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Hey neighbor! 👋
Grab your coffee, because this might be the most exciting weekend Fredericksburg has seen all summer. A beloved landmark is reopening its doors after four years, a #1 bestselling author is coming to town (with adoptable puppies, no less), and downtown is rolling out the red carpet for our teachers. And that is just the start.
Whether you are a book lover, a foodie, a shop-local champion, or someone who just wants a good excuse to be downtown, there is something here with your name on it.
Let's dive in.
Dori
Local Pulse: FXBG Edition
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Countdown to Saturday: A Bestselling Thriller, Puppies With Character Names, and a $10K Match at Tales & Tails
Mark your calendars, Fredericksburg, because this Saturday is shaping up to be the most heartwarming (and page-turning) day of the summer.
On August 8th, Tales & Tails Book Cafe on Charles Street welcomes #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner to sign her newest thriller, You'll Be Sorry, a story with two dogs right at its heart. A suspense novel with dogs, signed inside a cafe built around books and rescue pups? You could not script a better match. Here is what to look forward to:
Meet Lisa Gardner: The signing starts at 2 PM. Timed-entry tickets guarantee your signed copy and cost only the price of the book. Reserve yours at talesandtailsbookcafe.com
Puppies with a story: Meet adoptable pups from the Old Dominion Humane Society, each named after one of Lisa's characters, on site from 2 to 4 PM
A generous match: Lisa is matching the day's sales up to $10,000 as a donation to the Old Dominion Humane Society. The cafe is open 8 AM to 7 PM, and ALL sales, including advance tickets, count toward the match
Whether you come for the thriller, the puppies, or a really good cup of coffee, every purchase helps a local dog find its forever home.
👉 Reserve your ticket now at talesandtailsbookcafe.com and join the fun Saturday, August 8th at 1010 Charles Street in downtown Fredericksburg. Come for the book, stay for the puppies! 🐾
Photo credit: Goolrick’s
Some Things Are Worth the Wait: Goolrick's Is Finally Back
Pull up a stool, Fredericksburg. The soda fountain that has poured cherry Cokes and milkshakes for generations is ready to serve again. After four years of loving restoration, Goolrick's, America's longest-running soda fountain, throws open its doors on Friday, August 7th, and the whole town is invited.
First opened in 1869 inside a building dating back to 1808, Goolrick's holds lifelong memories for generations of neighbors. The restoration honored that history, bringing back the original tin ceiling, hand-laid tile floors, and beloved original details. Here is how the day unfolds:
The ribbon-cutting: Gather early for the official welcome-back moment at 11 a.m.
Doors open at 11 a.m.: Step inside the beautifully restored landmark at 901 Caroline Street
First 50 in line win: Be one of the first fifty through the door and snag free Goolrick's merch
Inside, you will find all the classics back on the menu, from chicken salad and grilled cheese to hand-mixed sodas and those famous metal-tin milkshakes. And later this year, watch for Section 7, a new lower-level dining space that has not served the public in over a century.
Whether Goolrick's holds a lifetime of memories for you or you are about to make your first, this is the reunion Fredericksburg has waited four years for.
See you at the counter on Friday, August 7th, 901 Caroline Street. Doors open at 11 a.m., so come early and be part of history. Learn more at goolricksfxbg.com
Downtown Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Teachers This First Friday
School is back in session, and Downtown Fredericksburg is celebrating the educators who make our community extraordinary. On Friday, August 7th from 5 to 9 PM, First Friday Sip 'N Stroll: Back to School Teacher Edition fills downtown with shopping, dining, live entertainment, and teacher-inspired cocktails and specialty drinks. Here is what to know:
Teachers, this one's for you: Show a valid school ID at participating businesses for exclusive offers all evening and all weekend long
Start with a passport: Pick one up at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center (601 Caroline Street) for your chance to win prizes as you explore
Bring your people: Coworkers, friends, and family are all welcome to join the fun
Grab your teacher friends and head downtown Friday, August 7th from 5 to 9 PM. Learn more at https://fxbg.com/back-to-school-weekend/ 🍎
A big thank you to our sponsors for keeping this newsletter free for the community🙏 Want your business in front of 44,000+ Fredericksburg-area neighbors? Become a sponsor. [email protected]
Your Thursday Nights Just Got a Whole Lot More Fun
Something special happens in Downtown Fredericksburg every Thursday evening. The shops glow a little longer, the patios fill up, live music drifts down Caroline Street, and the whole downtown turns into one big celebration. It is called Downtown Summer Nights, and it runs every Thursday through August 27th from 5 to 8 PM. Here is what awaits you:
Shop Local: Boutiques, art galleries, bookstores, and your favorite shops stay open late
Dine Downtown: Extended happy hours, outdoor dining, and Thursday-only specials
Live Music: Local musicians set the soundtrack all through downtown
Explore & Play: Yard games, family activities, and fresh surprises every single week
Whether you are planning date night, meeting up with friends, or just looking for a fun way to support local, this is the easiest yes on your calendar.
