Doug Walker of Walker Bakeshop prepares pastries in his kitchen at The Marketplace Sperryville. (Photo/Sophie McLeod)
From apple packing co-op to trendy shops
Coming up on the one year anniversary of its grand opening last April, The Marketplace Sperryville seems to be thriving. All of the 17 original spaces that opened almost a year ago are still in operation, except for two that closed due to non-business related issues.
New businesses in Rappahannock County often struggle to keep their doors open, especially in winter months, and the fact that all of the original businesses are still in operation could be seen as an accomplishment.
“In Rappahannock County, most businesses can’t survive on tourism alone; if a business wants to thrive during the slow winter months, it must find a way to serve the local community,” said former building owner Diane MacPherson.
Before The Marketplace Sperryville, at 3 River Lane, became a growing community hub of retail shops, the building had an eclectic history: an apple packing co-op in the 1930s, the Sperryville Antiques Center and Rappahannock Central which housed the River District Arts artists’ collective and Cafe Indigo restaurant.
MacPherson and her husband John, who have owned and operated small businesses in Rappahannock County since 2004, were inspired by the River District Arts when they came to the idea for The Marketplace. They loved the space and felt that it would better serve the community if it had a variety of businesses in it, including food and drink options.
The building was purchased in the fall of 2023 by the MacPhersons and Greg and Liz Yates from former owners Jerome and Lucille Niessen.
“[I thought that] Rappahannock County had so many creative people and ambitious entrepreneurs, but not enough commercial space for small businesses to get started,” said Diane MacPherson.
Several months into the purchase, the MacPhersons stepped back, and the Yates have continued to operate the space as what it is today, The Marketplace Sperryville.
Greg Yates said that although there is a high demand for retail in Rappahannock County, retail spaces are limited and the rent is usually very high. This is why Yates keeps the rent low ($375/month for smaller spaces and $550/month for larger spaces) as he prefers to have long term tenants rather than a frequent turnover of tenants.
Renovating second floor
With much success on the first floor, the Yates have begun renovating upstairs where they plan to have six new spaces that will include a fitness studio for workout classes, office spaces for the Shenandoah National Park Trust (a nonprofit based in Charlottesville in need of a Rappahannock office), a medical professional and realtors of Washington Fine Properties. An open space is still available to rent.
The first floor will remain dedicated to retail, and all of the shop owners have renewed their leases.
“We would like to continue to develop the upstairs and maybe a little more in the basement, but we want to keep it as a vibrant retail area for the community,” Yates said.
Kerry Sutten, owner of Firth River Coffee at the marketplace and Before & After Cafe on Main Street, sees the marketplace as a critical local hub.
“I want my locals to know they’re walking into a place where they can run into friends and see people,” Sutten said. “I want tourists to be jealous they don’t live here.”
Dori Walker of Walker Bakeshop works in her kitchen in The Marketplace Sperryville. (Photo/Sophie McLeod)
Walker Bakeshop
Among the businesses is Walker Bakeshop, owned by Doug and Dori Walker. The Walkers reflected on their upcoming one-year anniversary, noting that their success came in part from the various skills the two gathered during their full-time careers as an engineer and graphic artist/videographer respectively in Washington, D.C.
Before opening up shop, the Walkers sold their goods at a local farmers’ market which helped them learn about the business and gradually create a brand.
Though the Walkers were prepared, opening up a brick and mortar bakery was still a risk — though it was one they were willing to take for the reward. When asked what makes a good entrepreneur, Doug Walker responded, “a willingness to fail.”
Johnny Beard, Ceal Brooks and Nick Puletti of New Iberia Kitchen prepare orders for their customers at The Marketplace Sperryville. (Photo/Sophie McLeod)
New Iberia Kitchen
Nick Puletti and Allie Doré Puletti of New Iberia Kitchen followed a similar path to that of the Walkers as they built their brand gradually through their food truck business.
A large part of the Pulettis’ approach to their business has been treating each customer like a friend. Nick Puletti pointed to one customer sitting at the bar and said, “I can tell you what she’s going to order before she walks in, depending on what day of the week it is. Wednesdays are dark meat chicken with greens and a biscuit, but brunch is different. She’s going to get a biscuit, scrambled eggs, and bacon and then she’s going to pick out the inside of the biscuit.”
This type of attention to detail and community involvement are major selling points for not only New Iberia, but for every shop in the marketplace. Owner Keenan Sherwood’s chocolate shop, Wholehearted Chocolate, is close to celebrating one year in business at the marketplace, providing the community with unique blends of cocoa.
“There is a mutual synergy [in The Marketplace Sperryville]; if you’re coming here for the restaurant or for the bakery, then you end up exploring and finding all of these different local businesses at once,” said Sherwood.
