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A teenager fresh out of high school has quietly become one of Portsmouth’s newest small-business owners, opening a store that feels like it was lifted from another era. Teaming up with her father, she’s trying to stitch a bit of old-fashioned charm back into Olde Towne while juggling college classes and the daily realities of running a retail shop.
The Marketplace and General Store opened in 2023 with a clear mission: offer a family-friendly, historic shopping experience that reminds visitors of simpler times. For the store’s co-owner, the venture is both a community project and a personal stepping stone as she begins her college career nearby.
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Growing up exploring rustic country shops in the North Carolina mountains left a lasting impression on Lindsay Goodwin. That affection for timeworn counters, jarred candies and locally made goods is what she wanted to bring back to Portsmouth’s streets.
After graduating from Churchland High School last summer, Lindsay became a co-owner of the Marketplace and General Store. She is now starting as a college freshman at Virginia Wesleyan University where she plans to major in Arts and take a minor that benefits from hands-on business experience.
Family Business with Purpose: Why They Opened the Store
Lindsay’s father, Tony Goodwin, spent much of his career in commercial real estate. He helped build the shop not just as a business but as a learning lab for his daughter and a civic anchor for the neighborhood.
- Community anchor: Reintroduce a gathering place that complements Olde Towne’s historic character.
- Practical experience: Give Lindsay a chance to apply coursework and learn retail operations firsthand.
- Economic opportunity: Create a sustainable small business that can support a family and draw shoppers back to High Street.
Balancing School, Sales, and Seasonal Swings
Running a small retail operation in a historic district comes with predictable ups and downs. Summer festivals, holiday crowds and tourist seasons boost sales, while quieter months test the store’s staying power. Lindsay acknowledges the challenge of keeping grades up while managing inventory and customer service, but she’s optimistic.
Customers often provide the shop’s best reinforcement. Many tell the owners the store “feels like something I remember from my childhood,” a sentiment that reinforces why the project began in the first place. Those nostalgic responses provide momentum even when weekday foot traffic dips.
What Shoppers Find Inside the Marketplace and General Store
Curated goods that evoke a simpler time
- Classic candies and treats displayed in glass jars
- Locally made gifts and artisan items
- Home goods and small-batch pantry staples
- Thoughtful keepsakes aimed at visitors and longtime residents alike
The merchandise mix is designed to spark memories and encourage leisurely browsing — a contrast to the grab-and-go model of many modern outlets.
Anchoring High Street: Small Retail as Community Revitalization
Tony sees the store as more than a shop; it’s part of a strategy to breathe life back into High Street, which has experienced vacancy struggles. A single storefront can’t fix structural economic issues, but a well-loved local business can attract neighbors, encourage foot traffic and signal that the district is worth investing in.
For Lindsay, the near-term goals are deliberate and practical: keep sales steady, maintain the store’s inviting atmosphere, and stay on top of her coursework. From there, the future — whether the business grows into additional locations, evolves into a different concept, or remains a beloved local fixture — will unfold as they learn from each season on the street.
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Michael Thompson is an experienced journalist covering U.S. and global news. With ten years on the front lines, he breaks down political and economic stories that matter. His precise writing and keen attention to detail help you grasp the real‑world impact of every event.
Man, I remember the time I stumbled into a gem of a general store in the middle of nowhere. Its like stepping into a time machine, surrounded by all these quirky knick-knacks and local goodies. Glad to see the tradition living on!
Man, reminds me of my grandmas store back in the day. Hope this freshman keeps the charm alive. Small towns need these places. Wonder if they sell those old-school candies… Id swing by for a dose of nostalgia.
My grandmas store? Man, that takes me back! Those old-school candies hit different, huh? Hope this freshman keeps the charm alive. Small towns thrive on places like that. Bet theyve got all the goodies to teleport us back in time! Gotta swing by for a dose of nostalgia too!
Man, that takes me back to when I tried to run a lemonade stand at age 10. This freshmans got guts! Wonder if they sell more than lemonade. Hope they keep the old-timey vibe alive.
Man, I remember when we used to hang out at this old general store after school. Now, this college freshmans bringing it back to life? Thats like some full-circle magic right there. Wonder if theyll have my favorite candy from back in the day.
