Instead of waxing poetic about cilantro and scene, I’d like to take a moment to recognize some downtown mall vendors and servers who are the reason why I work and play downtown. In no particular order:
Artifacts
109 South First Street
The owner told me that he finally gave in to doing what he loves, and it’s clear he’s loving it. His inventory is constantly changing with design trends and his own interests, so visit often.
X Lounge
313 Second Street SE
JF and Francois are arguably the best in the business. (Sorry, Coran!) JF maintains a cool and uber-professional front while Francois serves drinks expertly from behind the bar, looking perpetually amused with the clientele’s antics. “The X†has become my favorite bar, in no small part because of the ownership. More than that, I know I’ll get to sit (comfortably), catch up with friends I don’t normally run into during the week, and enjoy the tallest glass of champagne I’ve ever been served. Cheers to you!
Druknya
221 West Main Street
Formerly Carden, Druknya is now owned by husband and wife team Gyaltsen Druknya and Tashi Dolkar. The Hook seems to have taken an interest in the business these past few months, as it put former owner and local musician John Carden in the Hot Seat, and gave Facetime to the new owners. Gyaltsen and Tashi are from Tibet and sell prayer flags and candles in the store, along with a fine collection of hair products. I’ve never seen someone leave without a smile (and great color). I’m a salon-hopper, but I really liked my stop here.
Industry
112 Second Street NE
I really like their clothes! It’s like shopping in New York without thinking I’m being judged. The inventory rotates, always understated cool, not overtly trendy. The prices are modest, and the dresses are NOT! This we like.
South Street Brewery
106 South Street
Through throngs of yuppies, cigarette smoke, and bar spills, the woman who runs the bar just keeps on smiling. How? Seriously. How?!
Gravity Lounge
103 South First Street
It’s great space: dimly lit brick walls lined with books, books, and more books. Countless Charlottesville stars have graced its stage, and I hope many more are still to come. I can’t imagine an unhappy employee, and I have yet to meet one.
Jefferson-Madison Regional Library
201 East Market Street
It’s our library! The staff has always been helpful, as librarians often are. (Impatient and disorganized people are not the library type.) I just like the feel of libraries. I could go weeks, even years, without seeing an oversized display of a classic childhood literary scene if not for libraries. And while I will pay for books, it’s awfully nice of the library not to charge me.
Please add more!
Related posts:
- Letter from Disgruntled Downtown Mall Businesses
- Downtown Cop Hangout?
- Downtown Mall Sign Ordinance Reversed=Happy Businesses
You know, the woman who keeps on smiling at South Street has a twin (assumably) sister that also keeps on smiling!
Love the post…but X lounge? Really?
Just curious how the scene is there 1 year on. Anyways, no Marco and Luca?
Sure I like dumplings, but the rest of these places have more socialization in the transactions. (I should exclude South Street from that. The woman’s smile could cut through… umm… iron
) So Iron, you gotta post your preferences 
The C&O
crud buster: yes, yes, yes.
Correction. Oui, oui, oui.
Can I get a decent meal at the X Lounge, or is it strictly for crushing liquor drinks?
I only speak for myself when I say: the latter.
I think X-Lounge has mostly exceptional food. It gets a bad rep (at least from my hipster friends) because of the yuppie vibe, but I always have a good time and eat and drink well there.
Not really a fan of Marco & Luca. Those dumplings are S-K-E-T-C-H-Y.
Atomic Burrito has one of the more underrated music scenes in town. I mean, where else can you go to see blues, bluegrass, punk, reggae, or any other form of music on the downtown mall–for free? The atmosphere is sort of kitschy, but neat. It was actually the first bar I ever went to in Charlottesville, on my first night here. I was drawn in by the music of Ian Gilliam on a cold March night when most of the other bars were quiet and there were no people walking on the mall.
Atomic rules. Best dive bar in Cville. Best wait staff and bartenders. Best salsa.
CB – No offense, but any place that even pretends to offer coconut whole grain rice is no dive bar.
I’ve been waiting and waiting for someone to mention something that has become a bit of a tradition around here. I guess the crowd that frequents this blog isn’t aware of it or if they are, they aren’t talking about it, so I’m going to write an entry…
X Lounge has excellent food – the white truffle Mac and Cheese is one of my favorite CVille meals.
d’oy
For the most part, I love ACAC. Sometimes they’re a bit too pretentious, and some of the staff on the floor doesn’t seem that interested in spotting or demonstrating proper technique (not a good way to get clients, people!), but I really love the rooftop, and seeing Chief Longo sweat his way through early morning workouts before a day of fighting crime!