Internet.

I commanded a congressionally funded Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for 24 years. What began as an investigative duty grew into a lifelong commitment with my wife, Dr. Janet Brown, to safeguard children online and empower families through education and prevention.

Can you describe the primary causes or initiatives you are passionate about? Are there specific issues or populations you are most dedicated to supporting? We are dedicated to protecting children from online predators. With an estimated 500,000 predators online at any moment, school-aged youth remain the most vulnerable population. Our mission is to shield them through education, advocacy, and proactive prevention programs.

What have been the most impactful moments or achievements in your community work? Is there a particular experience or accomplishment that stands out? One of the most impactful moments in my law enforcement career was arresting “Dr. Evil” in 2000—a predator from North Carolina who targeted preteen girls. Beyond that single case, the creation of the CyberSwat program has been transformative—empowering students to teach their peers about online safety. This innovative youth-led initiative has expanded across schools, mentoring young leaders to confront issues such as cyberbullying and exploitation head-on. Our work has also influenced state and national policy, including mandated internet safety education in West Virginia. These achievements—direct arrests of offenders, pioneering prevention programs, and legislative victories—are milestones that stand out in our fight to protect children.

How do you think others can get involved or contribute to the causes you are passionate about? Visit safesurfin.org to volunteer, partner, or make a donation. Every contribution strengthens our mission to protect children and support families in navigating the digital world safely.

Any final thoughts or messages you’d like to share with the community? Protecting children online is not just law enforcement’s job—it’s a shared responsibility; a calling that belongs to all of us. When families, schools, businesses, and law enforcement stand united, predators lose their power.

Every act of service—whether teaching, mentoring, or donating—builds a safer tomorrow. Together, we can create a community where every child grows up safe, and has access to the bright future they deserve. Every effort, large or small, makes a difference. Please, consider helping us in our mission.

Canadian & British Tea Service in the Heart of Lynchburg

By: Izzi Diaz Young | Photos By: Ashlee Glen

A place known and loved by all in Lynchburg stood at 1215 Commerce Street for fourteen years. A place where pinkies were raised, cups were poured, and forever memories were created: The Ploughcroft Tea Room. More than a Lynchburg staple, it was a treasure to all who visited.

When the news rang of its closure after over a decade, Cheryl Carter and Anthony (Tony) Quaranta knew it was time to start brewing the next chapter in their own lives, becoming owners of The Maple Leaf Tea Room.

Now open at the identical address but with a new title, The Maple Leaf Tea Room has the same exact warm-hug-feeling as it did before. Serving lunch, pouring afternoon tea, and providing a cozy ambience to all who enter, this renovated spot is the perfect location for all ages to come and enjoy a cuppa.

Hailing from Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, owner Cheryl Carter and her partner, Tony Quaranta are the newest tea sommeliers on the block. Carter relocated to Lynchburg in 1988, around the same time Quaranta found himself in the city as well.

Quaranta, owner of The Little Dinner Theater Players, was introduced to The Ploughcroft Tea Room years ago as a result of producing several dinner theater performances at the venue.

“We had been friends with the owner, Patricia Hutto, for several years before I came to work for her part time a few years ago,” stated Carter. “I had been working as a sort of assistant manager for Ms. Pat when she announced that she would be retiring after fourteen years, and closing The Ploughcroft in December of 2024. After her announcement, the outpouring of sadness that there would no longer be a tea room in Lynchburg was really quite amazing. So many of her patrons came in the last few months that it was beyond busy, and we did our best to accommodate everyone who wanted to come one last time.”

This display of love and admiration for the tea room pulled on Carter’s heartstrings, signaling that maybe this beloved place’s story wasn’t over quite yet, and that she might be the one to continue it.

“I was frequently asked if I would purchase the restaurant and continue the tea room, but at the time it hadn’t been something I was considering,” Carter noted. The former owner, Patricia Hutto, had dubbed the name The Ploughcroft tea room in honor of her family home, and had no plans to transfer the name alongside the restaurant when the time came.

“With so many people asking, and hoping that someone would take up the mantle, Tony and I decided to give it a go,” Carter remarked. “Afternoon tea is also a Canadian tradition, and my Canadian heritage is from the British Isles, so The Maple Leaf Tea Room was born.”

