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Hey neighbor,
Happy Tuesday! We've got a good one for you today, starting with some news: there's a Prohibition-era speakeasy taking shape underneath Goolrick's. We've also got a genuinely wild one, movie nights on a boat, watching Jaws, all September long. Add in a free family festival this Saturday, a Stafford gym that's building a lot more than muscle, and a gala worth clearing your calendar for, and it's a packed issue. Oh, and don't forget to weigh in on our new eateries poll, tell us which of these new spots you've tried.
Let's get into it.
Dori
Neighbor Poll
The Fredericksburg-area food scene keeps expanding, with new spots landing in the city, Stafford, and Spotsylvania. Here are just a few of the new restaurants that have opened lately, from Korean BBQ to Thai and sushi to French bakery. Have you tried any of these yet?
Which of these new Fredericksburg-area eateries have you tried?
- Crab O'Clock (Spotsylvania)
- Elephant's Nest Thai and Sushi Bar (Fredericksburg)
- KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot (Fredericksburg)
- Mezeh Mediterranean Grill (Stafford)
- Paris Baguette (Fredericksburg)
- Robles Kitchen (Fredericksburg)
- Stockyards (Fredericksburg)
- Turning Point (Stafford)
- Water & Barley (Fredericksburg)
- None
Local Pulse: FXBG Edition
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A Prohibition-Era Speakeasy Is Coming to Goolrick's Basement
Beneath the newly restored Goolrick's, work is underway on Section 7, a Prohibition-era speakeasy set to open later this year with entrances from both Goolrick's and George Street. The name nods to the section of the Volstead Act that once let pharmacies like Goolrick's legally dispense medicinal whiskey during Prohibition, a fitting bit of history for a building that has served the community since 1808. No opening date has been announced yet, but the concept adds a new layer to downtown Fredericksburg's most storied address.
The Last PIES of Summer Festival Is Just Days Away
This Saturday, August 29, The Knowledge Exchange throws open the doors to its Last PIES of Summer Festival, a free, indoor, family-friendly celebration running 10 am to 5 pm at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fredericksburg.
Dungeons & Dragons blocks for new and experienced players
Free face painting and a Paint a Pie in a Windowsill art activity from 2 to 3 pm
Sound meditation and a nutrition and movement seminar
Practical sessions on youth IDs, life insurance, advance directives, and youth budgeting
Vendors, community resources, games, pies, and raffles throughout the day
Register ahead of time for a free raffle ticket at check-in, and pick up even more by attending sessions and activities throughout the festival.
Free admission, indoors, activities all day. Learn more here.
Strong Is Beautiful: Inside the Stafford Gym Rewriting the Fitness Script
Courtney Dorsey didn't just open a gym, she built a community. As owner of Premier Athletics in Stafford, the certified personal trainer and lifelong athlete leads group strength training sessions where every member moves at their own pace, with weights and modifications built around them, not the other way around.
A mom of three and a military spouse who has called the Fredericksburg area home through much of her family's years of service, Courtney has shaped Premier Athletics into a space that pushes back against diet culture and swaps quick fixes for habits that actually stick. Her message to every member who walks through the door: strong is beautiful, and results are just the beginning. What people really find here is their people.
Your first class is free. Find your people at premierathleticsfitness.com, 2773 Richmond Hwy Ste 105, Stafford, VA 22554.
Courtney Dorsey, Owner and Head Trainer
A big thank you to our sponsors for keeping this newsletter free for the community🙏 Want your business in front of 45,000+ Fredericksburg-area neighbors? Become a sponsor. [email protected]
This Isn't Just a Gala. It's a Movement Starting Right Here.
Picture this: string lights, a live band easing between jazz and funk, a grazing table stretching the length of the room, and a night built around one radical idea, that no one should have to face the end of life alone, afraid, or without support. That's Embers & Evermore, the inaugural gala for Ars Moriendi Services, coming to 718 on Caroline Street on September 12.
Live music from Paper Hearts Band, an eclectic mix of jazz, funk, easy rock, and contemporary hits
A grazing table from Burg Charcutierie, loaded with meats, fruits, and cheeses
Wine from Potomac Point Winery and beer from local breweries
Interactive games to keep the conversation and connection flowing all night
A silent auction stacked with serious prizes, including a stay at the brand-new Kalahari Resort, an injectables package from one of D.C.'s top plastic surgeons, and a one-of-a-kind piece from a local artist
Every ticket does double duty. It funds Ars Moriendi's end-of-life education, grief support, and Death Doula training, and it moves the region closer to opening its first social model hospice house. But it also does something simpler: it puts a person in the room who believes this community deserves to talk about death differently, and to make sure no one navigates it alone.
Grab your ticket, and if you've already got yours, share this post, tag a friend, or send it straight to someone who hasn't heard of Ars Moriendi yet. Get tickets at givebutter.com/c/Embers-and-Evermore.
FXBG’s Got It
Highlighting a few things worth knowing around town:
Eden Try's Eve's Haunted Soirée Wants You to Trust the Serpent (Don't)
This October, Eden Try Winery hosts Eve's Haunted Soirée, an immersive evening of cocktails, tarot, and a three-chapter dinner with curated wine pairings and a mystery unfolding around you. Two nights only, limited seating, assigned tables. Tickets available now at edentrywinery.com/eveshauntedsoiree.
Watch Jaws on a Boat Every Friday and Saturday in September
Sunset Cruises of Stafford is hosting Jaws movie nights on the boat, 9 to 11 pm every Friday and Saturday in September at Aquia Harbour Marina. Room for up to 6, with popcorn, candy, and sodas provided. Learn more at sunsetcruisesofstafford.com.
What’s Happening In & Around the ‘Burg
Here are some of the top events happening soon. Always check with the venue for the latest details. Got an event coming up? Add it to our calendar.
Wednesday, August 26
Concerts by Canoe | 6:00PM
Location: Motts Run Reservoir, 6400 River Rd, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Pack a picnic dinner to enjoy while floating and listening to a band on the pier.
“Boutique” California Wine Dinner | 6:30PM
Location: Cork and Table, 909, Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Experience an elegant evening of California wine and cuisine!
Location: Curio Wine Bar & Tasting Room, 209 William Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: We're tasting six bottles that show the real range: crisp Vinho Verdes, structured reds from the inland regions, mineral-driven whites that taste expensive.
Thursday, August 27
Location: 1781 Brewing Company, 11109 Plank Rd, Spotsylvania, VA
Description: Storytelling series features historians and educators sharing Virginia history, local history, and the American experience.
Drunk History | 7:00PM
Location: Locavore Restaurant Rooftop (Folklore), 314, William Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: It’ll be a lively night of cocktails, outrageous true stories, and the side of local history your teachers definitely left out.
Banned Book Club: Animal Farm | 6:00PM
Location: Tales & Tails, 1010 Charles, Street Fredericksburg, VA
Description: We are reading Animal Farm by George Orwell.
August Full Moon Hike | 7:00PM
Location: 101 Widewater State Pk Rd, 101 Widewater State Park Road, Stafford, VA
Description: Bats, owls, and foxes are some of the wildlife we may come across as we trek through the trees, but an enjoyable hike is always guaranteed.
Friday, August 28
Planted Picture Workshop | 7:30PM
Location: Green Eyed Vines, 720 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Learn how to make your own planted picture come to life using tropical plants.
Location: Ironclad Inn, 1200 Princess Anne St, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Brings exceptional musicians to the Ironclad Inn Ballroom for an elevated listening experience.
Location: George Washington's Ferry Farm, 268 George Washington Way, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Discover how people from all walks of life passed the time with games during the 1700s.
