Cori Blanch takes the helm of fxbg va main street

By Collette Caprara

Samples became active in Fredericksburg Main Street in 2020 after they launched first business venture, taking on ownership of the Curitiba Art Cafe, and were invited by former director Ann Glave to serve on the board as co-chairs of the Economic Vitality Committee. Megan will continue her work in this capacity as Cori moves to his new role.

Main Street America, whose primary mission is to support historic preservation and promote economic development of towns like Fredericksburg. We pursue our mission by advocating for the business community in an effort to keep our downtown healthy and vibrant for business owners, employees, residents, and visitors alike."

As a couple, Cori and Megan

A guiding maxim of all the endeavors that Cori and Megan pursue has been the importance of collaboration and mutual support to engender benefits for all. "Megan and I both take community service and advocacy very seriously and look forward to working with other entities as we continue to move forward," said Cori. "In addition to Main Street, I also collaborate with the Virginia Black Business Directory and the Arts Commission, and Megan also serves on the board for Continuum of Care as a liaison between services for those in need and the business community. Together, we host a number of community entities, artists, and nonprofits at Curitiba Art Cafe, and do quite a bit of advocacy work outside of the Fredericksburg community as well."

Cori says that business ownership has brought new insight and appreciation for the unique quality of our town. "Through our business, we have gotten to see diversity that continues to grow in downtown Fredericksburg. As an art location, we also get to see the incredible talent and the support that the Fredericksburg residents give to our art community here. We also see the opportunities to continue to make things even better for the business community and those who serve our great downtown, which is a large part of why I am looking forward to serving as the President of Main Street for this upcoming term."

"One of our greatest current challenges is addressing the ongoing difficulties of inflation and lingering impacts from COVID such as shipping and worker retention issues to name a few, and trying to be creative and effective at meeting these challenges in a holistic way," Cori said. "Brendan Kelly is our new Executive Director. We have enjoyed working with him the past 7 months and look forward to what can be done in the future."

"My vision for Main Street is to help grow our chapter into its full potential and to be more effective in how we serve our community as we continue to promote collaboration and create innovative solutions that will move our community forward. We can do that by compiling the wisdom of lessons that have been learned by the 120 plus businesses here in Fredericksburg to make downtown a place that will attract future entrepreneurs, property owners, tourists, and great employees alike. We want to take our collective wisdom and pay it forward to all the future entrepreneurs, helping them to be successful and to avoid some of the mistakes that may have been made."

Collette Caprara is a local artist and writer.

The mission of Fredericksburg Virginia Main Street is to preserve Fredericksburg’s historic fabric and rich cultural history while encouraging a thriving economic future www fredericksburgdowntown org fb@FxbgDowntown

Penny A Parrish Guest Porch Editorial

Contributing Writers & Artists

Elyse AdamsRita Allan

Jessica Addis Sally Cooney Anderson

Dianne BachmanLaurie Black

Meghan BudingerSonja Cantu

Collette CapraraChristien Coniff

Janet DouberlyJeannie Ellis

Jenna Elizabeth EdwardsEm Ford

Caroline FordFrank Fratoe

Bill FreehlingJon Gerlach

Liese HaleyKathleen Harrigan

Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks

Nancy KellyDavid C. Kennedy

Ray MikulaVanessa Moncure

Pete MorelewiczPatrick Neustatter

Penny A ParrishEmily Pawlak

M.L. PowersGerri Reid

Paula RaudenbushRob Rudick

Gaila SimsMandy Smith

Anne TimpanoRim Vining

Tina WillNorma Woodward

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