Happenings March 09 - Downtown Blackstone Inc.

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New Image Kick-off draws
large enthusiastic Work Begins! crowd
The façade at 107 W. Broad Street will be among those getting
a facelift during the final phase of the Façade Program.
A
fter months of evaluations and discussions
which characterized the contract phase of the
downtown façade project, the town and DBi
are finally entering into the construction phase of the
program. The contracting was completed by B&B
Consultants.
As a result of B&B’s initial work, W.E. Bowman, the
contractor with the lowest bid, was awarded the contract
to do the actual work. Property owners can now
submit their detailed plans for final review by the Design
Committee. Once approved, work on their
buildings can proceed as planned..
Anticipated completion of the facades being improved
with the help of the CBDG grant is this fall.
In the meantime, DBi will chronicle the change by
posting before and, as completed, after photos of each
building front. The public will be able to view
these at the DBi office on Broad St. A special
event is being planned to celebrate
the completion of the work and Blackstone’s
new look!
Holiday Open House a Success
Although it now seems long ago, DBi is pleased to report that the Holiday
Open House last December was a big success. The downtown
area was bustling with activity and businesses enjoyed the store
traffic that resulted.
The hope is make the Open House bigger and better this year. To
help make that happen, DBi recently completed a survey of
downtown businesses. Results of the survey are being compiled
and recommendations considered. Additional suggestions are
welcome. Contact Lafayette Dickens with your thoughts.
March 2009
DBi Gets New Home
D
Bi has now moved into its own, fully
equipped office. Located in what was
previously one of the most blighted
properties in the CDBG project area, the beautiful
renovation was the work of board chairman
Joe Allman who owns the building. It is located
next door to Gilmore Environmental at 107 W.
Broad Street.
Thanks to the assistance of the town manager
Larry Palmore, who drove DBi members to
Richmond to get office furniture from a surplus
store and sent over a lamp and chair mat, Blackstone
Emporium owner Beth Winn who assisted
with the selection and placement of plants and a
lamp, and an anonymous donor who provided
two bookcases and a credenza, DBi was able to
furnish the office for an extremely reasonable
price.
Rent for the space is a new expense for DBI but
to help, Blackstone Town Council voted to set
aside proceeds from the sale of surplus town
vehicles to cover this cost for our first year.
Come on in and see
the beautiful new
DBi office for
yourself!
The winner of the
Win the Window
contest…
...Linda Codispoti!!
Congatulations!!
Did you know?
Downtown Happenings is
published quarterly by
DBi as a way to let the
public know of the organization’s
accomplishments,
progress, and upcoming
events. We invite feedback
as well as suggestions for
articles and reports. Contact
Lafayette Dickens,
Executive Director at 292-
3041 or Lucia Malon,
Editor at 292-4783 with
submissions.
Downtown Blackstone,
Inc. is the organization
created to implement
the Virginia Main
Street Program in
Blackstone which was
chosen as a Main Street
town in 2007. Over 20
Virginia communities
have been revitalized
with the help of the
Main Street program.
DBI’s Mission
Downtown Blackstone,
Inc. will provide leadership
in developing and
promoting Downtown
Blackstone as an inviting
place to visit and shop, a
productive place to work
and a profitable place to
invest.

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Director shares Progress at Retreat in Luray
On January 28th and 29th, Executive Director Lafayette Dickens attended
a Virginia Main Street Managers Retreat in Luray. All Main
Street Directors were required to attend
but we wouldn’t feel too sorry
for them. They stayed at the historic
Mimslyn Inn. And, according to
Lafayette, “The experience was made
all the more magical by the snowy
winter wonderland setting.”
The retreat spanned two days during
which Main Street managers from all
over the state got a chance to share their successes and best practices as
well as challenges. The sessions covered included work planning and
why that is important, roles and responsibilities of managers, and effective
committee management.
Lafayette reports that he returned from
the retreat invigorated and eager to implement
some of the ideas for benefit of
Blackstone. He wasn’t just talk. One of
the ideas recently embraced is participation
in a blog that should help Blackstone
businesses and residents gain
some new perspective and be a valuable
source of fresh,
new ideas. For
more information on the blog, see the inset.
