Washington DC native Sarah Holway, co-founder of the food justice non-profit DC Greens, moved to western Loudoun in 2014 to be closer to the source of her food. She settled in Waterford and in 2019 opened The Corner Store, a shop specializing in local design, crafts, vintage goods and foods.
Favorite place to eat in Loudoun?
The Corner Store! We started doing food because I felt there were limited healthy casual options that were sourcing carefully from local farmers. I also love Market Burger, Cowbell Kitchen and Fireside Farm's Pizza - each is dedicated to seasonal and local sourcing.
Favorite place in Loudoun for a craft beverage?
Walsh Family Wine because I also love how the owners opened a collective for other winemakers to make wine onsite. Market Table Bistro in Lovettsville makes my favorite Old Fashioned with local Catoctin Creek Rye.
Best hidden gem in Loudoun?
Phillips Farm Trail in Waterford. Phillips Farm is a 150-acre conservation area full of owls, foxes, beavers, great herons, kingfishers and deer. There's a great flat trail along a creek that leads to a dam and a huge tree that's hundreds of years old. It's open to the public and accessed right in the village behind the Waterford mill.
What's a must-see place for an out-of-town visitor?
Waterford. The village is a National Historic Landmark and is rich with interesting history.
Favorite event in Loudoun to go to?
The Waterford Fair! More than 100 traditional craftspeople sell their goods and demonstrate, and the village really comes to life!
What's a fun fact to share about Loudoun?
It’s home to the largest number of data centers in the world.
When was The Corner Store established and are you the sole owner/founder?
I started it five years ago with my good friend Kathy Middleton – who shortly thereafter decamped to the south of France! That left me the sole proprietor but she continues to inspire me from afar.
What was the inspiration for the shop?
We originally rented it as a studio space and didn’t have a grand plan. We just didn't like it sitting empty and wanted to make it beautiful. I have let it evolve slowly to fill in gaps that meet both my love of design/rearranging/antiquing and the desires of the local community for a place to gather.
Can you name two or three unique items you sell?
We have beautiful wooden spoons by Drew Lauten made with found wood. He is a local contractor who carves spoons on the side! We have a line of beautifully designed and printed tea towels made by Emily Ruth, and hand-forged hooks and nails by Sophia Maravell who lives a few miles away. She will soon be blacksmithing in the Waterford Forge down the street. We also carry Virginia natural wines such as Quartzwood from Loudoun.
Why should people visit The Corner Store?
People say they just feel good when they come in. The space is warm, welcoming and soothing. That's reason enough but the food is a pure delight, the wines are natural and carefully curated and there's always something new. It changes a little every week.
How hard was it to open a business in historic Waterford?
Waterford is a tight-knit community and the ties that bind us together are our deep appreciation and love for historic preservation. I tried to listen to the villagers and create my version of what they asked for and have felt so much support and appreciation.
What was in the building before it became the shop?
It had been a general store since the 1800's.
You do dinners on weekends. Who is the chef and what is the concept?
The chef is Estelle Richer-Legault and she cooks plant-based food, with a few standards always available and a few specials that change every month. We always have a grazing board and a local hot dog, and the specials are things like wild mushroom tart, soups and salad. She also bakes a variety of pastries, cakes and cookies every weekend. She sources from local farms and cooks literally everything from scratch.
What Loudoun produce is on the menu?
Our veggies come from Moutoux Orchard and the rest from George's Mill Cheese, Meadow Bread, Misty Meadow Mushrooms, Spring House Farm, Hill Top Farm and more.
What other local design stores do you recommend in Loudoun?
I love Wldwst, Lucketts Store and King Street Collective. There's also Rust and Feathers!
