Mainstreet Maven: Sandi Cararo
Tucked into a narrow storefront along Beverley Street in the heart of downtown Staunton, Virginia, sits The Book Dragon—a small shop with a big spirit, run by a woman whose story is just as compelling as the titles she stocks.
Meet Sandi Cararo, Army veteran, dog mom, relentless book lover, and the heart behind Staunton’s independent bookstore. She’s a force on Main Street—part dreamer, part pragmatist, all moxie.
A girlfriends weekend in Thomasville
We love planning a great girls weekend, so we decided that a series of itineraries for girls weekends was in order! Sometimes the girls want to get away and play tennis, go horseback riding or spend time on their shared craft. For the first in our series, we escape to the small south Georgia town of Thomasville. This small town has so much going for it - we will likely be returning with new itineraries.
A New Catalyst for Women in Business kicks off in Staunton
Walk through downtown, and you’ll find thriving storefronts, creative studios, and bustling cafés—often run by dedicated women we have come to call “Main Street Mavens.” We are finding them in so many of our small towns. An energy and passion that ignites the possibilities that may have sat a little quiet - but not any more. Now, these innovators have a new community hub to elevate their voices and expand their dreams: Valley Women Collab.
Small-Town Spirit and Big Ideas: Meet Staunton’s Megan Burrows of Burrow & Vine
Tucked away in the rolling hills of the Shenandoah Valley, Staunton, Virginia, has a way of surprising people. For entrepreneur Megan Burrows, Staunton became the perfect backdrop for her business, Burrow & Vine, and the launchpad for a thriving community of women in small business. I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Megan about what brought her here, how her shop came to be, and why she agrees with us at MoxieTowns that small-town Main Streets are brimming with potential.
A Quicktake: Camden, Maine
Perched on the rugged coast of Maine, about 80 miles northeast of Portland, Camden greets visitors with a picturesque blend of maritime charm and mountain vistas. The downtown area, with its classic New England architecture and vibrant seaside energy, invites you to step back in time while enjoying modern amenities. This part of midcoast Maine offers so much and within a short drive there are even more small towns and new vistas to take in, that it feels like the charm of Camden just overflows north, south and west.
Indulge in Sweet Bliss at The Split Banana Co.
Stepping into The Split Banana Co. feels like entering a traditional European gelateria. The inviting atmosphere, coupled with a display of vibrant gelato flavors behind the glass, beckons you to indulge.