Upon opening its doors, the space now welcomes guests with the perfect essence. From gorgeous decorative teapots to vintage furniture, the tone for your visit will be instantly set.

“We wanted to keep the eclectic feel, and being theater folk, we love a theme,” Carter noted. “So, an Anne of Green Gables vibe was included, with fresh paint and antique decor. I’m super happy with how the dining room feels so cozy and warm.”

For fans of the old Ploughcroft menu, there are a few old staples that outlived the transformation to Maple Leaf.

Carter remarked that some of the lunch favorites on the current menu do remain the same as before, all of their offerings include something for everyone.

The mouthwatering lunch cuisine is served from 11:00 a.m. through 1:30 p.m., where visitors can expect a range of salads, pies, scones, and much more. Carter noted that they have even included a few new delicacies as a nod to her Canadian background, such as poutine and Halifax donairs. Although the cooking area is a wheat kitchen, there are also now a few gluten-free options on the lineup for those with any allergies.

“Afternoon tea is much the same, except we now include Canadian and English sweet treats,” Carter stated. “Following with the Anne of Green Gables theme, we also offer sparkling raspberry cordial, black currant herbal iced tea, and sparkling lemonade.”

To enjoy all of these delectable menu offerings, reservations are not required, but Carter highly recommends making them to ensure the utmost enjoyment out of your experience.

“Tea is meant to be spent time on,” she said. She advises those planning their visits to make arrangements by calling, emailing, or messaging the business’ social media directly.

When asked what else visitors can expect from the tea room other than old-fashioned fun and herbal infusions, Carter noted, “The Room offers a cozy atmosphere all throughout the year, and we have great fun decorating for the holidays.”

The future of the tea room is only getting brighter, too. They now offer private party rentals on Sundays, perfect for any celebration or event. From baby showers to engagement parties, birthdays, and more, Maple Leaf is a must-book location.

Carter looked forward to the future, stating, “We plan on having live music from time to time, and keep an eye out for special ‘tea’ events!”

The legacy of The Ploughcroft Tea Room—a destination that served Lynchburg over a decade—lives on within stories shared across the city still today. From past celebrations to memories made over a cuppa, the afterglow of this place’s impact remains ever present.

Now, these memories can still be cherished while new ones are created. Fresh moments in The Maple Leaf Tea Room will blossom like florals, forever linked to the magic made within its walls. Maple Leaf is a fresh pot ready to be poured, welcoming visitors from across the city and beyond who will soon be enchanted by the warmth of it, whether it be found within the ambiance, the cups of tea, or the people inside.

On their menu is a quote by Bindi Irwin, stating, “A cup of tea makes everything better,” and doesn’t it? Because a cup of tea welcomes so much more than just a hot beverage, it welcomes a community—a bond created and shared right there between two cups, as sweet as a brew of Darjeeling.

Seeing folks find joy in the knick knacks and decor, sharing stories, and enjoying the food, that’s what I think makes it special,” Carter said. “The Maple Leaf Tea Room is for making memories, and we love being a part of that.”

The Scrappy Elephant’s Sustainable Approach to Arts and Crafts

By: Emily Mook | Photos By: Ashlee Glen

One of the most remarkable aspects of art is its ability to transform raw materials into a unique expression of creativity. When those materials are sustainably sourced, something even more remarkable occurs: as the materials are given new life many times over, several processes of transformation ensue and a mosaic of creative expressions exists within a single work of art. Of course, the environmental impact of creative reuse is also noteworthy; diverting materials from landfills helps curtail the production of methane and toxic chemicals that are harmful to the environment and to all living beings. Sarah Sweet is passionate about creativity and conservation, and she has built a business—with shops in both Charlottesville and Lynchburg—that is leading the charge in promoting both of these practices. That business, The Scrappy Elephant, has kept a staggering 199,431 pounds of materials out of landfills since opening in 2020.

After Sweet, a painter and former art teacher, had her daughter in 2013, she found herself grappling with increased concern for the environment. Determined to find meaningful ways to help mitigate the planet’s ongoing climate crisis, she discovered a creative reuse shop while on a trip in Nashville that would inspire her to ultimately open her own.

