April 2015 | Gloucester Preservation Trust | (804) 832-5203

[Volume 1, Issue 1]

A Single Mom is given a Second Chance

GLOUCESTER, VA27 March, 2015. On Mar. 20, 2015 Elizabeth Powell
received a phone call that would turn her life around. She had won

Contents

she had won a second chance to make her dreams come true. She would
finally be able to open Elizabeths Corner.

A Single Mom is given

a Second Chance

Ever since Powell graduated from Christopher Newport University with a

Gloucester Turns
Entrepreneurs Dreams
into Realities

5-6

GPTs 2014 Initiatives

GPTs Projects for 2015

Meet the Executive Board

About GPT

Bachelor of Science in business management, she has dreamed of

starting her own small business.
For five years, shes worked hard to design Elizabeths Corner, a unique
boutique and caf shop. Powell was about to sign a loan agreement that
would allow her to begin modeling when she received a visit from the
United States Army that turned her world upside down. Powells
husband had been killed in combat, leaving her to raise their three
children alone. Due to no longer being able to cosign for the startup
capital, Powell had to put her dream on hold and work two minimum
wage jobs in order to support her family.
(more)

1-4

There have been times I have been unable to buy my children

new shoes or even put a nice meal on the table.
Meet Elizabeth Powell

Elizabeth, a native to Virginia, grew

up in Virginia Beach alongside the
Atlantic Ocean. She graduated from
Christopher Newport University in
2005 with a Bachelor of Science in
business management.
Elizabeth spends most of her free
time with her three beautiful
children, Elijah, Sam, and Ashley.
However, on the weekends she can
often be found laying out on the
beach reading a good book, taking
her Siberian mix for an afternoon
walk, or going down town to local
art galleries with a group of friends!
Learn more about Elizabeth at our
website:
www.launchgloucester.com.

As a single mother, Powell has

marketing support, business

struggled financially. There have been

consultation, video promotion, and

times that I have fallen behind in

membership to the Main Street

paying the bills and have had taxpayers

Association; a program valued to be

show up at my front door. I have been

nearly $200,000.

unable to buy my children new shoes

Once Powell heard about the

when their old ones had torn, or even

competition she decided to take a

put a nice meal on the table, said

chance and immediately submitted

Powell.

an application.

This has been the hardest year of my

entire life. Not only did I lose my

I heard about the competition

driving home from work one day on

husband, but I had to give up on

the radio, states Powell. The ad

something I have worked diligently on

ironically aired right after the

for a long time; a lifelong dream.

station had played my wedding

song, I Will be Right Here Waiting

That was until Powell heard about

Launch Gloucester, a competition
promoted by Gloucester Countys Main
Street Preservation Fund (GPF) that
enables entrepreneurs to compete for
a $100,000 startup grant, as well as
(more)

for you, so I was a complete mess

and in tears. However, I knew that it
had to be a sign that my husband
was still looking out for us from
above.

Our Mission Statement

To enhance the economic
activity in the Gloucester
Courthouse Village. We
seek to empower
entrepreneurs by arming
them with the tools they
need to launch their
businesses in Gloucester,
Virginia in order to create
GPT received 50 diverse, impressive

Her shop will include a number of

applicants for the competition. They

merchandise items, including

were sent proposals advertising for

handcrafted apparel, jewelry, and

businesses that ranged from beauty

pottery.

salons to blacksmith shops.

There will also be a caf that will

Due to receiving a pool of extremely

talented individuals, the competition
was very high, said Jenny Crittenden,
director of GPF. However, the
amount of passion and ambition
within Elizabeths application caught
us all off guard, and we immediately
knew we had found our winner.

offer coffee, pantry items, and

freshly prepared food, such as
breads and pastries. The menu will
be based on seasonal food and local
ingredients.
In addition, Powell plans on having
a side patio with a stage for local
artists and entertainers to perform
on during weekend nights.

During the next several weeks,

Powell will be attending professional
workshops, seminars, and promotion
events in order to prepare for
Elizabeths Corners grand opening.

(more)

jobs and fulfill dreams.

Gloucester Preservation Trust

Elizabeths Corner will be open
Monday-Saturday, 11:00 am-8:00 pm
on weekdays and 2:00 pm-12:00 am
on weekends.
The shop will supply an abundance of
womens boutique apparel, jewelry,
and other specialized, handmade
items. There will be a %10 off
purchase deal between May 15th and
30th if you bring a friend along to dine
and shop!

