Let's Be Friends: An Affair to Remember Video - Recorded at An Affair to Remember | Walking Mall, Winchester, VA

Guests:

What We Talked About:

An Affair to Remember (ATR Video)

"Have You Met" Video Series

A Friends of Old Town initiative produced in partnership with AATR Video
Short ~45-second videos introducing Old Town businesses to the public
Three questions: Who are you? What don't people know about your shop? Why did you choose Old Town?
First video featured Moon Phased — strong engagement and follower growth reported
Businesses share videos across their own social media and tag both Friends of Old Town and AATR

Taylor Pavilion — Phase One Complete

New permanent stage extension (fits a full band)
New canopy over the stage for weather/sun coverage
New lighting from Mountain Trails wall to the pavilion
Public art planned for the Wine Room building wall and Mountain Trails corner
Funding: $75K Virginia Main Street downtown improvement grant + $30K from the Winchester EDA + ~$30K in volunteer in-kind hours
Phase two in progress: aluminum truss lighting, outdoor weatherproof projector/screens for movies, and more public art
First major use of the new stage: Apple Blossom Festival performances

Brady's Trip to Tulsa — Main Street America Conference

Annual national conference for Main Street directors and staff
This year's theme: placemaking — how cities balance preserving history while moving forward
Highlights: public art on Route 66, collaborative business activation strategies
Connected with Greg Beam (now Assistant Town Manager, Mount Jackson) about future collaborations

Upcoming Events in Old Town Winchester:

Apple Blossom Kickoff Party — Thursday before Apple Blossom, 6–8:30 PM at Bistro Sojo. Buffet, complimentary wine, DJ, cash bar. Portion of proceeds benefit Highland Food Pantry. Reserve at bistrosojo.com (~20 tickets remaining at time of recording)
First Friday — June 5
Hop Blossom — June 6
KidzFest — June 13
Juneteenth — June 19
VA250 Jubilee — Coming in 2026
Full events calendar: friendsofoldtown.org
Social: Friends of Old Town on Facebook | @FriendsofOldTownWINC on Instagram