In this issue...
River District Stories: 206, 208 N. Union Street; River District Business Updates and Promotions; Dream Launch Pitch Awards; River District News; Parking Changes on Main Street; May Events; About the River District Association
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The Story of 206, 208 N. Union Street |
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206 and 208 N. Union before restoration. |
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Inside 208 N. Union before it was restored. It was previously used as a boxing gym. |
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This month we celebrate, not a specific business, but 206, and 208 N. Union Street, buildings that represent Danville's rich history of Black owned businesses and entrepreneurship.
"North Union Street, referred to as "Union Bottom" emerged as the African American Business District as the tobacco warehouses were relocated. From the late 1800's on upwards, African American businesses lined the street of North Union. Remnants of the entrepreneurial spirit left over from those days of old are still visible today. 208 N. Union from the late 1880's to 1915 were owned by Felix Dix, an African American minister and shoemaker. At 206 N. Union, in the late 1950's to 1970's Wilson Turner Show Shine and Repair was owned an operated by Benjamin Grant who ran a shoe shine shop. David Wilson and Robert Turner would be the next owners for 20 years. Robert Turner started shining downs down on N. Union at 8 years old in the late 1930's. He charged 7 cents, eventually this would turn into a side business. He went on to be employed with and was the first black loom fixer in Dan River Mills." - Information from the Civil Rights Distrx Self Guided Walking Tour by Karice Luck-Brimmer of Our History Matters.
Danville, VA was selected as one of 20 participants in the National 2018 Partners in Preservation campaign designed to celebrate historic diversity, and provide resources to communities for renovating and restoring historic buildings. Residents of Danville stepped up and voted for Danville daily for the month of October 2018, allowing the River District Association to secure $150,000 to contribute towards a portion of the cost to revitalize 206 and 208 N. Union Street. North Union Street has long been central to entrepreneurship in Danville, first as part of tobacco history and heritage, and later known as a mecca for black entrepreneurship. These specific buildings, constructed in the early 1900’s, needed rehabilitation to preserve our history and continue the legacy of North Union for the future entrepreneurs in our community. In the past these properties have contained tobacco warehouses, furniture stores, a lunch-and-billiards parlor, a cobbler shop, boxing gym, and art gallery.
Danville was one of 10 of the 20 selected communities to win the campaign.
Join us on May 7th, 2021 to celebrate the new life of these buildings, and their legacy. The Ribbon Cutting will be at 8:30 a.m. Please RSVP to Kirsten@riverdistrictassociation.com if you would like to attend. You can also tune in virtually on River City TV's Facebook Page.
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The City of Danville, Danville Industrial Development Authority, History United, National Trust for Historic Places, National Geographic, American Express, Main Street America, Partners in Preservation, John Daniel Builders, American National Bank, Attorney Erik Wishneff, Solex Architecture, Longwood SBDC |
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River District Business Updates and Promotions |
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News! - Grizzly's Hatchet House
680 Lynn Street
Karaoke Tuesdays
6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
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News! - Nana Karens
547 Main Street
Free Fries with the purchase of an entree, every weekday after 2 pm
$1 off our famous Cajun Fried Catfish Sandwich every Wednesday
Family Meal Friday: Buy 3 Get 1 Free, every Friday
Nana Karen’s Food Truck at Ballad Brewing on May 6-7, 13th, and May 20-22.
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406 Lynn Street
GRAND Opening May 1, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Tune in to River City TV on May 4th at 10 a.m. for a ribbon cutting ceremony.
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530 Main Street, Suite 307
Bookkeeping and Tax Preparation
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401 Bridge Street, Suite 200
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543 Main Street
Lifestyle Apparel
Currently your purchase benefits Bikers Against Trafficking Virginia
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Moved - Firefly Yoga will begin classes in their new brick and mortar location in April.
415 Main Street
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Community Builders Fund Applications Open - Middle Border Forward. If you have an idea to create positive impact in your community, apply online. Sponsorship recipients will receive financial and technical resources, and coaching.
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217 Lynn Street
Specializing in services related to personal injury, criminal defense, domestic relations, and real estate.