“As soon as I walked into Turnip Green Creative Reuse, I felt like I found what I was searching for,” Sweet recalled. “It was a place that combined my love of art and a way to positively impact the planet. I began researching Creative Reuse Centers as soon as I got home and visited as many as I could drive to in order to learn more.”

While networking with other CRCs around the country, Sweet made up her mind to open her own center and received some helpful advice from Utah-based CRC The Clever Octopus: choose a memorable name. Her choice, “The Scrappy Elephant,” is not only memorable, but also fitting for a female-led CRC and deeply meaningful to Sweet.

“When I was in Ghana, I had the amazing opportunity to see elephants in the wild,” she said. “I fell in love with them. And since elephant families are led by females, and this is a female-founded business, I knew I had to use them in the name. And I went with scrappy because it’s a scrap store! Also, a little from our website: ‘Elephants are creative communicators, kind, loyal, self-aware, and some of the most intelligent animals that exist. They can also paint!

The elephant embodies all the values The Scrappy Elephant holds dear: We are a place where creativity and kindness abound and where the makers who come here are aware of their impact on the future of this planet.’”

The Scrappy Elephant started as a 400-square-foot pop-up shop in Palmyra before expanding to an 800-square-foot space, also in Palmyra, in September 2020. In August 2022, the shop moved into what would become its central hub: an 1,800-square-foot space in Charlottesville. As the shop’s popularity grew, so did its square footage; it doubled in size in January 2024 and added on an 800-square-foot classroom space in July 2024. Then, as more and more Lynchburg residents visited the shop and expressed wishes for a CRC in Lynchburg, Sweet set her sights on opening a second location.

“After expanding a lot in 2024, I promised my team that 2025 would be a year to rest—but then a CRC near Lynchburg closed, and resting is not a strong suit of mine!” Sweet exclaimed. “We discovered the Launch LYH program and knew the timing was right to look into expanding into a new location and to spread creative reuse down south.”

Sweet opened a pop-up shop on Main Street in April 2025 and, after receiving one of the Downtown Lynchburg Association’s Launch LYH grants in June, Lynchburg’s branch of The Scrappy Elephant became a permanent fixture. Alongside these physical expansions and upgrades in both locations, staffing and offerings have also increased.

“We have also grown our staff (ten people now!) in our class and camp offerings, and we now have something called the Artful Elephant—we rotate eight artists every three months and give them the space to sell their work,” remarked Sweet. “We have always supported several nonprofits with our nonprofit rewards program; when customers shop, they receive a button that represents 50 cents and they choose which nonprofit they’d like to support. Each nonprofit then gets to come shopping for art supplies each month. Now, we are able to support even more with our Lynchburg location.”

Lynchburg’s current nonprofit participants are Amazement Square, Riverviews Artspace, The Arc of Central Virginia, Vector Space, and The Academy Center of the Arts.
Community members play a crucial role—in the capacities of shopper, donator, and even art class teacher—in helping The Scrappy Elephant achieve its mission of fostering creativity and creating joy while also reducing landfill waste.

As shoppers, customers can fill small, medium, or large bags for a fraction of the cost of new supplies. There is also a studio space available to rent for an hour of creative play or for two hours for parties.

As donators, community members are asked to check the shop’s website for a list of accepted items and to bring items in bags or boxes that they don’t wish to keep. Upon receipt of materials, staff members weigh and sort them meticulously to ensure an optimal shopping experience.

Finally, community members with art education experience are encouraged to inquire about teaching opportunities at The Scrappy Elephant.

“Most of our teachers are Scrappy customers,” Sweet noted. “Whenever people ask about teaching, I’ll have a chat with them to learn about their teaching experience, and then, if they are qualified, I put their class on our schedule.

Class prices are set by each teacher, and teachers receive 60 percent of whatever the class earns. In Charlottesville, we offer a wide variety of classes: mosaic, watercolor, bookbinding, crochet, knitting, sewing, printmaking, and more. In Lynchburg, we are slowly building up our class schedule. We have two amazing local Lynchburg teachers who have already taught classes and are offering more. One of our staff members, Marie, is going to be teaching some classes as well. If anyone is interested in teaching, please contact us!”

Of course, with increased participation comes an increased need for parking; as such, Sweet is hoping for a move this fall to a space with attached parking spots. More generally, she hopes to see an ever-increasing focus on conservation over consumption.

