Many, many years ago, circa 1937, in the little town of Fairfield, VA, there was a woman who possessed an entrepreneurial spirit well before her time. This woman, Ruth Smyer, along side her husband, “Lefty”, operated a phenomenally successful restaurant and motel by the name of Orchardside Court and Restaurant. Situated on 52 acres of land with an apple orchard as its backdrop; hence the name, they made this place a respite to many a hungry and tired traveler driving down Route 11. It was at Orchardside where Ruth and “Lefty” raised their three children, Bobbie, Carole and Virgil and made a “family” of sorts to all who worked and visited there. Once I-81 was constructed business dropped off considerably along Route 11, and Ruth, being the entrepreneur she was, decided to open up a knit shop within the walls of Orchardside Restaurant in 1963. She, along with “Lefty” ran the knit shop and served the occasional traveler, but it was now 1975 and they decided to pack up shop and move to Staunton, reestablishing the Orchardside Yarn Shop to Beverly Street. There, Ruth ran a successful little knit shop for thirteen years, welcoming all around the Orchardside knitting table, young and old and the newest and most experienced of knitters. After many, many years we have found a gift given to so many. It was in 1987 that Ruth decided it time to retire and her daughter, Carole, packed up her bags and moved from Richmond to carry on this legacy, opening up a quaint little knit shop in the heart of downtown Lexington, on Washington Street. There, