Laura Peters
Staunton News Leader
Published 8:23 AM EDT Sep 3, 2019
STAUNTON – The winners of the Virginia Food Truck Battle have been announced, a game store is closing in Waynesboro and get ready for more Staunton events thanks to this grant program — here’s the buzz.
Food truck battle
The fifth annual Virginia Food Truck Battle was held over Labor Day Weekend on Sunday at Augusta Expo in Fishersville.
Last year, the battle moved over to Expo. Previously, the event was held at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton. Due to the event growing each year, more space was needed.
A total of 18 food trucks participated in the battle with three zone winners and a grand champion chosen for the event. The grand champion was selected by Justin Hershey of Chicano Boy Taco in Staunton, Carter Raab, who previously owned Farm Fresh Fixins and founder of No Bos Kitchen, Matthew Hart, the executive chef of The Local Charlottesville, Melissa Hart, executive chef of The Junction Charlottesville and Christi Miller, managing director of the Harrisonburg Northwestern Mutual.
The following is the list of winners from the event:
- Grand Champion — Urgi’s Cheesteaks of Harrisonburg
- Green Zone winner — Gonzo’s Pollo from Staunton
- Green Zone runner-up — Farmacy from Keswick
- Red Zone winner — Urgi’s Cheesesteaks from Harrisonburg
- Red Zone runner-up — Hops Kitchen from Waynesboro
- Blue Zone winner — 106 Street Food from Charlottesville
- Blue Zone runner-up — Rock’s Money Pit BBQ from Greenville
- Beer Champions — Skipping Rock Beer Co.’s Gose
The Virginia Food Truck Battle is a fundraiser that benefits The MaDee Project, a local nonprofit foundation that provides financial support for families dealing with pediatric cancer and for national research to combat pediatric cancer, a release said.
This year’s event had more than 3,000 people in attendance and as of Monday night it had grossed more than $78,000. The net value of funds raised to benefit The MaDee Project is still being tallied, due to other expenses that have to be factored in.
The food truck battle is the largest fundraiser The MaDee Project holds each year. All the proceeds from the event goes to help families battling pediatric cancer in four counties with financial needs and emotional support that they receive monthly from the nonprofit.
Last year’s Virginia Food Truck Battle raised $40,000 through the event proceeds and sponsorships from local businesses, a release said.
With the money raised in 2018, the MaDee Project was able to provide monthly support to 25 area families impacted by pediatric cancer, the release said.
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Game store
G2K Games in Waynesboro announced it would be closing its store before mid-October. The announcement came on the business’s Facebook page.
The store, located at 1321 W Broad St. in Waynesboro, had moved to Broad Street from the Waynesboro Town Center of U.S. 340 some years ago.
“We’re very sad to announce that we will be closing our store in Waynesboro, Virginia,” the post said. “The past eight years have been fantastic. We love Waynesboro, our customers and our staff. Unfortunately, due to many factors beyond our control we simply can’t continue to operate this location. We don’t have a specific closing date set, but it will be before October 19. Thank you again for the past eight years!”
According to its website, G2K is independently owned and operated. The store started as a family business in February 2001 with the first location in Norton, Virginia, the site said.
The business sells, buys and trades video games, accessories, hardware, music, movies and more. The Waynesboro location was one store that offered in-store table top game playing events.
G2K has nine locations across Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina, the site said.
StauntoNites
Staunton businesses and nonprofits can now apply for grants for more nightlife in the city. The grant program, called StauntoNites, was created by the Staunton Downtown Development Association in 2017 to provide a regular monthly event to help inspire a vibrant nightlife downtown.
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The StauntoNites program was inspired by the 2016 Community Perception Survey, where the community asked for a monthly, evening events, a release said. The goal is to feature different areas of the Downtown Service District and Downtown’s unique businesses.
Applications are open now for the grants.
There are some changes to the grant, according to the SDDA.
- SDDA member businesses and non-profits may apply.
- One $700 grant will be awarded per quarter (4 grants for the year): Organizers select any Saturday evening (4 to 8pm or later).
- Organizers will receive $100 per partner (up to five) and partners must include a local non-profit. A $200 stipend will be offered for live entertainment. (for a total of $700 max.)
- Organizers must reach out to at least 10 business neighbors to encourage them to be open at night and the event should span an area of the district that is relevant to both the activity and the business.
- Grants include a $2,900 marketing package that includes radio with MIX 93.1 and WMRA, News Leader GO! Ad, $100 for Facebook page boost and a live interview with Bob Grebe on WHSV–TV 3.
For more information and application on StauntonDowntown.org or 540-332-3867. To apply go to Stauntondowntown.org/stauntonites/.
Last year the following were awarded grants:
The following grants were awarded:
- Staunton Artists and Artisans Tour — Co-Art Gallery
- A Victorian Evening in the Queen City — Medieval Fantasies Company
- Hot Summer Fun Night — Sunspots Studios and Glassblowing
- BeYOUtiful Night — Ali & Co. Apothecary and Boutique
- Staunton’s Amazing Adventure — Cranberry’ Grocery and Eatery
- Pumptoberfest — WQSV 106.3 Community Radio
- Treasure Hunt Party — TRAIPSE and WQSV 106.3 Community Radio
- Spring Celebration Concert — Sunspots Studio and Glassblowing
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You can reach reporter Laura Peters at lpeters@newsleader.com. Follow her @peterslaura.
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