“Almost all of us have enough—if not too much—stuff,” she said. “I think it is important to stop and think before making purchases of any kind.

Owning this business has changed my shopping habits dramatically; I rarely shop for myself anymore and when I do, I almost exclusively shop secondhand. You can find almost everything you need at secondhand stores. I think it is important to think about voting with our dollar. There are many businesses that exist today to do good in the world and that put people and the environment before profit.”

The Scrappy Elephant undoubtedly does good in the world and possesses a unique ability to honor the past and, in so doing, also enrich and protect the future. There is also something singularly beautiful about knowing that a material that once helped someone express their creativity could someday help someone else express theirs too.

Sweet relishes the opportunity to facilitate this collective, cyclical process of making art and marvels at its far-reaching positive impact.

“So many people have been so grateful over the years to be able to bring us their deceased loved ones’ supplies, knowing that they will get used and loved again,” she stated. “So many people have been grateful to bring their supplies somewhere when they are moving so they don’t have to pack them all up and carry them along. So many people have gotten back into making art because of the Scrappy Elephant. So many people have started new hobbies after taking classes here. One person even told us that one of our meditation boxes (a simple upcycled cigar box filled with colored pencils, coloring pages, and a journal) saved her life and pulled her out of a deep dark hole. I love hearing how Scrappy is people’s happy place.”

How Michele Fredericks Shapes Space with Purpose

By: Robyn Forbes / Photos Courtesy: Studio Møre Designs

When Michele Fredericks moved back to Lynchburg in 2018, she employed her architectural and design expertise on a small team in town. Just two short years later she would open her very own studio, Studio Møre Designs. As owner and principal designer, Fredericks provides residential and interior design services and consults on commercial projects. Studio Møre Designs has received a Lynchburg Best of Business Award from Lynchburg Business magazine and a Readers’ Favorites award from Central Virginia HOME magazine. After connecting with Fredericks for an in-depth conversation about her stylistic journey, her motivation for making, and her governing approach to handling clients and their concerns, I quickly understood her natural acquisition of the people’s favor.

I pulled into Fredericks’s driveway on a rainy afternoon in the spring and immediately recognized a familiar structure across the lawn—a treehouse, neat and painted a powdery blue. I had seen the treehouse on her website.

Later, I learned that the historic split-level home where Studio Møre Designs was born, continues to be one of Fredericks’s most intimate and challenging projects.
“One of my favorite design projects so far has been my own home,” she shared.

Frederick’s living room was featured on the cover of Lynchburg Living September/October 2021. Photo by Daryl Calfee

The space is open and generous, and there is so much light. It spills in from overhead by way of a modern skylight and through countless windows. I wanted to venture beyond her artsy home office and just lounge. It felt like a place to linger.

Fredericks believes anyone can have a home that feels so. It doesn’t take much.

“Natural light and well-placed windows have a huge impact, not just on the look of a space, but on your mood, your health, and overall sense of well-being,” she told me.

She credits her travels with affording her experiences which have deeply influenced her personal design approach. She has lived in Hawaii, Argentina, Tennessee.

It was time spent in Europe, however, that most poured into her palette.

She found the practicality and intention signature to the European style to be irresistibly magnetic. A self-proclaimed DIYer, Fredericks encourages those looking to revamp their space to do their research about what’s safe and effective, and to consider function as the primary element in their approach. Aesthetics are secondary.

“For me, the European influence is less about aesthetics and more about the simplicity and intention behind how people live,” she explained. “When spaces are designed with function as the priority, beauty often follows naturally. One of the key takeaways I carry with me is the deliberate use of color—or, sometimes, the intentional choice to hold back. I love bold, vibrant hues and am never afraid to use them, but placement and purpose are everything. It’s all about balance and creating impact through thoughtful design.”

For all of its globally sourced influences, Studio Møre is a deeply local voice in Lynchburg’s design scene. Honoring local architectural heritage is just as integral to Fredericks’ process as thinking outside of the box.

