The diversity of businesses among our commercial customers is truly unique and something we consider to be a very special quality of our company. In the recent months, however, we have more reason than ever to be especially grateful for the dozens of businesses that call our commercial properties “home.”
The Charlottesville Better Business Challenge has encouraged over 100 area businesses to incorporate sustainability into their daily operations, and seven of those participants are commercial customers at Woodard Properties! Carpet Plus made the switch to LED lighting and single-stream recycling, and they utilize eco-friendly materials (cork flooring and a nontoxic, natural plaster for walls) throughout their showroom to serve as an example for clients. Natural Earth Laundry implemented a map routing software program to maximize their fuel efficiency, and they significantly reduced the amount of water used in each wash cycle. Artisan Construction, the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, C’ville Coffee, Great Harvest Bread Company, and Jean Theory also participated in this friendly competition and did their part to have a positive impact on our local community!
While the Better Business Challenge has come to a close, the hype over the annual Best of C’ville awards is just beginning! Each year over 400 people, places, and things are nominated as the “best” of their particular 
category (restaurant, boutique, home repair, venue, etc.), and eight of the nominations for 2012 belong to our commercial customers: Allied Yoga, C’ville Coffee, Great Harvest, Jean Theory, Circa, ACE Contracting, Busy Brooms, and Compu-Tune Up. Keep these local businesses in mind when casting your ballot, and be sure to vote by June 29th. We have already placed our votes and wish you all the best of luck!
And last, but not least, the Woodard Team was thrilled to see two of our commercial customers at First & Main featured in a Washingtonian article that suggests an impromptu vacation to Downtown Charlottesville and highlights the area’s “impressive collection of stores.” The article describes Verdigris as eclectic and arty, while Derriere de Soie is “everything we dream of in a lingerie boutique.” We couldn’t agree more and hope that readers will take the Washingtonian’s advice and pay these fabulous shops a visit!
We look forward to the continued success of all of our commercial customers and are excited for all of the accomplishments yet to come!