Laura Peters|The News Leader
STAUNTON - A new wine and craft beer bar will open in Staunton and the Out of the Darkness Walk will be held this weekend along with a rummage sale the following weekend to benefit suicide prevention efforts— here's the buzz.
Wine bar
A new wine, craft beer and cider bar is set to open this week in Staunton.
The Green Room, run by husband and wife duo Benjamin and Lauren Reed, is located at 130 W. Beverley St. The two came to Staunton in 2014 to join the American Shakespeare Center's cast.
While being part of the cast and crew for a number of years, the two had their daughter Clementine a year ago and wanted a venture to do as a family. Lauren Reed is the prop master for ASC and Benjamin Reed will be returning this winter as an actor with the company.
"Once we get this place up and running, I should be back on stage," he said.
The two, now family of three, decided that they would make Staunton their home, no matter what their careers would be.
"Acting can be pretty volatile," Benjamin Reed said.
Now seemed like a good time to opena place where where people could gather and have something to eat, drink and sit and relax in a comfortable place — hence the name for their establishment, The Green Room. A green room is a room inside the theater or studiowhere actors can just chill out.
They've been renting the space since the beginning of summer and had a soft opening during the city's Queen City Mischief and Magic festival over the weekend. The hope is to be open by beginning to mid of October.
The new spot will featuresix packs of large format beers, wine, cidersand a selection ofgourmet goods. Craft beer will also be on tap. The Reeds hope it to be like a cross between a wine store, beer store, bar and market.
They will be serving up what Benjamin Reed calls "bougie toasts." Think avocado toast with the option to add bacon or a bacon, lettuce, tomato toast with pancetta, cherry tomatoes and a chiffonade.
"My sort of food philosophy is get good ingredients and do as little to them as possible," he said.
Benjamin Reed has been waiting tables and working in restaurants since his undergrad. In 2008, he was working in a place in Nashville that kind of sparked his own cooking adventure.
"The kitchen doesn't scare me at all. Like, I feel like the worst thing that can happen is I'm going to mess it up so bad that I have to order a pizza," he said.
They took a small sabbatical from the stage in 2015 and moved to Pittsburgh where Benjamin Reed worked for JustinSeverino, who is known for the foodie destination Cure. As a food runner, Benjamin Reed was able to observe Severino and other chefs at the restaurant. He then transitioned to a server and was asked to be a manager, but moved back to the Shenandoah Valley.
Benjamin Reed's father is the primary investor in his son's new venture. Benjamin Reed wouldn't divulge how much it's taking to get the new wine and beer bar open. For now, he will be the person behind the bar serving up drinks and food. They will also be serving up non-alcoholic drinks like mocktails, what Benjamin Reed calls "sophisticated non-alcoholic beverages."
The spot can fit up to 47 people — either sitting at the bar or the tables, couches and chairs scattered about. The Reeds have set up the place where people come up to the bar and order, then once it's ready it would be taken out to the customer.
Hours of operation are still in the works.
For more information visit TheGreenRoomStaunton.com.
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Out of the Darkness
Hundreds of residents will walk Gypsy Hill Park Oct. 5to bring awareness and funding to suicide prevention.
The event is acommunity walk whichbenefits the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The organization is dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy, and to reaching out to people with mental disorders and those impacted by suicide.
This year, the Greater Shenandoah Valley Walk has a goal of surpassing $50,000.
AFSP concentrates efforts in four areas: research, advocacy, education and support for those who have lost loved ones to suicide.
Last year there were 523 registered, confirmed participants and the walk raised$37,000.
"We got a late start last year with a new chair coming on board so we do hope to surpass this year's goalof$50,000," Markita Madden-Puckett, the 2019OutofDarknessWalk chair.
Onlineregistration closes at noon Friday, before the walk. Anyone who would like to participate can register in person at the walk from the time check-in begins until the walk starts. Registration is free and open to the public. Walk donations are accepted until December 31.
For more information visitafsp.donordrive.comand search for the Greater Shenandoah Valley Walk. Or click here.
More information:
One family in Staunton wanted to extend the possibilities for donations after the walk. Ginger Anderson-Ham and her husband Mark Ham saw a woman posting that she would be giving awayitems from homes she owned. They thought, why not try selling the items and use the money to give back.
To raise further funds, arummage sale will be held Oct. 11 to 12 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. The sale will benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Angel Tree program with the Salvation Army. Funds raised will be split 50/50 between the two organizations.
The sale includes a selection more than 150 items like furniture, books, clothing, appliances and more.The sale will take place at 511 Bridge St. in Staunton.
"We have supported AFSP for fouryears to bring awareness to mental health," Ginger Anderson-Ham said. "And twoyears ago we have also started a motorcycle ride for Angel Tree. Local families need extra help during the holidays and children should experience the excitement of waking up on Christmas morning to see what Santa has gifted them."
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You can reach reporter Laura Petersatlpeters@newsleader.com.Follow her@peterslaura.
