By Ashley McLeod, Staff Writer
Feb 17, 2014, 14:00
PETERSBURG — The owners of Dixie Restaurant, located in downtown Petersburg, have branched out and opened a small gift store, where customers can find a wide variety of products made right here in Virginia.
Sweet Dixie, located just around the corner from the restaurant at 8 West Bank Street, opened December 6, and features baked goods, foods, small gifts.
Co-owner Frannie Rawlings, who owns the shop with partner BG Brinkley, described the shop as a gift store, which also sells baked goods and focuses on products made in Virginia.
“We really want to have as much made in Virginia products, whether it’s gifts or food,” Rawlings said.
The shop also features items made by local businesses. There is jewelry that contains small photos of Petersburg landmarks, pottery made by a potter from Petersburg, and homemade soaps from Disputanta, among other gifts.
There are also a number of different foods at the store. Homemade desserts and other goods made at the Dixie Restaurant are sold, along with cheeses, coffee, tea, peanuts and spreads.
Rawlings said they are currently working on bringing Virginia wines to the shop for sale.
The shop fills what Rawlings described as a missing part in the streets of downtown.
“There was a need for a shop like this, there was just no other place really like it,” Rawlings said. “There was no gift shop, and there was no bakery, and we’ve filled that need.”
The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Sweet Dixie is closed on Monday and Sunday.