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Congratulations to the 2021 Dream Launch Pitch Award Recipients! |
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Click on the image below to download a copy of the River District Parking Map. |
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Photo credit - John Crane |
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Danville Farmers’ Market gears up for summer season - WDBJ7
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Bookstore to open in downtown Danville - Chatham Star Tribune
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Local fashion leader set to open professional photography studio |
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River District Association awards $50,000 in start-up funds to three Danville brick-and-mortar businesses - WFXR
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After survey, three concepts for downtown building will go back before the community - Danville Register and Bee
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Do you need volunteers?! MBF and the CCECC have created the Be the Change Exchange Facebook group that connects people who want to volunteer with organizations that need help. Simple!
How to participate:
2. Post your volunteer needs and contact information
3. Volunteers will contact you via the information your provided
4. Share and promote the group
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Sponsorship recipients will receive financial & technical resources as well as project coaching from MBF! MBF cannot wait to help you bring your awesome ideas to life! |
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Veronica Jackson - The Burden of Invisibility
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"Veronica Jackson’s work is autobiographical, stems from her position as a black woman marking space, and responds to the travails of her ancestors. She has a multidisciplinary visual-art practice based on an interpretive exhibit design, and architecture career spanning more than three decades. Jackson tells stories using quotidian objects such as felt-lined bulletin boards, clothing, hair, handmade paper, timecards, and text. Her work addresses several internal queries arising from her plight as a black woman in America: What does it mean to be invisible? How does the designation of invisibility affect her identity and sense of self?"
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Danville Public Library March Events |
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MON, MAY 3 AT 10 AM
TUE, MAY 4 AT 5:30 PM
TUE, MAY 4 AT 5:30 PM
May the 4th Be With You
THU, MAY 6 AT 5:30 PM
Mad Scientists
THU, MAY 6 AT 6 PM
The Write Stuff
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SAT, MAY 8 AT 10:30 AM
D&D for Teens
TUE, MAY 11 AT 5:30 PM
Keep Calm and Craft On
WED, MAY 12 AT 5:30 PM
Tween Craft Night
THU, MAY 13 AT 6 PM
Grimm Readers - Adult Book Club
MON, MAY 17 AT 6 PM
Pro-craft-inators
TUE, MAY 18 AT 4:30 PM
Library Scouts
TUE, MAY 18 AT 7 PM
Storytime Under the Stars
THU, MAY 20 AT 5:30 PM
Dumbledore's Army
FRI, MAY 21 AT 5 PM
Among Us: Life Size Edition
TUE, MAY 25 AT 5:30 PM
Tree House Tuesday
TUE, MAY 25 AT 5:30 PM
Corky Creations
WED, MAY 26 AT 5:30 PM
Paint and Sip for Kids
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Opening Day of the Danville Community Market
Saturday, May 1, 7:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Make Danville Shine Home Expo to kick off May, the clean-up, fix-up month.
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Photo credit: City of Danville |
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Fitness Day - Danville Parks and Recreation - Carrington Pavillion
Saturday, May 1, 12 p.m.
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Do you have concerns about what's happening in the world today? Your City? Your Neighborhood? Let’s come together and have a "Real Talk."
These events are usually every Wednesday. Keep an eye on the Danville Police Department Facebook Page for info on upcoming events.
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Thursday, May 6th, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 6th from 2 PM-5PM to meet with Foster Care Expert Tameka Roberson!
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Bring the whole family out for a FREE movie night under the stars at Danville Parks and Recreation’s Movies at the Crossing. We will have games, food and activities for your family and friends to enjoy. Each film will be shown on the big screen starting at 8:30 p.m. Call Danville Parks and Recreation at (434)793-4636 for more details. |
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Friday, May 7th - Trolls
Friday, May 21st - Sing
Friday, August 13 - Wonder
Friday, August 27 - Coco
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Saturday, May 8th, 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
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Find your furry brewery buddy at Ballad! We've teamed up with the Pittsylvania Pet Center to have a monthly adoption day. Meet a few of the dogs available adopt in the taproom! |
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Carrington Pavilion - Danville Symphony Orchestra
Saturday, May 8th, 3 p.m.
