Riverside Runners

By Zoe Eisenberg

Are you a runner, biker or swimmer? Are you looking for a new pair of sneakers or searching for the perfect gift for the running fanatic in your family? If so, ditch your next trip to Dick’s and head to Riverside Runners, a specialty running, walking and swimming store.

Carrying name brands like Saucony, Brooks, Speedo, Montrail and Adidas, the store recently celebrated their 10^th year anniversary. With a wide variety of footwear, apparel and accessories, Riverside Runners is ideal for “runners, walkers, triathletes, swimmers and anyone who enjoys comfortable shoes,” says owner Jeff Fedorko.

The store is located on Rivermont Ave, nestled along the route of the  historic Virginia Ten Miler. Standing alone and free of commercial neighbors or strip-malls, the shop has become a destination location, and the perfect place in Lynchburg for a specialty running store; “anyone who runs in Lynchburg knows that Rivermont is a beautiful place to run,” notes Fedorko.

Great products and unique location are not the only reasons to visit the store. The staff at Riverside Runners are passionate about their products and trained to custom fit individuals for running and walking shoes that function for their feet, providing maximum cushioning and support. Employees are trained by a physical therapist specializing in feet and ankles, and many of Riverside Runners’ customers are not runners at all. “We have many customers who are referred to us by their doctor or physical therapist,” explains Fedorko, “because proper footwear is necessary for their recovery.”

“Motivating the Lynchburg Community to stay fit and active is a definite goal for us,” says Fedorko. Riverside Runners is heavily involved with a variety of road races in and outside of Lynchburg, such as the Virginia Ten Miler, the Lynchburg Half Marathon, and the Water for Life 5k held at Lynchburg college, which benefits Gulu, a city in Northern Uganda. The shop also maintains a close relationship with the Lynchburg Road Runners, a running club that has been in existence since the early 70s. Being involved in races has allowed the store to support fantastic causes, draw in new customers and help build and support a healthy community in Lynchburg.

There is a very active part to the Lynchburg population, and Fedorko and the rest of the Riverside Runners staff hopes that the shop can serve as a support team for those who want to be active and fit.  Store hours are Monday–Friday, 10:3o a.m.–7:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. For more information, stop by the store at 2301 Rivermont Avenue, call them at 434- 846-7449, visit them online at www.riversiderunners.com or send an email to info@riversiderunners.com.

Frankie + Millie

By Zoe Eisenberg

If you’re living in Lynchburg and looking for high-end fashion, your search ends here. viagra + Millie, the sweet little shop located at 4327 Boonsboro road, will meet all of your fashion and accessory needs.

The shop — which opened August 2009 — is owned by Lea Barksdale, a mother of three girls who all share a passion for fashion.  Before opening Frankie + Millie, Lea was a stay at home mom looking for a way to take her sole focus off of her children. “I wanted to do something just for myself,” says Lea. Lea saw an opening in the fashion niche here in Lynchburg and decided to fill it; the store houses everything from dresses to jeans, with a selection of top-quality belts, shoes, jewelry and bags.

While the shop carries top-shelf designers like Eileen Fisher and Rebecca Taylor, Frankie + Millie caters to women of all ages and sizes, with styles ranging from fancy formal to easy flow.  The store gets traffic from moms indulging in a little retail-therapy, students taking a break from studying and women looking for stylish clothes to wear to the office. Best sellers include James Jeans Twiggy Leggings and Sue London Flats. “My personal favorite would have to be anything Alice + Olive,” confesses Lea.

Lea travels with her husband to New York twice a year to the markets where she looks at vendors and orders any styles that are a Frankie + Millie must-have. In case you’re wondering, Frankie and Millie are not the names of Lea’s daughters; they are the names of the family dogs. Drop by the shop and you might find Frankie the bulldog asleep in his bed by the register.

Frankie + Millie is open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, visit www.FrankieandMillie.com, call the shop at (434) 384-5006 or get in touch with Lea at Lea@Frankieandmillie.com.

Zoe Eisenberg, Apps of All Nations

A graduate from Lynchburg College with a BA in English, Zoe Eisenberg is the content editor for Apps of All Nations, a company that develops apps for the iPhone and iPad. A certified holistic health coach, AADP, Zoe also works as a free lance-writer and cooks take-home gourmet vegetarian meals for private clients. If you need her, you can find her typing away furiously at her desk or with her head buried in a cook-book.

Bedford Avenue Meat Market

of-all-nations/”>By Zoe Eisenberg

Looking for a great cut of meat? How about a delicious, heat-and-eat entree or a hearty side to compliment your dinner? Stop by The Bedford Avenue Meat Market (BAM), Lynchburg’s only all natural meat shop, located at 2302 Bedford Ave.

Store owner Justin Mays opened the market with the plan to create a high-quality haven providing Lynchburg residents with gourmet selections of meat and cheese. Since its debut in June 2009, the one- stop-shop has proved to be more than your average meat market. Stop by the store and choose a juicy cut from the vast selection of meat – house-smoked ribs, beef, pork and poultry. The shop boasts organic, local and free range meat selections, as well as an array of artisanal cheeses, both imported and locally made, that are sure to be a hit at your next party.

Browse their soft, semi-soft and hard cheese selections, as well as a spread of gourmet olives, local honey, crackers, pasta, meat rubs and savory sauces. The shop also sells locally made pottery, which make the perfect holiday gift. One thing that makes BAM an unusual meat market is that the shop is vegetarian friendly. With delicious meat-free sides like edamame salad, grilled veggies, gazpacho, macaroni and cheese and more, you’re sure to find something suitable for each member of your family.

Stop in and pick up dinner on your way home from work, or swing by for lunch. Sit at a table and enjoy a daily lunch special, like the BAM burger with apple wood smoked bacon, an all beef chili dog in natural casing, a BBQ chicken sandwich, pulled pork, or some locally renowned ribs.

Ordering for a crowd? Call in for delivery of orders over 30.00, or ask BAM to cater your next event. The store is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am-7 pm. For more information, call 434-845-MEAT (6328), visit them online at BedfordAveMeatShop.com, send an email to JustinMays3@gmail.com, or find them on Facebook.

Checkout this article by Got2BGreen >

Comedy Zone Comes to Kirkley

Stop complaining about the lack of entertainment variety Lynchburg has to offer, and try the Kirkley’s Comedy Zone.

Most recent live, stand-up comedians the Comedy Zone had to offer were nationally known Tim Statum and Paul Strickland.

Every Friday & Saturday night, the club offers a two-act comedy show with an opener and a nationally known headliner. Tickets on average are $10-$15. In addition to the regular line-up of headliners, they plan to feature some of Comedy’s bigger names as well.

Checkout some of the live shots at Paul Strickland’s myspace page here >

Comedy Zone Website

Comedy Zone Facebook Page