Hey Winstigators,
If you've ever headed out of Winchester on Rt. 50, you've passed through Ashby Gap; it’s that stretch of road that takes you through Paris and up into the Blue Ridge. You might slow down a little to take in the scenery, and now there's a great reason to pull over: Mountain Gap Market.
The place has been open a few months, and earlier this week I finally had my excuse to stop. It sits right at the top of the gap, and before I even got inside, I could smell fresh donuts from the parking lot. Good sign.
Once inside, I realized this is more than coffee and sandwiches. Mountain Gap is a genuine market; fresh produce, pastured meats, locally sourced goods. What sets it apart from a typical roadside stop is the intentionality behind it. There's a real effort to connect regional farms with the people who live here, and you can feel that in the selection.
But back to the donuts. If you're expecting something that requires two hands and a fistful of napkins, this isn't the spot. Frankly, they're small, but these little things are doing something right. They're technically cake donuts, but whoever is making them understands that "cake donut" shouldn't mean "dense hockey puck." They're fluffy and light inside, with just enough structure to hold together. The real star is the exterior, it’s a slight crust that gives way to the soft interior in a way that feels deliberate.
Come for the coffee, stay for the donuts, and leave with something you didn't plan on buying, like an apple tree (Yes, they sell those too!). That's the mark of a good market.
Be sure to check them out at www.mountaingapmarket.com
Pet Adoption!
Check out cool Sporty, sweet Posh, fun Baby, regal Sulley, inquisitive Bonnie, goofy Mr. Whatsit, and dapper Poppy.
Events and Happenings in Winchester and the Surrounding Territories
Friday, February 27th
Great Country Farms, Bluemont - Baby Dino Days, 9 AM
Winchester Area SPCA, Winchester - Cat Cave Crochet Circle, 2:30 PM
Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre @ SU, Winchester - Catch Me If You Can,(multiple dates and times available, check listing) 7:30 PM
Dirt Farm Brewing, Bluemont - Fireside Fish Fridays at Dirt Farm, 4 PM
Chilly Hollow Brewing Co., Berryville - Live Music: JJ Koennicke, 5 PM
8 Chains North Winery, Waterford - Artisan Pasta Making Class, 5 PM
The Typewriter Studio, Winchester - Vino Art Club - February!, 6 PM
West Oaks Farm Market, Winchester - Karaoke at West Oaks, 6 PM
Orlean Market & Pub, Orlean - Last Friday of the Month Community Jam Night, 6 PM
River Creek Club, Leesburg - History and High Rollers, 6 PM
Urban Easel, Martinsburg - Ladies Night Beginner Pottery Wheel, 6 PM
Barns of Rose Hill, Berryville - Porcelain War Screening, 7 PM
Anchor Bar NOVA, Leesburg - Will Shepard @ Anchor Bar Leesburg, 7 PM
Box Office Brewery, Strasburg - True Red White & Blue, 7 PM
Tally Ho Theater, Leesburg - 7 Bridges: The Ultimate Eagles Experience, 7 PM
Bright Box, Winchester - An Evening with Stephane Wrembel, 8 PM
Brickhouse Bar & Grill, Front Royal - Eclectic Company at Brickhouse, 9 PM
Skyline Paintball, Strasburg - Urban Legends: North vs. South, 2 PM
Saturday, February 28th
Moon Phased, Winchester - February Indoor Vendor Pop Up, 11 AM
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Charles Town - Candlebox: Can't Quit You Tour 2026, 8 PM
Bright Box Theater, Winchester - An Evening with Stephane Wrembel, 8 PM
Dirt Farm Brewing, Bluemont - Dirt Farm Disc Golf Throw Down, 10 AM
Coolfont Resort, Berkeley Springs - Live Music with Mack Berry, 6 PM
Juanita's Coffee, Ranson - Coffee Tasting, 10 AM
Winchester Brew Works, Winchester - Shades of HUNKS, 8 PM
Apple Blossom Mall, Winchester - 32nd Annual Valley Health Community Wellness Festival, 10 AM
411 S Lawrence St, Charles Town - Black History Soul Food Tasting & Program, 1 PM
Heritage Hall Banquet and Event Center, Inwood - Musselman Bandanza Cash Party, 5 PM
Weber's Nursery & Garden Center, Winchester - Succulent Bowl Workshop, 2 PM
115 Wolfe St, Winchester - WATTS Coldest Night of the Year, 4 PM
James Charles Winery & Vineyard, Winchester - Paella Day, 12 PM
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Harpers Ferry - Teddy Roosevelt 50-Mile Trek on the C & O Canal!, 4 AM
Backseat Bar and Grill, Winchester - 12 Sins, Sad In Static, Shadow Planet, 7 PM
Tally Ho Theater, Leesburg - Be Kind & Rewind: Ultimate 90s Experience, 7 PM
James Charles Winery & Vineyard, Winchester - Live Music with Chris Harasyn, 2 PM
Salamander Middleburg, Middleburg - Afternoon Tea Time, 1:15 PM
Bright Box Theater, Winchester - THE BASS CLUB PRESENTS: HE$H, 8 PM
Moon Phased, Winchester - Guest Reading: Mad Hatter Tarot, 11 AM
Sunday, March 1st
Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre @ SU, Winchester - Final Round of the Student Soloists Competition, 3 PM
Winchester Visitor Center, Winchester - VA250 Guided Walking Tour of Revolutionary War Era Buildings, 10 AM
Dirt Farm Brewing, Bluemont - Paint and Sip with Brushstroke Art, 12 PM
Adrenaline RC Raceway, Winchester - 1:10 Scale Spring Points Series, 12 PM
3.14 Pizza, Winchester - Restaurant Week at 3.14 Pizza, 11 AM
Martinsburg Moose Lodge 120, Martinsburg - Cash Bingo 💰, 2 PM
Nibblins, Winchester - Perfectly Polish II, 2 PM
Dirt Farm Brewery, Purcellville - Paint Your Pet at Dirt Farm Brewery, 12 PM
Piccadilly Grill, Winchester - Winchester Restaurant Week at Piccadilly Grill ✅, 11 AM
Alamo Drafthouse of Winchester, Winchester - "Best In Show" Memorial Benefit Screening, 10:30 AM
The Winchester Book Gallery, Winchester - Indie Press Month 2026, 11 AM
Gilbert's Corner Regional Park, Aldie - Birding Gilbert's Corner, 8 AM
Rust Library, Leesburg - Is AI Ruining Music?, 2 PM
North Mountain Vineyard & Winery, Maurertown - Applesauce Making Class, 10 AM
Archwood Green Barns Farmer's Market, The Plains - Winter Farmers Market, 10 AM
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Have fun out there!
