About | Resources | Live | Explore | Distrx | Calendar | Blog | Additional Business Districts

There is a lot happening in the River District! Be sure to scroll all the way down to get all the details.

River District News

The River District Gets a Visit from Senator Mark Warner

Senator Mark Warner visited the River District today to discuss the revitalization of downtown Danville and understand more about Danville's very successful entrepreneur/business support initiatives. He stopped by to visit Moss Mountain Outfitters and Ma's Cakes.


Learn more about his visit: 


WDBJ -Senator Mark Warner visits Danville for revitalization tour


Danville Register and Bee - Swinging through Danville, Warner tours downtown, praises growth


WSET - Sen. Mark Warner tours downtown Danville renovation projects

Partnership for Regional Prosperity

We enjoyed hearing Beth Doughty talk about the Partnership for Regional Prosperity at the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce Business at Breakfast event.


From the Partnership for Regional Prosperity website: https://regionalprosperity.org/


Danville City Council and the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors formed the Partnership for Regional Prosperity in 2020 by appointing a steering committee to examine the change coming and knowing that planning for that change will produce the best outcomes.


  • The Partnership will contribute by:
  • Researching issues
  • Sharing information
  • Convening community conversations
  • Promoting collaboration
  • Encouraging a future-forward mindset
  • Identifying and aligning resources

Start-Up Slam

The River District Association (RDA) is excited to be hosting another session of “Start-Up Slam.” Modeled after a poetry slam, it is a fun community-oriented event where people share a meal, share creative business ideas, make new friends, and network with both creative people and people who support creative people!


The second Start-Up Slam will be on September 27th, 6 pm to 8 pm at The River District Event Center (136 S. Ridge Street).


To reserve a seat, call the RDA office at 434-791-0210 or email alyssa@riverdistrictassociation.com and let us know you are coming. We look forward to hearing your great ideas!


Read all the details at: https://www.riverdistrictassociation.com/do-business/rda-programs/start-up-slam

Mornings on Main

Mornings on Main

Monday, September 26th @ 10 am

In-person at 208 N. Union Street and virtual - RSVP Please!

Topic: Holiday Promotions and Events in the River District 


Special Guest: Kirsten Aherron, RDA Communications and Events Manager

RSVP to the Meeting

Missed the July Mornings with Maggie Richardson from The Health Collaborative? Watch it on our YouTube Channel!

Upcoming Community Events

Celebrating the written, visual and performing arts

Library Events

  • Sept. 22:Book Talk with Bill Guerrant, author of "Jim Wrenn." 
  • This free event is located in the Library Auditorium from 5:30-6:30 PM 
  • Registration is required. Call 434-799-5195 or click here.
  • Sept. 23: Reflections of Home Tiny Art Show
  • This free program has separate teen and adult sessions from 5-6 PM with no fee. 
  • Registration is required. Call 434-799-5195 or click here.
  • Sept. 24: Writer's Workshop
  • This free program is located in the Library Maker Space from 11 AM-1 PM.
  • Registration is required. Call 434-799-5195 or click here.
  • KEYNOTE: Sept. 24: Unhappy Hour - Performance of the Trial of "The Tell-Tale Heart"
  • Event will be located at Union Street Park on September 24th from 6PM until 8PM and is for ages 18 and older. Entry fee for the event is $25.00. Call 434-799-5195 or click here.


Partner Events

Sept. 23: Ballad Brewing Re-Release their HOME beer.

Sept. 24 Monoprinted Plates Class at Impotters Clayworx

Sept. 24: Barn Quilt Painting Class at Main Street Art Collective

September 19-24: Me's Burgers and Brews will have a special "Poe Burger"

Unhappy Hour: Witness the Murder Trial of "The Tell-Tale Heart"
Experience Edgar Allan Poe's terrifying story brought to life...and death!

September 24th, 6pm - 8-m
$25 tickets, S. Union Street Pocket Park

Includes heavy hors d'oeuvres and spirits. Additional drinks available for purchase.

Visit www.readdanvilleva.org for tickets and details.
The River District Spotlight

Check out our new monthly video series highlighting River District Businesses, Food, Music, Arts and Entertainment and more!

Did you watch? Tell us what you think!
River District Announcements and Promotions
Job Openings in The River District
PATHS is hiring for many positions. Locations include the School-Based Health Center at George Washington High School and PATHS offices in Chatham, Boydton, Danville, and South Boston. 

Spectrum Medical is hiring for several positions.  Learn more:  

https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Spectrum-Medical/jobs

Me's Burgers and Brews is taking applications: https://www.mesburgers.com/join-the-best-team-in-town

Visit the River District Event Calendar to find community events, art classes, live music shows, and more...

Know of something not listed? submit an event.

