While many small towns experienced a decline in real estate sales over the past two years, a decline in property values as well as the local economy, West Jefferson has sustained both in the downtown businesses and sales of homes in and around West Jefferson.
This spring, West Jefferson is not only maintaining; we are actually on the upswing. We are seeing several new businesses coming to town and those businesses that weathered the decline in the economy are now increasing their inventories, remodeling their buildings and employing more people.
Why has West Jefferson sustained in both downtown and real estate, while other small towns declined?
West Jefferson has made significant improvements to Downtown in recent years and to its parks and green spaces. The last phase of Streetscape is scheduled for completion in June.
One of the newest additions is the Back Street Park, which is appropriately located on the Back Street in Downtown West Jefferson, and serves as an extension of the larger West Jefferson Park. The park was established in 2007 and is a venue for summer concerts and other community celebrations, such as the lighting of the town Christmas tree during the Holiday Season.
A covered stage was added to the Back Street Park to allow bands to perform for the beloved Back Street Summer Concert series, held on the third Friday of every month from May through August. The concert series features local and regional artists playing a mix of traditional bluegrass, county and gospel music. Concert goers are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket, and kick back and relax with their neighbors while enjoying the live music and community atmosphere.
The first concert of the season will be held Friday evening, May 31 featuring well-known, Wayne Henderson of Rugby, Virginia along with Helen While performing with him, assuring an exciting evening of mountain music.
The summer concert series begin at 5:30 pm and run till 7 pm and will feature the following duos/bands: King Bees on Friday, June 21, Garden Variety String Band on Friday, June 28, Crooked Road Ramblers on Friday July 19, Elkville String Band Friday, July 26, Grayson Highlands Band on Friday, August 16, Zephyr Lightning Bolts on Friday, August 23 and the Sheets Family Band on Friday, August 30.
One of the best features of the park is its proximity to Downtown West Jefferson, as well as the Ashe County Library and West Jefferson Park. The Back Street Park serves as a gateway to West Jefferson’s downtown green space, with newly constructed steps leading to the library and the larger park beyond. Another exciting addition to the park space is a paved and lighted walking trail around the perimeter of the park which was added in spring of 2012, allowing local and visitors alike to stroll the park, day or night.
Gather your friends and loved ones and make plans to come on out for some live mountain music this summer and explore all that Downtown West Jefferson has to offer! The concerts are FREE.