👉 Grab a friend, bring the pup, and head downtown this Thursday. See the full lineup and details here.
🌇 Downtown Fredericksburg · Every Thursday through August 27th · 5 to 8 PM
Business Briefs
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Meet Yvonne: The Photographer Who Turns Moments Into Heirlooms
Some photographers take pictures. Yvonne makes memories timeless. Based in Spotsylvania and serving Fredericksburg and the surrounding region, including Stafford, Culpeper, Louisa, and beyond, she specializes in portrait, family, and event photography that tells your story in a way worth passing down for generations.
But there is so much more to Yvonne than her camera. A wife of more than 42 years, a mother, and a grandmother of four, she is also a world traveler who has visited more than 40 countries and lived in both Egypt and Jordan. That perspective shows in how she connects with clients and captures what matters most. She also gives back generously, volunteering her photography for her church, local clubs, triathlons, and veterans events.
If you are looking for a photographer who brings warmth, experience, and genuine heart to every session, Yvonne is your person.
Ready to make your memories timeless? Visit photographybyyvonne.com/
From Aberdeen to Fredericksburg: A Collaboration Worth Celebrating
This is exactly the kind of story we love to tell. Two local women, two different businesses, and one beautiful thread of Scottish heritage tying them together.
Sarah Dye of Dogwood & Iron Research, a genealogist, historian, and contributor to Front Porch Fredericksburg, recently wrote a feature on Louise Jolley, the Scottish-born owner of FlyKup Scottish Fancy Pieces in downtown Fredericksburg. The piece explores the fascinating connection between Louise, Revolutionary War figure Hugh Mercer, and their shared Scottish roots.
Here is what makes it special: Louise now sends visitors curious about their heritage straight to Sarah's genealogy services. Two businesses lifting each other up, exactly the way Power Players are meant to.
Read Sarah's full Front Porch feature in the August edition here: issuu.com/frontporchfredericksburg/docs/frontporchfredericksburgaugust2026
Stafford Living Magazine
The August edition of Stafford Living Magazine is here, packed with the neighbors, stories, and local businesses that make our community shine. Click below to read the full issue!
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.
Friday, August 7
Location: Credit Union Stadium, 42 Jackie Robinson way
Fredericksburg, VADescription: Come support these budding entrepreneurs as they build confidence and sharpen their customer service skills.
Comedy in The Back Room | 7:00PM
Location: 911 Charles Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: A fresh lineup of comics hits Comedy in "The Back Room".
FXBG First Friday | 5:00PM
Location: Downtown Fredericksburg, 601 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Enjoy extended shopping hours, gallery openings, live music, and unique pop-up experiences.
Saturday, August 8
Book Signing with Lisa Gardner | 2:00PM
Location: Tales & Tails, 1010 Charles Street Fredericksburg VA
Description: Meet #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Lisa Gardner as we celebrate the release of her new standalone thriller, You'll Be Sorry.
ImmersiBeats | 5:00PM
Location: Eagles Lodge. 21 Cool Springs Road, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Join the night of fun with incredible talent, fun and you can even dance to your favorite DJ!
Swing Dance | 7:30PM
Location: Picker’s Supply, 902 Caroline St., Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Enjoy a beginner-friendly lesson, social dancing, and a welcoming atmosphere.
FXBG Boat Blowout Sale | 9:00AM (through August 9)
Location: Fredericksburg Convention Center, 2371 Carl D Silver Pkwy, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: A one-stop shop for unbeatable deals on all types of watercraft-from wake boats and speed boats to bass boats, jet skis, and more.
Watermelon Festival | 12:00PM
Location: Strangeways Brewing, 350 Lansdowne Road, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Come make memories, enjoy a cold beer, and celebrate the most refreshing fruit of the season.
Sunday, August 9
4th Annual Back to School Bash | 11:00AM
Location: Danger’s Salon and Barbershop, 317 Dixon Street Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Enjoy live music, food, and a day dedicated to helping local students head back to school with confidence.
Royal Rally Legends Car Show & Pageant | 12:00PM
Location: Fredericksburg, Fairgrounds 2400 Airport Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA
Sunday Hikes | 7:45AM
Location: Old Dominion Humane Society, 3602 Lafayette Boulevard, Fredericksburg, VA