Visit the Virginia Main Street blog...
http://dhcdvms.wordpress.com
Among the timely topics: Recession Advertising,
23 Ideas for Tough Times, Focus & Attitude.
Add your 2¢ worth!
The Downtown Blackstone, Inc. Board of Directors:
• Joe Allman, Chairman - Fisher & Allman
• Janette Baranishyn, Vice Chairman - Blackstone Antique & Craft Mall
• Shirley Wilkins, Secretary - Moncure Insurance Agency
• Joe Borgerding, Treasurer - Citizens Bank & Trust Company
• Ben Green, Councilman - Town of Blackstone
• C. Duncan Quicke, Councilman - Town of Blackstone
• Beth Winn, Economic Restructuring Chair - Blackstone Emporium
• Louis Malon, Design Committee Chair - APVA Preservation Virginia
• Francis Gilmore, Gilmore Environmental Consulting
• Barbara Gibbs, Ex-Officio, Blackstone Chamber of Commerce
• Larry Palmore, Ex-Officio, Town Manager, Town of Blackstone
• Lafayette Dickens, Ex-Officio, Program Manager, DBI
Key DBi volunteer Field Green (Promotions and Organization
Committees and DBi webmaster) has been busy
with other efforts as well since last Fall. She is co-chair
of Leadership Nottoway, a ten-session program that provides,
among other things, insight into the area’s strategic
plans for economic development. This year’s class,
which included DBi Executive Director
Lafayette Dickens, just
graduated. They concluded the
program with the presentation of
team projects which focused on
photo
ways to improve our community.
The next Leadership Nottoway
class will begin in 2010.
DBi Committees:
DESIGN
Louis Malon, Chairman
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DBi members play key roles in
Leadership Nottoway
DBi to team up with Blackstone Rotary
to get Downtown Cleaned up.
In an effort to get and keep the downtown area free of
trash and weeds and other unsightly things, DBi is partnering
with The Blackstone Rotary Club on a clean-up
strategy. Under the direction of Myra Quicke, Rotary
has held regular clean-ups including a community cleanup
day each Spring. As a town, we owe them a lot for
their efforts. Thank you, Rotarians!!!
DBi Excited About New Community
Theater Productions at Mitchell’s
Have you heard? Mitchell’s now has a stage and will be
the site of regular community theater productions starting
in May. What a great development for downtown!
The brainchild of Tilly Conley, the productions will also
be directed by her. Tilly directed the popular and successful
“Sound of Music” last year. The first production
will be “Arsenic and Old Lace.” Acting classes are also
being held. Check out the Courier-Record for more info.
PROMOTION
Sara Ryan, Chairman
ECONOMIC
RESTRUCTURING
Beth Winn, Chairman
ORGANIZATION
Joe Allman, Chairman

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Committees Submit 2009 Plans
Highlights of the workplans for each committee are:
Organization:
♦ Database updates &
enhancements
♦ membership directory
♦ expanded Internet presence
♦ enhanced communication
♦ regular public meetings,
♦ marketing plan for Fall.
Design:
♦ Streetscape improvement,
♦ sign program,
♦ adopt-a-block program,
♦ regular updates of guidelines,
♦ coordination of efforts with town,
♦ ongoing education and
recognition for property owners.
A +
Promotions:
♦ New fundraisers,
♦ ongoing merchant-supported
promotional activities,
♦ special holiday promotions
and activities,
♦ enhanced use of the website.
Economic Restructuring:
♦ Business owner and consumer
surveys,
♦ business owners meetings,
♦ educational workshops,
♦ economic research,
♦ market analysis,
♦ recruitment package.
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Tips for Keeping Business Up
in a Down Economy
As the economy continues to slow down, many business
owners are worried about how they will make it through
the difficult times. If you’re one of them, now’s the time
to get out of your comfort zone and consider new strategies!
