About Downtown Front Royal

Over the last year, quite a few changes have taken place with the DBA as well as the downtown. In April 2007, the DBA submitted an application on behalf of Front Royal to become a designated Virginia Main Street (VMS) community. As an affiliate of this program, the DBA received some services, but felt full designation would offer the greatest benefit. Only three communities are accepted every three years into the VMS program. Sadly, Front Royal qualified 4th, just a few points outside of the target score for acceptance.

During the VMS application process it was discovered that the DBA would need to restructure itself from a 501(c)6, member-driven organization to a501(c)3 non profit, community development organization. Public charity status was granted to Downtown Front Royal, Inc. in November 2007. This means that all donations are fully tax deductible.

In conjunction with this new status, the purpose of Downtown Front Royal also changed. Rather than a business organization created to serve its members, DFR is a community-based organization, now focused on the heritage and culture of downtown as well as the prosperity of the businesses downtown. As such, you no longer have to be a member of DFR to participate in the many events and activities DFR sponsors; however, there are many benefits to becoming a member of this new organization. Click here for a look at our member benefits.

Click here to review a draft of our Program of Work that details our goals and mission for the downtown. We hope that you will support these tasks not just financially, but by volunteering your time and knowledge. If you are interested in volunteering, please also mark that in your application and return it with or without a donation.

Board of Directors

Rick Novak, President 
Owner -Royal Family Amusements
rnovak@embarqmail.com

Brandy Rosser, Vice President
brandyrosser@hotmail.com

Herb Melrath, Treasurer
Owner, Main Street Daily Grind
msdailygrind@embarqmail.com

Celeste Brooks, Secretary
Director of Public Relations, Randolph-Macon Academy
cbrooks@rma.edu

Patti Baggarly, Member At Large
Volunteer Coordinator, The Volunteer Farm of Woodstock
pattiatmain@embarqmail.com

Kym Crump
Executive Director, Blue Ridge Arts Council
kcrump1@embarqmail.com

Teresa Henry
Owner, Linking You Web & Business Solutions
thenry@linkingyou.com

Janet Michael, Member At Large
Owner, Java Media Concepts
janet@javamediaconcepts.com

There is currently one board position available. Applications are being accepted until November 25, 2008. Please contact a board member above if you are interested. Click here to download an application.

We are anxious to hear from you and welcome your comments and suggestions.