“To be a truly Virginia-based design studio,” Fredericks said, “I believe you have to understand the region’s unique architectural character. For example,
we build with brick because it literally comes from our soil. Many homes have basements due to the terrain, and screened porches are a must because of the bugs. Especially here in Central Virginia, quality matters. New construction has to measure up to the historic fabric of the area—think grand old homes, commercial buildings with soaring 14-foot ceilings and massive windows. That level of quality sets the bar high, and it’s a standard I truly enjoy designing toward.”

Fredericks’ website describes her work as “designing spaces where people want to be.” Doing so well starts with connecting with people and finding out what matters to them most.

“I’ve always been a people person, so getting into residential design just made sense,” she said.

“I really enjoy getting to know my clients and helping them create spaces that feel like them, the kind of place they’re actually excited to come home to.”

Consulting on commercial projects has also allowed Fredericks to be a part of shaping the city she calls home.

She’s currently contributing to two mixed-use spaces in the Lynchburg and Danville areas that will each provide much needed residential and commercial real estate.

“As a designer, you get all kinds of projects. Some are all about creativity and big ideas, and others are more focused on problem-solving and client care,” she explained. “I treat them all with the same level of attention. No matter what the project looks like, whether it is a tight budget, very specific taste, or a unique type of space, I am always aiming to make it the best it can be.”

Five years from now Fredericks wants to be doing exactly what she’s doing now: creating inviting spaces that make people’s lives better right here in Lynchburg. I asked about her dream commercial project and expected to hear about a high-rise corporate space or perhaps a new boutique hotel. Instead?
A park—of sorts.

“This might sound a little unexpected, but I would love the opportunity to design a cemetery or mausoleum,” Fredericks shared. “I’ve always been fascinated by how cemetery design is so deeply connected to the landscape. In fact, both my undergraduate and graduate theses focused on cemetery projects.

I’d love to reimagine these spaces as vibrant, peaceful environments, with walking paths and thoughtful design elements that invite the living to spend time there and connect with the surroundings in a meaningful way.”

Studio Møre Designs is accepting new clientele with a three- to six-month wait time. If you’re itching to get your hands on one of Fredericks’ designs, check out Hideaway Modern, a curated collection of small home and cabin floor plans available online. The collection was crafted alongside longtime friend of Fredericks’ and fellow designer Bryn Wears-Fitipaldi. The two attended architecture school together and Bryn now operates her own studio in California.

Lynchburg’s creative energy and artistic network has been a pillar of Fredericks’ experience in business.

With great successes behind her and more on the horizon, she thanks her hometown for being the place she gets to make it all happen.

“The truth is, I’m able to do what I love, and do it well, because of this amazing, supportive design community,” she said. “I truly couldn’t do it without them!”

How Firebrick Pottery is Shaping Lynchburg’s Creative Community

By: Jeremy Angione / Photos By: Ashlee Glen

Whether you’re a seasoned potter, or have only experienced pottery from Patrick Swayze’s hands in Ghost, Firebrick Pottery in downtown Lynchburg aims to give everyone the ability to connect with their own creativity.

Firebrick Pottery opened on Main Street on April 26, 2025, with the help of a $20,000 dollar grant from Downtown Lynchburg Association’s Launch LYH program. Owner Alexandra Milhous was among the five 2024 recipients of the grant, which helped kickstart her business.

“I feel very lucky,” Milhous said.

She credits much of her early success to guidance from the Lynchburg region’s Small Business Development Center.

“I feel like I got a full college course. They did such a good job of helping me flesh out the business plan,” Milhous said.

Although running a business was a new and challenging experience for Milhous, her passion for pottery and experience in design helped her create a space for all creative levels.

Milhous admits that her “initial idea for the business was just pottery supply and the kiln services.”

Richmond was the closest source of pottery supplies, and even with adequate supplies, many home potters did not have regular access to a kiln to finish their projects. According to Milhous, simply filling those two needs has granted Firebrick Pottery a measure of success early on thanks to support from the Lynchburg arts community.

“I knew that the pottery community had grown a lot and that there was a need for this, but I’ve been very surprised at how people have responded right away. The potter community is even bigger than I thought it was. I’ve also had a ton of potters come out of the woodwork that I didn’t even know were here,” Milhous said.

Fortunately for Milhous, many of the experienced potters in the area have been willing to round out her teaching staff to offer workshops to guests still learning the craft.

Firebrick offers a variety of workshops that aim to teach specific pottery skills rather than aiming to make each participant an expert.

