Farm fresh

By Paul Ting Spring is springing, in its Virginia way, with perfect breezy days becoming more frequent every week. For many locals, the annual return of chirping birds means rolling out of bed early on Saturday and heading downtown, to the City Market. The beloved market has been in action since 1973, providing an opportunity […]

Share the (common)wealth: A guide to local gourmet gifts

Many of us are eagerly anticipating the chance to turn the page on what has been a unique and challenging year. However, at least one challenge remains before we can put 2020 behind us—shopping for holiday gifts.  There is perhaps no better time to shop local. Not only can you avoid possible shipping delays, but […]

From scratch: Bowerbird Bakeshop opens despite tough times

Bowerbird Bakeshop debuted at Charlottesville City Market’s annual holiday market in late 2017, at a shared table on a side row that got little foot traffic. Pastry chef Earl Vallery had just moved to town after helping launch Whisk bakery in Richmond, and before that, teaching at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in […]

‘The last straw:’ Woodard pulls the plug on West2nd

Developer Keith Woodard has abandoned his plan to build a $50 million castle of downtown luxury condos and retail space on a city-owned Water Street parking lot. “The project was a tremendous undertaking, and over time, the process of obtaining the  necessary approvals became very difficult and at times adversarial, causing continual delays and uncertainty,” […]

Market Plaza gets new name

To forestall the inevitable confusion of people looking for Market Plaza on Market Street, the future Water Street home of City Market has been renamed West2nd. Under a broiling sun September 8, developer Keith Woodard announced the $50 million mixed-use project’s new moniker. “We’ll still have a market, we’ll still have a plaza at West2nd,” […]

LIVING Picks: August 31-September 6

Food & Drink Virginia Food Truck Battle Sunday, September 4 Twelve area food trucks will fight it out for the title of “best food” at the second annual Virginia Food Truck Battle & Beer Competition. Proceeds benefit The MaDee Project, which helps families and their children with pediatric cancer. $10, 2pm. Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia, […]