Make change an acceptable part of your business
model. Among the strategies you might try:
• Ask your customers for their input. What is affecting
their buying habits? Is there a way you can help?
• Think of ways to improve your service and/or expand
your product/service offerings.
• GET MORE TECH SAVVY - it could mean a whole
new customer segment for you.
• Get your employees involved. Keep them motivated.
They might come up with some great ideas!
• Be creative, flexible, proactive. People will still be
spending money. They will just be more selective.
Spot the Cougar and Win a Prize!
Have YOU seen the cougar? Well, now’s your chance!
The cougar, as you
probably know, has
come to really like
Blackstone. As a
matter of fact, he
reads the Courier
Record every week
to see if he’s in
there. He’s begun hanging around downtown and is
now in the DBi window. Soon he might be spotted in
any of the stores or businesses in the historic district. It
could be in a chair at a furniture store, getting a trim at
the hair salon, or exercising at the gym. So keep your
eye out! If you see him, e-mail*Lafayette Dickens at
manager@ downtownblackstone.org. Let him know
the date, time, and exact location of the sighting and
you could win a great prize! And, starting April 1, be
sure to read the Courier-Record to get clues about
where he might turn up next!
*or come by the office an entry form.
Need a haircut? Want to get fit? Been thinking about getting a will done? Getting insurance?
Look no further than Downtown Blackstone where you’ll find these services:
Accountants/Tax Services:
Barbara Gibbs & Associates
Connelly’s Financial Service
Nottoway Office Services
Banks:
BB&T
Citizen’s Bank & Trust
Dentists:
Dr. James Bradshaw
Dr. Mark Reitz
Insurance:
Mahey/Irby Insurance Agency
Moncure Insurane Agency
Richard Cobbs Insurance
Professional Services:
Teefey & Teefey Attorneys
Walden & Walden Attorneys
Real Estate:
Blackstone Realty
Tennek Realty
Salons/Barbers:
All About Hair
Classic Cut Barber Shop
Victoria’s Beauty Salon
Other:
Johnny’s Firm & Fitness

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A Great big THANKS
to Teefey & Teefey
U
ntil taking the position of DBi Executive Director - although I
knew that there was a Teefey and Teefey law firm on Main
Street - I did not know who Joe Teefey was. I got to meet him
when he graciously offered to let DBi operate rent free out of his upstairs
offices. He let us stay until we were able to
move into an office space of our own.
I sat down with Joe late last year and talked with
him about Blackstone’s revitalization initiative. We
spoke about bringing in the right businesses to complement
those that are here, attaining sustainable
growth, and the benefit of preserving and rehabilitating
existing buildings. I found his observations
to be astute and valuable. It was obvious that he
truly cared about Blackstone and its future. I
wanted to know more about this interesting man.
by
Lafayette Dickens
Joe attended Benedictine High School in Richmond, graduated from
Hamden Sydney College and eventually earned his law degree from
the University of the District of Columbia in Washington D.C. Before
becoming an attorney, he worked as a mortgage banker.
Out of law school, he worked for U.S. Senator Paul
Tribble. He has also worked for the Republican National
Committee.
Joe’s wife Brooke, whom he married right out of law
school, practices law as well. She specializes in child
protective issues.
Teefey and Teefey P.C. came about 10 years ago when
Joe decided that it was time for a career change. He
was a public defender for Lunenburg and Mecklenburg
Counties and thought it might be time for his own practice.
Brooke was familiar with Blackstone and the Honorable
Les Osborne, then a colleague who practiced law
in Kenbridge, and saw a need in Nottoway County for
Blackstone, you’re about to get Lucky!
115 South Main Street
Doris
Wagoner
Joe
Teefey
a family and criminal practice. She encouraged her husband
to pursue the opportunity. After doing due diligence,
he looked at several locations before renting space
upstairs in the building he now owns at 115 S. Main
Street. There he practices domestic and criminal law,
handling cases from all over Southside Virginia.
The Teefeys actually live in Chesterfield. When asked
why he chose to set up shop in Blackstone instead of in
Chesterfield, Joe said, “Often people
who must reveal their personal business
in the course of being helped
don’t necessarily want someone who
lives in the community. It can be
awkward.”
Although he doesn’t live here, Joe
makes every effort to be a part of the
community. He feels that being located
on Main Street helps him stay
connected with the town and its residents.
He also believes in giving
back to the community. He does this by making a point
of shopping and dining locally whenever he can. And by
quietly doing kind and generous things like donating the
free space to DBi.
Crystal
Houser
Those of you who remember Dillard Crawley Hardware might want to check out the building at 114 S. Main
St. It‘s undergoing lots of changes and is about to be given new life. If all goes as planned, it will soon
open as Lucky 8’s Sports Bar. In addition to large screen TVs, it will feature pool tables and billiards, a
game arcade, and a dance hall! Come summer, a special teen night should be on the schedule.
Owner Dwayne Coffer has been working hard for the last several months to get it ready. He says,
“I want to have people coming to Blackstone—instead of having to drive to...Farmville or Lynchburg
and different places in Richmond to fellowship and eat while watching the Boston Celtics , my favorite
team, win their 18th NBA Championship this coming summer.” Want to get Lucky? Come on downtown!
Joe and Brooke have four children, an 11
year old son, Mitchell, and 7 year old
triplets, Grace, Elle, and Maclay. He’s
very involved with both his church and
the Boy Scouts. He describes himself as
a naturally curious person who was
taught by his dad at an early age to “learn
a little something from everyone.” He
must have listened to his dad. He knows
a lot about dealing with people.
We should all be glad that Joe Teefey
came to Blackstone.

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Fran and Jamie’s Discount Center
F
ran and Jamie’s Discount Center
opened at its present location, 220
South Main Street, in April of 2005 as
a bargain-priced store with a diverse selection
of personal and household items. In November
of 2006, model trains and hobby items
were added to the mix. Recently, the variety
of model train products was expanded.
Name brands now include Lionel, Atlas, Williams,
MTh, and Bachmann. All accessories
including tracks, signal lights, figurines of
people and animals and scenery are now available.
The owners of Fran and Jamie’s are Frances and Beverly
Pemberton. So
who’s Jamie?
“He’s my grandson,”
explains
Frances. She
then tells the
story behind the
opening of the
store:
“After retiring
from a career in
retail sales, my
grandson Jamie and I began holding yard sales on a regular basis.
We were quite successful but, because of the summer heat and
the winter cold, we were limited in our activity. So I decided to
open up a shop and move my business inside.”
Have you tried the new Blackstone
Coffee and Bistro?
Bev Pemberton and
his hobby area.
“And then I got involved,” says husband Bev. “I’m
the train and hobby enthusiast and I saw a void for
that type of product here in Blackstone.“
So is Fran and Jamie’s destined to
become a hobby shop? Not at all!
Bev quickly describes their retail
philosophy:
“Our goal is to be the kind of store
that people love coming to because
they can always find something they
want and like,“ Bev says. He continues,
“ We want to be known not
only for hobby supplies but for our
variety of great products - the products
that people have said they want
to have available here. So we’re listening! We encourage
folks to tell us what they want!”
Frances adds, “We also want to be known as the
kind of place where you might find that great bargain
or unusual item that you’ll talk about for
weeks. Because we sure do have those!”
The new Blackstone Coffee and Bistro opened for business right before the holidays and
has been evolving nicely ever since. They started with breakfast and lunch 6 days
a week and are now adding dinner on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Owners Angie Sklute and Sheryl Reitz note, “We will be open for dinner
from Wednesday through Saturday starting on March 18th and new hours will
be Monday, Tuesday and Saturday from 7:30am-4pm, Weds.-Friday from
7:30am-9pm .” The versatile new restaurant with a cozy atmosphere also
offers special-occasion fixed price dinners and catering for all types of events.
If you think
Fran and
Jamie’s Discount
Center
sounds
like a terrific
place to
explore,
you‘re
right! Why
not check it
out…today?
Angie Sklute
For more information, call: 298-3975.