With a bright future ahead, Powell

GPT is thrilled to work alongside

has since caught up on paying her

Elizabeth and help her achieve a

bills, made plans to move into a

life-long dream.

bigger townhouse with her

Elizabeth states, GPT has

children, and looks forward to

provided me with the

starting her new business on Main

opportunity to not only give

Street.

myself a better life, but also my

When I heard that I had won the

competition, I couldnt believe my

The band, The Civil Wars, will be

performing the night of its grand
opening. There will also be $2.00
cosmos available during happy hour.

ears. It was as if God was giving me

GRAND OPENING IS MAY 1ST!

relief. Things are going to get better

a second chance, said Powell. For

the first time in over a year, I feel

in the end.
(

Powell is pleased to announce that

her business will open May 20, and
invites the public to come out and
support her in taking the next steps
toward a new, successful life.
Not only is it GTPs mission to
promote small business growth on
Gloucester Countys Main Street,
but it also strives to better the
community by helping those in
need of financial support.

(end)

children, and for that I am

forever grateful.

Gloucester Seeks to Turn

Entrepreneurs Dreams into
Realities
GlOUCESTER, VA6 February, 2015.

Small business is the backbone of

Gloucester Main Street business

communities around the Commonwealth.

partners, the Gloucester Main Street

They provide jobs, talent, end up leading

Association (GMSA) and Main Street

our civic organizations, and help our

Preservation Trust (GPT), have been

children pursue their dreams, said,

awarded $100,000 to promote small

Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Maurice

business development within Virginias

Jones.

Commonwealth. Gloucester County is

Entrepreneurship is a key component of

one of three communities to receive

our economic strategy, and we want to

this incredible reward and

foster the development of these individuals

opportunity.

and their ideas.

The grant is a part of Governor Terry

In order to receive this grant, entrepreneurs

McAuliffes Virginia Community

must apply and compete in the Launch

To watch an exclusive interview by

Gloucester contest. This competition

Hampton Roads NBC 10 with Jenny

Business Launch, a program that helps

develop successful and sustainable

enables entrepreneurs to propose their

communities by supporting small

individual small business ideas, as well as

business growth.

state how they plan to benefit the overall

community.

Both GPT and MSPT seek to use this

grant as a way to empower

The winner will be announced March 22,

2015, and the renovation process will begin.

entrepreneurs with the tools needed

for expansion and innovation.
(more)

Exclusive Interview

Crittenden, Executive Director of GPT,

and her partner Ashley Gilmartin at:
www.launchgloucester.com

Small businesses are the

backbone of communities
around the
Commonwealth.

In addition, a winner will receive a startup capital,

It is GPTs and GMSAs mission to provide

marketing and communication support, business

Gloucester Main Street with the support it

consultation, rent abatement, a ribbon cutting

needs to launch community-based

ceremony, video promotion, and memberships to

entrepreneurship, develop new jobs and

the Main Street Association and the Chamber of

opportunities for innovation, increase private

Commerce; a program valued to be nearly

investment, and promote the overall growth

$200,000.

of the Gloucester community.

Entrepreneurs and our business community will

Thanks to the hard work of Jenny Crittenden

not only benefit from this grant program, but will

and her partner, Ashley Gilmartin, Gloucester

also have access to top mentors and a prize

Main Street will become the land of

package which will truly help the winners build a

opportunity for many.

strong foundation for their businesses, said

(end)

Jenny Crittenden, Executive Director of GPT.

GPTS 2014 Initiatives

Manage the asset known as Main Street Center

Support the Gloucester Main Street Association by providing office space, funding the Director's office
along with marketing, advertising and website initiatives.

Saturday, April 11 & Sunday,

Fund and manage the faade improvement grant program for Main Street businesses

April 12

Work with consultants to strengthen the already existing businesses on Main Street through
educational workshops

Work with consultants to devise business recruitment strategies for Main Street

Continue the hotel key card project with local hotels

Increase promotion of Main Street and its businesses by partnering with the GMSA, EDA, Tourism, and
Chamber of Commerce in Phase 2 of the video project that is for the purpose of promoting the existing
businesses on Main Street as well as attracting additional residents, business, and tourists. Printed
materials will also be developed for use by real estate agents and for in person inquiries.

