About DBAC
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find handicapped parking?
- Handicapped parking is available on Market and Water Streets which run parallel to the pedestrian downtown mall. Closer to certain parts of the outdoor mall, additional handicapped parking may be found on 2nd Street SE/NE (ONE WAY from Water Street to Market Street), 4th Street NE/SE (ONE WAY from Market Street to Water Street) and many of the number side streets which DO NOT access the Downtown mall but end at Downtown Mall.
What are the Downtown Mall hours?
- The Downtown Mall is an outdoor, pedestrian mall that can be walked from end to end and is line with over 250 retail shops, restaurants, cafes, and service-oriented shops such as salons. Hours vary amongst many of the businesses so please consult the individual businesses. You may also visit https://www.downtowncharlottesville.net/ for listing of many of the shops that are located on Downtown Charlottesville’s Historic Mall.
Does the Downtown Mall host special events throughout the year?
- The Downtown Mall is home to many spaces that are used to host private events and special public events throughout the year. Information regarding these events can be found on the Downtown Charlottesville website (https://www.downtowncharlottesville.net/cal), on the City of Charlottesville’s website (http://www.charlottesville.org/), and on websites for individual businesses.
Is there a Lost and Found for the Downtown Mall?
- Currently, there is no lost and found for the Downtown Mall. You may contact the businesses you visited or the City of Charlottesville Police Department (434-970-3280) to make inquiries.
Please click here for a list of frequently asked questions in PDF form.
DBAC GIFT CERTIFICATES ARE AVAILABLE
Need the perfect gift? Purchase DBAC Gift Certificates and give your loved ones an Uncommon shopping experience in Downtown Charlottesville! Click here to learn more.
The DBAC strives to provide a high level of service to our members businesses. In addition to providing marketing opportunities, leadership roles, and an influential forum for turning ideas into actions, the DBAC always keeps its members up-to-date with recent news, information, and events happening downtown. Membership benefits include:
MEMBER RECOGNITION
We strongly support our members in all their events and marketing campaigns. And in our own marketing, we feature DBAC members and give them top priority in downtown recommendations.
WEBSITE
Member businesses enjoy an enhanced listing on our website, which is one of the most comprehensive resources of Downtown Charlottesville’s entertainment and businesses.
NEWSLETTER
Bi-monthly, we send out a newsletter highlighting DBAC members’ events, festivals, activities, programs, concerts, plays, and more going on in downtown Charlottesville. Over 1,500 people use the newsletter to stay up-to-date with local events. In each issue we highlight 5 member businesses as well. The newsletter is posted to our thousands of Facebook and Twitter followers as well.
SOCIAL MEDIA
We have a large Facebook presence with 17,000+ likes, Instagram presence with 2,000+ followers and Twitter presence with 4,500+ followers that we use to promote the Downtown Mall. For members, we offer free advertising to a wider, but still relevant audience with our “Membership Spotlight” campaign and eye-catching posts. We also advertise special events, sales, and campaigns of member businesses for free.
DOWNTOWN GIFT CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Gift Certificates can be purchased online, in-store at Darling Boutique and Magpie Knits and at a self-service kiosk in York Place. They make great gifts and encourage traffic! To learn more about Downtown Cville Gift Cards, please visit the Gift Cards page.
PARTNERSHIPS WITH AREA MEDIA
In past years, we have partnered with various radio, print and television publications to create promotional packages and advertising discounts for downtown merchants.
MEMBERSHIP EMAIL LIST
Every DBAC member is connected on a membership email list to encourage communication and promote partnerships and networking. This list has not and will never be sold.
You can become a member by visiting this page. Please send any questions to join@downtowncharlottesville.com
DBAC Board Members
Alex Bryant, President
Susan Bashline, Vice Chair
Roy Van Doorn, Treasurer
Joan Fenton, At Large
Susan Payne, At Large
Megan Abato, Secretary
Bri Benjamin, Admin
Charles Friend
Andy McClure
Jason Ness
Matthew Simon
2021 DBAC Members
2nd Act Books
Angelo Jewelry
Blue Ridge Group
Blue Whale
Caspari
Chaps Ice Cream
Citizen Bowl
Citizen Burger Bar
City of Charlottesville Economic Development
Colliers International Real Estate
Cville Arts: A Cooperative Gallery
Grit Coffee
Hamilton’s at First & Main
Hampshire Investments
Central Place
Hedge Fine Blooms
Hourigan Construction
IX Art Park/Monticello Associates
J Fenton Gifts
Java Java
Jean Theory:
Jefferson Theater, Southern
Jeweler’s Eye
Lanier Parking Solutions
Lynne Goldman Elements
Magpie Knits
Main Street Properties
Marie Bette
Market Street Market
Market Street Wine Shop
Marriott Residence Inn
Moes Original BBQ
New Dominion Bookshop
Nook, The
O’Suz for Littles
O’Suzannah
Oyster House Antiques
Paramount Theater
Paw Prints Boutique
Petit Marie Bette
Quad C Management
Rapture
Red Light Management
Residence Inn Marriott
Rock Paper Scissors
Shenanigan’s
Sprint Pavilion
Stay Charlottesville
Ten Sushi
The Escape Room
The Fitzroy
The Nook Restaurant
The Spectacle Shop
Tilman’s cheese, wine and snacks
TJ Planning District
Tom Tom Foundation
Tuel Jewelers
Violet Crown
Virginia Discovery Museum
Virginia National Bank
Vitae Spirits Distillery
VMDO Architects
VMP/PBS
West Cote Properties
Whiskey Jar
Woodard Properties
Yves Delorme