“It’s a lot of trial and error. You’re gonna get muddy, you’re gonna get dirty, you’re gonna have things crumble, and the clay will collapse. Even if you don’t have an end product, working on the wheel with clay is one of the most therapeutic things,” Milhous explained.

The process of manifesting your imagination through your hands takes guests through building shapes with the clay, working it on the wheel, firing it in the kiln, glazing it, and re-firing it.

“The workshops that we offer, they’ll be able to go through that entire process. I think experiencing that process from start to finish is one of the most magical things,” Milhous said.

While creating something beautiful is rewarding, Milhous is more concerned that her guests find new ways to engage with their artistic capabilities.

“There’s no judgement here on what your final product looks like. We’re just feeding our creativity. Pottery is basically trying to get the four elements—air, water, earth, and fire—to all cooperate with each other to make art,” Milhous said.

Firebrick Pottery is a bright and open space that is functionally segmented into several distinct sections. As you walk in, the dark green walls are contrasted by all the brightly colored ceramics that make for a dedicated artisanal shop with products from several local potters.

In the central portion of the shop, Firebrick offers several key pottery supplies that are often difficult or expensive to acquire. In the back of the shop is the main workspace and kiln. There are several stations with pottery wheels, tools, sinks, and shelves for projects in progress. One of Firebrick Pottery’s more unique features is the 24-hour studio access it offers to members.

“There’s always someone in and out working on projects,” Milhous said.

She discovered her love for pottery in an elective course she took at Virginia Tech, where she studied interior and industrial design. Much of Firebrick Pottery’s operational philosophy was born from her own experiences and needs as a potter. She admits that in her college days she’d utilize the school’s 24-hour studio access to work on her pottery projects late into the night.

“I want to find more ways to help people interact with clay and unleash their creativity in ways that are more accessible to people,” Milhous said.

A core value of Firebrick Pottery is connection. It’s about connecting the community to the artists in it, while also connecting individuals to their own sense of creativity, according to Milhous.

“One of the big goals is to build up Lynchburg’s creative community.

If someone is wanting to get into pottery for the first time, my workshops are good to get a taste of it,” Milhous said.

Currently, Firebrick Pottery offers two to three workshops a month, and a basic studio membership is $95 a month.

Milhous says that although Firebrick Pottery is a great resource to kickstart someone’s interest in pottery and equip them with basic skills, it isn’t intended to make the average person an expert. Milhous attributes much of her continued education in pottery after college to the Parks and Recreation Art Studio at Jackson Heights.

According to Milhous, she enjoys the symbiotic relationship she shares with other public art studios. Where she creates and nurtures initial interest and skill building, the other studios send her more experienced artists that value her space to display their art and use of the shop’s kiln.

“There are so many talented potters in Lynchburg, I just wanted to give the community access to them,” Milhous said.

Earning a Best of Lynchburg award should be celebrated, and earning this recognition year after year earns a business a spot in the Hall of Fame.

To place in our Best of Lynchburg Hall of Fame, a business, person, or place needs to have won a gold level award in a particular category for the majority of the years since VistaGraphics first launched the contest in 2014.

Flip through to see who is the best of the best in the region!

(Voting for the 2026 Best Of Lynchburg Awards begins July 25 on LynchburgLiving.com. Look for those winners in the January/February issue of Lynchburg Living!)

Klaire Maranto Turns Love for Food into a Thriving Lynchburg Business

By: Olivia Carter | Photos By: Ashlee Glen

Klaire Maranto never imagined she’d run a thriving meal prep business here in Lynchburg. But a tablespoon of love for food, a few teaspoons of passion for helping others, and a large cup of faith led her to launch Klaire’s Kitchen in 2021.

Since then, her small idea has become a weekly staple for many of her clients in the area.

“I have always been a lover of health, fitness, and food and I come from a really big Italian family, so we always were in the kitchen,” Maranto said. “It was always just a way that you showed love or you brought a meal to someone when someone was in need. You’re always making food.”

Her connection to cooking, paired with a keen understanding of nutrition, became the foundation for what is now Klaire’s Kitchen.

But she says the journey to launching a business was far from straightforward.

