2019 Washington County Business Challenge

ABINGDON, Va. — Cassie Rowe’s vision to create a business that provides a service for busy customers has won her a top spot in the 2019 Washington County Business Challenge.

Rowe, the owner of Build-a-Basket gift shop in Abingdon, attended the Chamber of Commerce Business Briefing Breakfast on March 21 without a clue that she had been chosen, out of six businesses, to receive first place in the Existing Business Expansion Award.

ABINGDON, Va. — The owners of a local winery are using their winnings from a recent contest to remodel their winery kitchen, a project they hope will add jobs and foster a sense of community.

Loren and Elizabeth Gardner, a husband-and-wife team who purchased Abingdon Vineyards last August, placed second in the 2019 Washington County Business Challenge’s Existing Business Expansion Awards. Their prize was $1,500.

ABINGDON, Va. — A longtime Abingdon photographer is finding new ways to capture his community in a technology-driven world.

R. Dean Barr, proprietor of The Gallery @Barr Photographics, won third place as an existing business in the 2019 Washington County Business Challenge but took home far more than a monetary award of $500.

ABINGDON, Va. — With as many as 100 five-star, handwritten reviews and nearly 3,000 followers on Facebook, Abingdon’s newest indoor play and party venue is becoming more than child’s play.

Stephanie Howard said her business, Play Date, located in the Highlands Shopping Center, is creating a positive impact in the community for both kids and adults.