One of the oldest extant American tobacco brands is Dill’s. J.G. Dill was once a great Virginia tobacco company, known worldwide for its Dill’s Best pipe tobacco. While as far as we know the tobacco brand Dill’s does not survive, Dill’s Premium Pipe Cleaners, known by their yellow and redMORE HERE
We are fascinated by the whole idea of the woman’s exchange movement, which started in the 1830s to allow “nice” women to sell goods on consignment to make spending money. In an age when there were few jobs for women and working outside the home had a stigma, this wasMORE HERE
GOOCHLAND, VA – There aren’t too many drive-ins left, but some thrive. We can think specifically of Hull’s Drive In of Lexington, Virginia, where a community comes together summer nights to watch movies in their car. Hull’s almost closed, but the community rallied round, and saved the theater. There areMORE HERE
SAVANNAH – So you want to start a business, and you need a name and an idea. How about looking back, and seeing what companies were prominent in your community, and re-starting the brand? That was the route of Savannah, Georgia based Leopold’s Ice Cream, which was restarted by StrattonMORE HERE
SUFFOLK – The home of the founder of Mr. Peanut, Amadeo Obici, is in danger of destruction, and has been named to Preservation Virginia’s Most Endangered list, just released this week. Obici was the founder of Planter’s Peanuts, and moved his company from Pennsylvania to Virginia to be closer toMORE HERE
RICHMOND – I am a bit partial to the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. They saved Jamestown Island, began the effort to save Williamsburg and have saved hundreds of historic houses across the state with their many affiliate groups. They have been a strong and potent advocate forMORE HERE
I’d like to send a warning to those cities that are looking at putting up a new venue for their local ball clubs: The era of “retro” parks could end soon. (Quite an upbeat theme for baseball’s Opening Day, eh?) This also dovetails into a recent post on the theMORE HERE
Editor’s Note: Since the publication of this story, there has been increased interest in the building site, which was one of the Green Book locations. The Green Book itself was made famous in the 2018 movie. GLOUCESTER – Anyone who has driven Gloucester’s Route 17 knows the W.J. Stokes Tavern.MORE HERE
RICHMOND – Worth a visit is the restored Miller & Rhoads department store building, which is now Miller & Rhoads Residences condominiums and a Hilton Garden Inn. Click on the link above to learn about the condo project and to make reservations in the hotel. It is hard to believeMORE HERE
An enduring independent brand of apple juice, vinegar and apple products is White House of Winchester, Virginia. Today, its products are still American grown, and it is one of the rare brands that has not been taken over and outsourced by private capital. The apples in its products come fromMORE HERE