Like many others, she found herself at a crossroads during the COVID-19 pandemic. A 2020 graduate of Liberty University, she returned home to Buffalo, New York, only to be met with a bleak job market.

“Nobody was hiring. And I was like, ‘You know what? This is maybe my time to get all the nutrition certifications that I want,’” she said.

While she initially intended to use her expertise in a traditional job setting, something unexpected happened. Maranto started coaching family and friends on healthy eating habits, helping them with meal planning and giving them guidance on nutrition. Without realizing it, she was laying the groundwork for her future business.

When she and her husband moved back to Lynchburg for his law school studies, she took a job at a gym and noticed a consistent pattern.

“People would come in and be like, ‘What are you eating? It smells so good.’ And I’d be like, ‘Oh, you know, I just meal prepped,’” she said.

That curiosity quickly turned into meal prep requests.

“I actually love doing this,” she said. “These people are so happy when they get their food. It’s making their life so much easier.”

After a brief stint working at a local weight loss clinic, Maranto felt compelled to make a change and decided to meal-prep for others full-time. It was a bold move, especially since she and her husband were both young and in the midst of building their future.

“He was like, ‘You just went to school for four years to do something completely different,’” she laughed. “But I really feel like this is what I’m supposed to be doing.”

Initially, she assumed that her primary clientele would be fitness enthusiasts, athletes, and college students looking for convenient, healthy meals. But to her surprise, her customer base expanded far beyond that.

“It’s actually been completely the opposite,” she said. “It’s been pregnant and postpartum moms, working parents, a lot of professionals, a lot of teachers, doctors, lawyers, other small business owners that are like, ‘I don’t even have time to go do anything. I can’t cook my own food.’”

Through trial and error, Maranto has her finger on the pulse of what Central Virginian’s palates are craving.

“Everybody loves Mexican food. So the beef burrito bowls, the chicken burrito bowls, we have a beef enchilada skillet,” she said. “Everyone loves the side salads as well as this one meal that has sweet potatoes, ground turkey, kale, bell peppers and goat cheese,” she said.

She said people can still eat what they want, such as pasta, but enjoy it in the correct portion size.

“You’re getting a cup of pasta instead of the two and a half [cups] fixing it at home,” she informed.

One group of customers in particular has touched Klaire’s heart: the elderly.

“Those people have such a special place in my heart at the kitchen, because they’re talkers,” she said fondly.

“I love being around people and they’ll come in and tell me all about their week and what’s going on.”

What started as a small-scale operation has grown significantly, with customers coming to rely on Klaire’s Kitchen not only for nutritious meals but also for the personal touch she provides.

“It’s not just about the food,” she said.

“It’s about connection and making people’s lives easier.”

Klaire’s Kitchen operates with accessibility in mind.

There are no subscriptions, no commitments, and no minimum orders.

“It’s literally, like, if you want to try one meal, you just order and try,” she said.

Each week, customers place orders and meals are ready for pick-up on Mondays at her new location at the corner of Old Forest and Wiggington roads. This system allows flexibility for busy individuals and families who might not want the pressure of a meal plan but still need healthy options available.

Although meal prep businesses are common in larger cities, Maranto had noticed that Lynchburg lacked similar offerings.

“I actually met with someone, a meal prep business owner [in New York], and that was super insightful,” she said. “But here, there was really no one doing this.”
She started with modest expectations.

“I really went into it like, ‘Hey, as long as I can pay my bills and as long as I’m happy doing something that fuels me, I’m good,’” she said.
But demand quickly grew.

“I had people just calling me saying, ‘Hey, I hear you cook for so and so, would you do it for me?’”

When Klaire first moved back to Lynchburg, she and her husband expected their stay to be temporary.

“We had this idea that we were going to be here for three years and then move somewhere else,” she said. But as Klaire’s Kitchen grew, so did their sense of belonging.

“We can’t walk away from this now,” she said. “The business has grown so much, and I’ve built this incredible community here.”

She credits much of her success to Lynchburg’s strong network of small business owners and supportive residents.

“People here really want to support local businesses and that’s something special,” she said.

She said her business isn’t just about selling meals, but about helping and serving people.

“If you’re passionate about something, you have to go for it,” she said. “I’m so glad I took that leap, because now I get to wake up every day and do something I love.”