Calendar of Events
Daffodil Festival

7th Virginia Encampment

Saturday, May 23
Virginia Symphony "Under the
Stars"
Saturday, May 30
Guinea Jubilee
Friday, September 25 &
Saturday, September 26
Christmas and Holiday Parade
Saturday, December 5
Main Street Open House and
Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 5 and
Sunday, December 6
- See more at:
http://www.gloucesterva.info/tou
rism#sthash.JkD6kH41.dpuf

GPTs 2014 Initiatives

Sponsor community events that directly impact Main Street businesses

Design, print and distribute 20,000 Main Street Shop/Dine Guide throughout Virginia

Continue with the 2nd year of the interior grant program for Main Street businesses

Manage the database of available spaces for lease and sale along Main Street

Continue to be a business resource for new and existing business on Main Street

Continue to be a resource for those property owners seeking historic tax credits through rehabilitation
of their buildings

Assist in establishing a fund for long term capital investment (revolving loan program)

Introduce the MSPT to the community and its organizations. Share our projects and initiatives

Actively market the event space at Main Street Center to the community as a venue for meetings and
events both publicly and privately

Faade Improvement Programs

GPTs Projects for 2015

Hotel Key Card Project: the Main Street Preservation Trust announced its
plan to launch the Hotel Key Card Project which will link the patrons of
the Comfort Inn, Hampton Inn, and Bed & Breakfasts directly to Gloucester
Main Street. This unique card design will welcome visitors by offering them
a 10% discount at participating shops and restaurants, as well as a QR code

Business Restoration

that when scanned will highlight the towns happenings and businesses
along Main Street.

Pictured above is a prerestoration photo of the Texaco

Faade & Interior Improvement Grant Program: this program will seek to

station at the gateway to Main

enhance the traditional Main Street area and improve its economic vitality

Street and below it is a mock-up

by encouraging investment in Main Street buildings and businesses.

of improvements that could be

Business Recruitment & Retention Programs: business workshops will be

held to address the following 2 topics: "Plan B for your Business - how to retool your business in the new economy" and "Collaborative Marketing,"

implemented to restore the

aesthetics of the building. Design
services are available as part of
the Facade Grant Improvement

which will show businesses how to promote and hold events in order to

Program from simple to detailed.

increase business.

To learn more about this iconic

Lamppost Basket Beautification: GPT will fund the installment, planting,

Texaco restoration and how you

and maintenance of 40 flowering lamppost baskets along Gloucester Main

Street.
Gloucester Main Street Guide: GPT will produce over 20,000 copies to
place throughout Virginia in visitors centers, businesses, bed & breakfasts,
hotels, and campgrounds.
Bay Aging/Senior Center Annex Renovation Project: The building is owned
by Gloucester County but they did not have the funds to be able to do the

can be a part of restoring history,

please visit fairfieldfoundation.org

Gloucester Preservation
Trust

Meet the Board of Executives

Gloucester Main Street

Preservation Trust
(804) 832-5203
(804) 832-5204
GMSPT@gva.org

Michael Smith
Vice President

Jenny Crittenden
Executive Director

Public Relations
Amberly Millis
Find us on
(757)-903-1890
the Web:
www.gloucestermainstreet.org
amberlymillis@gmail.com
www.launchgloucester.com
Ashley Gilmartin
Codirector

About GPT

GPT is a nonprofit organization that supports the

Currently, Main Street Center is a thriving center of

Gloucester County community by initiating growth,

business housing. The Gloucester County Public

innovation, and sustainability. It promotes expansion

Library, United States Post Office, Gloucester County

and uses its assets to attract new and additional

Health department, restaurants, offices, physicians,

businesses to Gloucesters Main Street. GPTs

retail businesses, and event center all reside within

mission is to enhance the economic and business

the center.

environment, preserve historical landmarks in the

The Josephs provided two gifts to Gloucester: the

Gloucester Court House Village area, and promote

first being the vision and funding to bring Main Street

civic and cultural activities.

Center to life, and second the gift of placing it in a

In 2003, the Josephs purchased the shopping center,

rehabilitated the property, provided a suitable space
for a new public library, and worked to produce
income that would enhance and improve Gloucester
Main Street. The Josephs continued with their
renovation, and thus Main Street Center was born.

Trust that specifically states the profits are to only

benefit Gloucester Main Street. Their unparalleled
gifts rate as the greatest acts of philanthropy ever
bestowed upon Gloucester County.