Signs of the Times

Welcome to the James Exchange! I am Nancy Gill your host. I like polls.

Results from the last two polls:
Poll #1: Is Lincoln’s Work a Gift to Scottsville:
Yes: 100%
No: 0%
Not Sure: 0%

Poll #2: Do you know where Liam is?
Kalamazoo: 0%
Dublin: 44%
Missoula: 44%
Flying Around the World: 11%

Well folks, he is in Missoula decked out in the brown of UPS!

Today’s poll is:

All subscribers have one week to register their vote.

Now on to “Signs of the Times”

I apologize up front if I have left a business out. Contact me and we will set up a time for a podcast! Even if I included your business, contact me and we will set up a time for a podcast…

Over the past year or so, Scottsville has seen an uptake in new businesses coming to town. Several have opened and some are almost there. What does this mean for the changing landscape? Well, in the Scottsville/Village Shopping Center it is basically signage as well as downtown on Valley and Main Streets. The sign we are waiting for will be at the intersection of Rt. 20/Valley and Rt. 726/James River. This of course is Tiger Fuel Company which will soon be known as “The Market.” This has changed Scottsville’s landscape. (See previous podcast/newsletter on this).

So the “Signs of the Times” are:

Generations Montessori School

Not just a new sign, but a complete renovation and layout. More on this later!

The Scottsville House

Another complete renovation with Air B&Bs and a commercial/retail space.

The Switching Station (also referred to as the Telephone Exchange Building)

Again, a complete renovation and is now an Air B&B.

Inspired By The Dress

Not only a new business which caters to brides, but a storefront mural to boot.

James River Outdoor Provisions—they also sell sports stuff.

Don’t let the small graphics fool you. They have a lot of products for outdoor adventures and sports.

Elcazador

I hear El Cazador is down to the final permit approvals. Accordiing to County staff, the fire suppression system has passed inspection. Not sure of where they stand on the ABC license and Health Department inspection—stay tuned for this most anticipated Mexican restaurant!

Quick Tobacco & Vape

It took awhile, but the sign was recently installed.

Rite Aid

A new pharmacy for Scottsville.

Ivy Rehab

Coming soon! Like mid-March. More on this for the weekend.

What About that SCAN Land?

Robert “Bobby” Spencer donated 13 =/- acres to SCAN-Scottsville Center for Art and the Natural Environment providing an open space for trails, native plantings, and possibly a center inclusive of all the arts. Under the leadership of Erin Root, former President of SCAN, trails were established as well as a connection to the Town’s trail system. The story is much larger than this, and I am working on it for a future podcast.

The Spencer grave sites are directly across from the property. Bobby’s headstone is almost in line with SCAN’s sign off Hardware Street.

Is this still a thing?

Now a little sign of the times that is an indicator not a sign:

VDOT put this on James River Road by the entrance to Tiger Fuel/The Market’s entrance. Looks like a traffic study will be done. They may consider one on James River Road—the other side of Valley Street.

The signs I used in this podcast are just that. What they tell is a much bigger story on Scottsville’s local economy. Ironically, it is the businesses and their clients that drive the budget of our town. More on this later.

I cannot finish a podcast without:

The View From My Front Yard

I haven’t spoken with or emailed Maurice, Nick, or Gordon in awhile, but it is getting close. Paving is being done as I type this. Stay tune for the opening date and when the Grand Opening will be—who will be the first customer for the carwash?

On this note, as always, if you have a song, a story, an event, an issue—seems nobody wants to talk about issues—perhaps it is time for a conversation!

Have a great rest of your week!