Ever wanted to explore Green Front? Peek behind the scenes?
We will be offering monthly tours this summer that will take you through the depths of Green Front, from the bottom of Building One to the third floor of Building Eight and everywhere in between. History, furniture lines, new arrivals—you’ll see it all. You’ll touch walls made of brick from High Bridge, stand under the beauty of exposed wood beams, and walk on floors worn smooth by thousands of feet over the course of more than a hundred years.
You’ll discover unique finds and specialty items that you might miss if you explore on your own. You’ll also learn about the history of Green Front, see artifacts— tobacco scales, old signs and Indian archways—and maybe even hear a few insider secrets to boot.
A Green Front tour is not for the faint of heart. Here are the numbers.
— 13 Buildings
— 3.5 Miles
— 22 Sets of Stairs
— 2.5 Hours
Sandy Henderson, owner of Rug Rats, will be your tour guide. The tours will begin at her store, located in Building Eight.
“I’ve been in business alongside Green Front for nearly 30 years. I’ve watched it grow from a few stores on Main Street to the furniture mecca it is today,” says Sandy. “The tour is a unique way to explore Green Front, it’s history and it’s furniture.”
Here are three things you’ll need to bring with you:
— Comfortable Walking Shoes: That’s a no brainer.
— Season-Appropriate Clothes: Not all the warehouses have heating and cooling. (Despite our exhaust fans, it can get toasty on the third floors of those tobacco warehouses of yesteryear.) Be sure to dress warm if it’s chilly, cool if it’s hot.
— A notebook or camera: Our explorers almost always find a piece of furniture they’ve “got to have.” But, the tour moves quickly and there isn’t time for purchases along the way. By taking notes or pictures, you’ll have a way to find that “must have” item when you’re done.
The tour will take you to every building and every floor, but, Sandy warns, “we won’t go down every aisle.” To make it through the entire campus before lunch, the pace will be brisk, but not grueling. Let’s put it this way. You can count it as your exercise for the day, but it’s no P90x.
Tour Details
Dates— The third Wednesday of every month:
May 20
June 17
July 15
August 19
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Place: You’ll meet Sandy at Rug Rats, located in Building Eight.
Tour participants must reserve their spot by RSVPing to Sandy at sandy@rugratsva.com.
Space is limited to 10, so be sure to register early. Tours will only be held if at least five people are registered.