Man, general stores take me back. I remember my grandma taking me to one as a kid, the smell of old wood and sweets. Glad to see someone reviving that vibe. Hope they keep it real, not just for the gram.
I remember my grandmas stories bout the ol general stores. This college kid bringin that vibe back in Olde Towne, Virginia? Thats somethin special. Hope folks appreciate the history and heart put into it.
Man, those grandma tales hit different, right? The vibes of the ol general stores making a comeback through this college kid in Olde Towne, Virginia… thats legit cool. Lets hope the locals dig the history and passion poured into it.
Man, this reminds me of that time I tried reviving my old lemonade stand with a high school buddy. Didnt last long, but hey, respect to the college freshman for bringin Olde Towne, Virginia some fresh vibes!
Man, I remember those ol family trips to a general store, pickin out penny candy and checkin out all the quirky knick-knacks. Glad to see that vibe comin back with a fresh twist in Olde Towne, Virginia. Time to plan a visit!
Aint nothin like that ol school charm, eh? Pickin penny candies and scopin out them quirky knick-knacks—sounds like a real blast from the past! Olde Towne, Virginias got that sweet, nostalgic vibe goin on. Time to pack your bags and hit the road, right? Enjoy your trip down memory lane!
Man, I remember when my granny used to take me to these old-timey stores. Good to see a young buck reviving the tradition. Hope he keeps the charm alive. #nostalgia
Man, general stores bring me back. Love seein young folks keepin traditions alive. Hope they keep the charm amidst all the modern hustle. Wonder if they got them old-school candies, though.
Aww, man, aint nothin like a good ol general store to stir up some sweet memories, huh? Its rad seein the young guns keepin those old traditions alive. Heres hopin they dont lose that cozy vibe in all this modern chaos. And haha, I feel ya on those old-school candies – bet they got some hidden treasures in there!
Man, reminds me of my grandmas old store. Nostalgia hits hard. Hope this college kid keeps the spirit alive! But hey, can they compete with Amazon these days? Gotta admire the hustle.
I remember my grandma takin me to a similar olde store when I was a kid. Nostalgias kickin in! Cant believe a freshmans bringin back those vibes. Maybe I should start my own time machine shop or somethin!
Man, thats wild! Sounds like you had a blast with your grandma back in the day. Time machines, huh? Better watch out for any paradoxes or stuff. But hey, if you need a partner in crime for that time-traveling business, count me in! Who knows, maybe well bump into our past selves and mess up the whole space-time continuum!
Man, I remember exploring old general stores as a kid, finding hidden treasures. Bringing that vibe back sounds rad. Wonder if they sell those vintage candies that tasted like childhood in Olde Towne, Virginia now?
Ah, dude, those old general stores were the bomb! I totally get that nostalgic vibe youre talking about. Imagine stumbling upon those vintage candies that taste like pure childhood in Olde Towne, Virginia now! Itd be like a time machine straight to the good ol days. Hope theyre still keeping those treasures stocked up for us to relive those sweet memories.
Man, general stores bring back memories of penny candy and wooden floors. Its rad to see a young buck reviving the ol tradition. Hope they keep the charm alive in Olde Towne, Virginia.
Man, I remember when I tried running a lemonade stand back in the day. This college freshman reviving a general store in Olde Towne, Virginia? Thats some serious ambition! Wonder if theyll sell grandmas secret fudge recipe too.
Dang, I feel ya! Lemonade stand hustles back in the day were the real deal. This freshmans stepping up their game, right? Who knows, maybe theyll drop the fudge bomb soon! Cant underestimate those sweet, grandma recipes. The Olde Towne, Virginia vibes are getting interesting!
Man, I remember my grandma takin me to this ol general store as a kid. Smell of fresh bread, creaky wooden floors… Glad to see this college freshman bringin back that vibe in Olde Towne, Virginia. Hope they keep that rustic charm alive!
Dude, that’s some real cozy vibes you got there! Grandma’s general store sounds like a dream. Hope this freshman keeps the charm rollin’ in Olde Towne, Virginia. Fresh bread and creaky floors, man, thats the good stuff!
I remember my grandmas stories bout the old general store. Nostalgia hits hard seein this college freshman bringin it back. Hope they keep the charm alive in Olde Towne, Virginia!