Need a Halloween costume? Zelma's in historic downtown Staunton has it!

Zelma's in historic downtown Staunton.

The sign says it all: Zelma's ... Purveyors of Antiques, Vintage Clothing, Kitsch, and Fun!

Zelma's vintage store in historic downtown Staunton has everything you need to put together a costume for Halloween or a fall festival or costume party.

Owned by local resident Kimberly Berry who named the business for her grandmother, Zelma's is fun and quirky, full of lace and masks and fairy wings and dresses and vintage jewelry and everything needed for a fun evening in mascarade for children and adults.

From today's Staunton News Leader:

"We always do well in recession because vintage is a much better bargain than new clothes," [Kimberly Berry] said, adding much of what customers find in the store are higher-end items and were made in America. "We're doing very well this year even with the limited hours."

Berry, who buys the vintage items and decides how they're displayed, said at Halloween she likes to recommend couples costumes, "like Annie Oakley and a target," or ones that reflect a play on words.

"I look for things that people can use to make economical costumes by putting pieces together," Berry said. "We don't do the things like trademarked superheroes. We try to encourage creativity and more realistic-looking costumes."

Zelma's is open Monday through Saturday, and is located on New Street between Cranberry's and the New Street Parking Garage/tourism information office. Contact them by phone at (540) 885-3966 or by email.

Photo by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell

Berry's Natural Way ... now open in downtown Staunton

Berry's Natural Way in downtown Staunton
opening Friday, May 1, 2009.
Mention you read it on SWAC Girl and get 10% off your first purchase.



Rice chips and gluten-free flours ...

Vitamins, minerals, supplements ...

Natural beauty products ...

Organic teas and coffees ...

Brans, natural sugar substitute ...

Honey ... all natural beverages ...

Looking for all natural and organic products and foods? A new store is opening today in historic downtown Staunton.

Berry's Natural Way, formerly Pam's Natural Way on Richmond Road, was purchased in March by Kimberley and Barth Berry. It has relocated to 114 E. Beverley Street across from City Hall in the former location of the Berrys' other business, Zelma's vintage clothing store (now located around the corner next to Cranberry's on New Street).

Among the hundreds of stocked items are all natural and organic vitamins, minerals, and supplements; grocery items and bulk foods; fresh homemade bread every Tuesday; frozen organic pizza and meals; children's section; cold and flu homeopathic remedies; and they will soon stock local milk and eggs. They plan to further expand their inventory as they settle in to the new location.

The Berrys continue a tradition that has been in Staunton since the 1970s. Berry's Natural Way is open Monday through Saturday, 10 am-6 pm, and closed Sundays. They can be reached by phone at (540) 885-6431 or by email at BerrysNaturalWay@gmail.com.

Be sure to stop by and check out historic downtown Staunton's newest addition ... and check out Zelma's new location, too.

Photos by SWAC Daughter
April 30, 2009

Vandalism? Poo left at Staunton store with tribute to President Bush

[See original post: Staunton store window: Thank you, President Bush"]

Was it an accident? Or was it intended?

It had not occurred before ... piles of poo left on the sidewalk under Zelma's store window in downtown Staunton -- the window with a tribute thanking President Bush for his leadership. The store owner was out this morning cleaning it up while continuing to leave up the display in the window -- the owner who spent over a year in Iraq fighting to protect us from terrorism here in little ol' Staunton.

Zelma's vintage clothing store ... give 'em a thumbs up for being a conservative beacon in the midst of a mostly liberal town.

Staunton store window: "Thank You, President Bush"

Update: Vandalism? Poo left at Staunton store with tribute to President Bush

"Thank You, Mr. President"
is seen in Zelma's front window as historic downtown Staunton buildings
are reflected in the background.

This "Win the War" sign has been in the shop window for three years. The owner's husband served a year in Iraq.

Zelma's ... Purveyors of Antiques, Vintage Clothing, Kitsch, and Fun!

Zelma's is your headquarters for Mardi Gras supplies.


Vintage vinyl records....

Zelma's is one of those fun shops in historic downtown Staunton ... but inside is a conservative young lady whose Army National Guard husband spent a year in Iraq ... a young lady who has a tribute in her display window for President George W. Bush thanking him for his leadership the past eight years.

"Win the War," "Support President Bush and the Troops," and photos and newspaper articles adorn the window, recognizing the accomplishments of this President as he has kept America safe from terrorism after the 9/11 attacks.

When you're riding down Beverley Street, watch for the purple storefront and the window that says, "Thank You, Mr. President." And if you agree, honk the horn and let them know or, better still, pop in and tell her thanks.

Photos by SWAC Girl

Zelma's in downtown Staunton ... staunch Republicans

The front window of Zelma's Vintage Clothing on Beverley Street in historic downtown Staunton is full of Republican and patriotic signs. The owner's husband was in Iraq for 15 months and we thank him for his service. They are unabashedly Republican.

This photo was taken Election Day.

Photo by SWAC Girl

Wednesday night musings....

There was an Augusta County Board of Supervisors meeting tonight but I decided to skip it. I have been to so many meetings lately including last night and tomorrow night that this was one I didn't have to attend ... so I didn't....

It was cloudy and blustery today with high of 62 in the Valley. The 6:00 weather forecast called for a cold front to come through tonight with thunder, lightning, and up to an inch of rain. We need the rain but that will cause many of the leaves to come off the trees. A number of them sport bare branches already....

Tomorrow's forecast is cooler as the cold front brings back seasonal temperatures. The long-range forecast for next week showed possible snow flurries....

My "Texas" sister and her family are coming in this weekend to stay for Thanksgiving week. I'm excited to see them ... the three sisters and families and our parents will spend the holiday together. I love to be with them because, with the one sister living in Texas, we do not often have the opportunity to get together....

Green Valley Book Fair in Mt. Crawford will open the Friday after Thanksgiving for its last two-week run of 2007, and my sisters and I intend to be there. The Farmer's Market in Dayton will be busy as will be the Cheese Shop in Stuarts Draft as folks stock up on spices and baking supplies. Meanwhile, in downtown Staunton the trolleys will be running as Christmas shoppers pack the streets and restaurants and search for that perfect gift....

If you have not been there you should check out Zelma's in downtown Staunton on Beverley Street. It is a vintage clothing store that carries an eclectic mix of clothing items from yesteryear. The owner and her husband are staunch patriotic Americans; he served a year in Iraq, and the shop sports a "Win the War" sign in the window....

"The Nutcracker" practices are underway as local ballerinas prepare for the annual Christmas production held at Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton ... with a special appearance by a local performing as the Nutcracker. Performances this year will be the weekend of December 8-9....

Staunton's annual Christmas Parade will be the Monday after Thanksgiving, November 26, at 7:00 p.m. in downtown Staunton. Parade units will line up near the fire station on Augusta Street, wind their way east on Frederick Street, turn down Market Street, and then west on Beverley Street where it will pass in front of all the shops and storefronts decorated for Christmas. This small-town parade is a particular favorite every year with the streets packed with families. Children have Christmas lights reflecting in their eyes as they ooh and aah over floats and high school marching bands and Santa Claus. We always meet friends at the same spot each year and watch together, then head to Byers Street Bistro afterwards for hot chocolate and to warm up. The most enchanting Christmas parade was the year it snowed ... no accumulation but the gently-falling snowflakes gave a magical feel to the evening....

Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County ... SWAC ... it's a wonderful place to live.