Main Street Initiative
Mock Con is dedicated to bolstering small businesses throughout the duration of the 2024 Cycle. We have 3 steps we are taking to achieve this goal:
Small Business Policy on the State and National Level
March 20, 2023
Claire Cerone and Martha Ernest
Platform Chair and Director of Community Outreach
Small Businesses Showcase the American Dream in Lexington
November 26, 2022
Martha Ernest
Director of Community Outreach
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James Allen Printing has been a staple in Lexington and Rockbridge County since its founding in 1971. A true family business run by James and his two sons, Jamie and Chad, James Allen Printing can print anything from banners to business cards. It is located on 145 E Midland Trail, Lexington, VA 24450.
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Run and co-owned by head chef, George Huger, the Southern Inn Restaurant is a staple on Main Street. The contemporary American cuisine brings comfort food to students, residents, and visitors of Lexington. Located on 37 South Main Street, Lexington, VA 24450, Southern Inn provides a friendly and historic atmosphere from the servers to the dining experience.
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University Florists is situated in the heart of Lexington providing the highest quality flowers and gifts. It has been locally owned for over 25 years, and customers receive consultations and deliveries from expert, friendly staff. Located on 165 South Main Street, Lexington, VA 24450, University Florists supplies unique and special floral arrangements.
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Alvin Dennis has served the Lexington community since 1963 selling men's and women's specialty apparel. The store is now run by Ginny, the daughter of the founder Alvin Carter. Located on 102 W. Washington St., Alvin Dennis provides quality products and meaningful service to its customers.
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Sarah Littlefair founded Appalachian Sage, a health and wellness-based hub, in November of 2022. Serving açaí bowls, smoothies, and cold pressed juice, this contemporary business invites residents and students to try something new to Lexington. Appalachian Sage is located on 9 E Washington St.
Inspired by the Republican Party’s dedication to small businesses, MockCon adopted this principle for our 2024 cycle. The Main Street initiative is especially important to us because of Washington and Lee’s strong relationship with the Lexington and Rockbridge County communities. Small businesses provide essential services to the University community as well as employ many students.
“More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and small businesses create about two-thirds of new jobs in the U.S. each year.”
We challenge ourselves and the W&L community to actively commit to supporting our small businesses and we are dedicated to strengthening these relationships and giving back to these establishments. Since the pandemic, Lexington businesses have shown immense resilience and still provide high value products amidst the current economic crisis.
local Lexington businesses employ W&L students
95% of businesses on Main Street are small businesses
Jules Seay ‘24
Global Ozone Environmental System (GOES)
“When I developed GOES in high school, I was motivated by wanting to make a big impact that would benefit the environment. I knew that I would make the biggest impact by tackling the biggest problem, climate change. Winning CES' pitch competition reassured me of my idea by being surrounded by the support of my CES peers and faculty. For the future of GOES, I see it turning into a fruitful business that benefits the environment and brings awareness to the climate crisis. Hopefully, I can expand my business into other environmental areas with humanitarian efforts and maybe by developing even more environmental technology!”
Austin Miller ‘24
Valet Student Storage
“Luke Alli ’22 reached out to me about running our on-campus operations when he left. I saw a great opportunity to learn about running a business as well as a way to make money to help me through college. It is both difficult and rewarding. Currently, I do much of the physical labor myself; however, I get the satisfaction of providing a good service to people I know. What I see as most important in operating a small business is offering a good service, especially at a small and close-knit school like Washington and Lee. I know almost everybody to who I deliver and enjoy getting to know others, so I feel an extra incentive to provide them withthe best service I can. I could not be more thankful for the opportunity to be able to work through challenges and make our business the best it can be.”
Uno Christopher ‘25
Uno’s Shoe Repair
“I started my business in the summer of 2021. Throughout high school, I cleaned my own shoes quite often and one day I thought a small shoe cleaning business would be a great idea to have a little income on theside. Since then, I have used social media (Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook) to acquire sustainable customer acquisition at W&L and with people back home. Hopefully, it will continue throughout my time here, where I can help students and people in the community.”
Bella Hodge ‘25
Surfsis
“I started Surfsis during covid just to have something for my sisters and I to have something to fill our time, with the support of my Aunt. I love to wear fun and wild clothes and there weren’t that many options swimsuit wise that I loved so I decided to make my own and base Surfsis around that. It started with the creation of the website and Instagram for marketing and continued with lots and lots of sewing to figure out what I liked. Since being at W&L I’ve been working to rebrand Surfsis so that I can have more creative freedom and extent our reach. For the past few months my sisters and I have been working with manufacturers to develop pajamas with our own prints and fabrics. As for the future for Surfsis I’m hoping thatafter the launch of the pajama line we can make our way back to swimwear and continue to grow.”