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Barn Quilt Painting (2x2) - The Main Street Art Collective
May 13th, 4 p.m.- 8 p.m.
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Make a simple but beautiful textured planter from a slab of clay. Clay needs to dry overnight before glazing so you may either choose a color glaze for the instructor to glaze later or you may come back the next week to glaze. $40 includes all supplies. This class is a collaborative with Impotters Clayworx and will be held at their new studio located at 406 Lynn St, Danville.
Pieces will be fired in a kiln and delivered to Main Street Art Collective at 326 Main St, Danville for pick up in two weeks.
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May 18th, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
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In this workshop, we will address several topics that can help participants become better prepared to address groups large and small. Even if you do not have a hobby or a career that requires public speaking, the tips and training can help anyone - even just answering the phone - feel more comfortable in communicating with others. |
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Love Wins Wheat IPA - Our annual Pride Celebration Beer features a diverse collection of hops in a recipe co-fermented with two yeasts for subtle clove and banana esters, a hazy body, and bold citrus hop flavors. A portion of each case sold will be donated to supporting pride and mental health within our community. |
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May 22nd, 2021 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Live and Live Streamed
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Felice McWilliams will teach everyone the art of painting a beautiful mandala. $30 fee includes all supplies. Students will get a practice CD along with one LP album to dot. Variety of paints will be available to use during the class. Students will be given wooden tools and two paints to take home. |
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May 31st, 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
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Come hit the Murph workout in honor of our country's fallen heroes this Memorial Day! We will divide it up into heats so everyone has ample space. Registration fee is $40 which covers a donation to the Lt. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation and ALSO includes a limited edition Old 97 Murph shirt! Tickets available April 26 through May 7. Heats will be released shortly after ticket sales are closed. |
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What is the River District Association? |
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Do you want to be a part of a thriving River District? RDA takes Board of Directors applications all year long. Fill out an interest form to be considered for the next board opening!
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Mission:
RDA's mission is to ensure the long term viability of Danville's River District as a center of business and civic life, and a source of community pride.
Vision:
Danville's River District will be a vibrant place to live, work, and visit for the diverse population of Danville and the greater Dan River region.
Board of Directors:
William Crumpton
Compassion Healthcare
President
Kelvin Perry
CoD Economic Development
Vice President
Steven Osborne
Adams and Fisk, PLC
Secretary
Stuart Smith
FCS, Inc
Treasurer
Rachel Covington
Hawthorne and Jade Design Co. LLC
Past President
Robin Jones
Vintages by the Dan
Philip Hayes
Noblis
Christy Harper
Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce
Danielle DuCré
Chatham Hall
Varun Sadana
The Launch Place
Hampton Wilkins
Wilkins and Co.
Andrew Herring
West Main Baptist Church
Emma Sellers
Averett University
Shani Gaylord
PATHS, Inc.
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Who We Are
The River District Association (RDA) is comprised of a volunteer Board of Directors which includes representatives from River District businesses and property owners, the City of Danville, and other community stakeholders.
What We Do
RDA follows the Main Street model to coordinate the public-private partnerships required to revive the River District. We work with the City of Danville, area businesses, and institutions to develop programs and events to get the community working together to market the area's unique assets, to get the district in top physical shape, and to attract and retain businesses.
Why We Do It
As our City Council and City Manager have publicly stated, the economic health of the city is impacted by the River District. A downtown with empty buildings and blight conveys a negative image. A prosperous downtown tells the world that the business sector can work well with the City to bring about positive change. With a number of development projects taking place, the River District has reclaimed its role as a vital, important and pleasant place to work, shop, and have fun.
When We Meet
The RDA Board of Directors meets the first Thursday of each month at 5:30 in the evening. For more information about these meetings, or to seek assistance with a matter, please call or email RDA's office or contact any Board member.
What You Can Do
We need YOU! Would like to play an active role in the revival of the River District? Do you have any special ideas or talents, or simply want to volunteer with a project, please contact us by phone at 434-791-0210 or by email. One of our dedicated volunteer board members will respond.
River District Association Staff
Diana Schwartz: Executive Director
Kirsten Aherron: Communication and Events Manager
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River District Association | www.riverdistrictassociation.com
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