(RDA may still make decisions about which events can be included in the calendar - thank you for understanding!)
View the Calendar
Announcements
News from Cotton at Riverside Mill
Cotton wants everyone to know that over Labor Day weekend (September 3rd and 4th) the building's parking lot will be resurfaced. The restaurant will still be open, and parking is available across the street at the Acree Parking Garage.

Also, welcome to Kari Uebelman, Cotton's new General Manager!

Lizzy Lou Boutique Celebrates 7th Anniversary in the River District!



On September 10th, Lizzy Lou Boutique has a 7th Anniversary Sale all day!

Funky's September Events!


World Beard Day Contest. September 3rd | 7-8pm. Judging length, width, and style. 

1st place prize: $200 worth in men grooming products 

2nd place prize: $100 worth in men grooming products. 


Monday September 5th. Funky’s Game Night | 5pm-11pm. All ages are welcome! Ages 16 and under require adult supervision and ages under 18 require adult supervision after the hours of 9pm! Free to attend! 


Monday September 19th. Funky’s Game Night | 5pm-11pm. All ages are welcome! Ages 16 and under require adult supervision and ages under 18 require adult supervision after the hours of 9pm! Free to attend! 


Tuesday September 27th. Funky’s Pop-Culture Trivia Night! Starts at 9pm. Teams of up to 4 people. Free to attend! 

Dominion Crossfit is offering a new program! "I Train, We Train"


This program is geared towards helping business owners and employees find time to focus on their health and fitness at an affordable rate. 


Contact Dominion CrossFit to set up a program that fits your business and your employees.  


308 Court Street

Danville VA, 24541


Contact for rates: 

dominoncrossfit@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/dominioncrossfit

919-588-0488

In celebration of Black Business Month (August), The Coalition to Back Black Businesses and American Express have opened up a grant program for Black owned businesses (up to $5,000), who employ between 3-20 people. 


The deadline is September 6th, and here is the website with information, and the press release. Check it out, and share!


United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County Taps telly Tucker as 2022 Campaign Chair


The United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County has tapped Telly Tucker, President, of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) as its 2022 Campaign Chair. Tucker takes over for Austin Scher, Otterbots General Manager, who helped United Way navigate fundraising last year.

Read the Press Release

Monster Market Mash - October 31, 5pm - 8pm, 629 Craghead Street

Register to decorate a trunk!
What is the River District Association?
Do you want to be a part of a thriving River District? RDA takes Board of Directors applications all year long. Fill out an interest form to be considered for the next board opening!

Mission:

RDA's mission is to ensure the long term viability of Danville's River District as a center of business and civic life, and a source of community pride.


Vision:

Danville's River District will be a vibrant place to live, work, and visit for the diverse population of Danville and the greater Dan River region.


Board of Directors:


Rachel Covington

Hawthorne and Jade Design Co. LLC

President


Stuart Smith

FCS, Inc

Vice President


Kunal Patel

First National Bank

Treasurer


William Crumpton

Compassion Healthcare

Secretary


Kelvin Perry

CoD Economic Development

Immediate Past President


Steven Osborne

International Mission Board


Christy Harper

Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce


Drew Herring

West Main Baptist Church


Emma Sellers

Averett University


Shani Gaylord - Hunter

PATHS, Inc.


Dr. Andrew Hessler

Danville Dental Associates


Irving M. Perez

American National Bank and Trust Company


Sandra Chinn-Gilstrap

Clement-Wheatley


Rachel Timm

Smokestack Theatre Company

Who We Are
The River District Association (RDA) is comprised of a volunteer Board of Directors which includes representatives from River District businesses and property owners, the City of Danville, and other community stakeholders.

What We Do
RDA follows the Main Street model to coordinate the public-private partnerships required to revive the River District. We work with the City of Danville, area businesses, and institutions to develop programs and events to get the community working together to market the area's unique assets, to get the district in top physical shape, and to attract and retain businesses.

Why We Do It
As our City Council and City Manager have publicly stated, the economic health of the city is impacted by the River District. A downtown with empty buildings and blight conveys a negative image. A prosperous downtown tells the world that the business sector can work well with the City to bring about positive change. With a number of development projects taking place, the River District has reclaimed its role as a vital, important and pleasant place to work, shop, and have fun.

What You Can Do
We need YOU! Would like to play an active role in the revival of the River District? Do you have any special ideas or talents, or simply want to volunteer with a project, please contact us by phone at 434-791-0210 or by email. One of our dedicated volunteer board members will respond.

River District Association Staff

Diana Schwartz: Executive Director
Kirsten Aherron: Communication and Events Manager
Will Mackaman: Programs and Services Manager
Alyssa Turner: Bookkeeper and Office Manager
River District Association | www.riverdistrictassociation.com
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram  Linkedin  Youtube