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Hey neighbor,
Still call it Spotsylvania Mall? Remember Goolrick's before the renovation? Take our quiz, Ten Signs You've Lived in Fredericksburg Too Long, and see how many you get. Oktoberfest season is also here, nine celebrations across the area between now and mid-October, so we put together the full guide with dates, times, and menus. We're celebrating some milestones too: 20 years for Rejuvalase Medspa in Stafford and six years for Always Flavored, plus a bittersweet one, Phosphene Studio is closing this fall after seven years downtown.
Grab your coffee. Let's dive in.
Dori
Neighbor Poll
Ten Signs You've Lived in Fredericksburg Too Long
How many of these do you remember?
You still call it Spotsylvania Mall. It's been Spotsylvania Towne Centre for over a decade, and you still don't call it that.
You remember Goolrick's before the 4-year renovation, the old soda fountain and the original counter, before it closed and came back looking brand new.
You remember when 917 Caroline was Spanky's, not Capitol Ale House. It closed in 2005, the building was later renovated, and it's still on every local "bring it back" poll.
You still call it Mary Washington College. It became a university in 2004, and you still say "college" without thinking about it.
You have a 2010 snowstorm story, and you will tell it: where you were stuck, how many days school got canceled, which grocery store ran out of bread first.
You remember exactly where you were during the 2011 earthquake. 5.8 magnitude, epicenter 30 minutes away in Mineral, and still the most widely felt earthquake in U.S. history.
You remember when Central Park was a golf course. Now it's wall-to-wall shopping and restaurants, and you remember when it wasn't.
You've sat in 95 traffic before the express lanes existed, and you have opinions about whether they actually helped.
You've had to explain how to pronounce Sophia Street, Aquia, and Falmouth more times than you can count. "Sophia" isn't "So-FEE-ah," Aquia isn't "A-KWEE-ah," and Falmouth trips up every GPS voice and every new coworker.
You've been to a First Friday since before it got this crowded. You remember when parking downtown was actually easy.
Now that you've checked off your list, let's settle it once and for all.
Local Pulse: FXBG Edition
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Rejuvalase Medspa Celebrates 20 Years in Stafford by Giving Back
Congratulations to Rejuvalase Medspa on 20 years serving the Stafford community. Two decades is a long time for any business, and Rejuvalase is marking the milestone the way we love to see: by giving back. Proceeds from their anniversary gala, along with 100% of raffle proceeds, are going to three local causes, Rappahannock CASA, Fairy Godmother Project, and Gwyneth's Gift Foundation.
This isn't new for them. In 2025 alone, Rejuvalase donated more than $30,000 to charitable causes right here in our community. Along with corrective medical spa treatments and day spa services, Rejuvalase also trains the next generation of injectors through Nova Laser and Esthetics Training.
Twenty years of trust, and still giving back.
Learn more at rejuvalase.com, or call (540) 720-8881. 2761 Richmond Hwy Ste 201, Stafford.
Prost! Your Guide to Oktoberfest Around the 'Burg
Nine Oktoberfest celebrations are happening across the Fredericksburg area between now and mid-October, from Fredtoberfest and Brocktoberfest on September 12 to Barktoberfest on September 26 and Creekside Farm Brewery's two-day weekend October 3 and 4. Most are free and family-friendly.
Read the complete guide with dates, times, addresses, and menus at fxbgneighborsconnect.com.
A big thank you to our sponsors for keeping this newsletter free for the community🙏 Want your business in front of 48,000+ Fredericksburg-area neighbors? Become a sponsor. [email protected]
You're the One Everyone Counts On. Who's Looking Out for You?
Are you giving yourself the same care and attention you give everyone else? Burnout doesn't happen overnight, and neither does well-being. Discover Next Step, led by speaker and author Barbara Gustavson, provides practical tools to help individuals and organizations prevent and address burnout, build resilience and sustainable performance, support brain health, strengthen leaders and teams, and create healthier workplace cultures.
The goal is simple: help the people who spend their time caring for others sustain their own well-being, so they can keep making a difference. Because the work you do matters, and so do you.
Barbara Gustavson is a speaker, facilitator, and brain health and wellness educator, and author of REGROUP.
Learn more at DiscoverNextStep.com, or reach Barbara directly at [email protected].
FXBG’s Got It
Highlighting a few things worth knowing around town:
After Seven Years, Phosphene Studio Is Closing This Fall
Phosphene Studio, the downtown shop offering ethically made women's clothing and lifestyle goods from independent designers, announced it will close this fall. Owner Rachel shared the news on the business's Facebook page, saying seven years in business shaped who she is and that she's ready to make room for what's next, with more details on the wind-down coming in the weeks ahead.
Six Years of Always Flavored: From Backyard Peppers to Sysco
Always Flavored is celebrating six years in business with a party September 18-20 at its Bistro & Market, 619 Caroline Street, kicking off with a ribbon cutting Friday, September 18. What started as backyard peppers in 2020 is now award-winning sauces and rubs sold in 300+ stores and Sysco kitchens. Learn more: alwaysflavored.com
Neighbors of Courthouse Magazine
The September edition of Neighbors of Courthouse Magazine is here, packed with the neighbors, stories, and local businesses that make our community shine.
Click below to read the full issue!
A heartfelt thank you to our writers, photographers, advertisers, sponsors, and local businesses who make Spotsylvania Living possible each month. Your support allows us to continue sharing the stories, people, and organizations that make our community stronger. 💙
Drink Your Skincare This Fall
Fall skin needs more than a serum. Pique's Radiant Skin Duo pairs B·T Fountain electrolyte with antioxidant-rich Sun Goddess Matcha to hydrate from within. The glow shows up fast. Sells out every year — get 20% off for life. Shop now.
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.
Saturday, September 12
Location: City Vino, 100, Hanover Street, Fredericksburg, VA
FXBG Pet Palooza | 9:00AM (through Sept 13)
Location: Fredericksburg Convention Center, Carl D Silver Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA
Location: Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank, 3631 Lee Hill Drive, Fredericksburg, VA
Jake Lowery Stop Suicide Event | 3:00PM
Location: Adventure Brewing Company, 33 Perchwood Dr, Fredericksburg, VA
Thrift World | 10:00AM
Location: Fredericksburg Convention Center, 2371 Carl D Silver Pkwy, Fredericksburg, VA
Sunday, September 13
Hispanic Heritage Festival | 11:00AM
Location: Fredericksburg Agricultural Fair, Inc., 2400 Airport Ave, Fredericksburg, VA
Peaky Blinders Season 1 & 2 Trivia | 3:00PM
Location: Laudenbach Brewing, 45 Centreport Pkwy, Fredericksburg, VA
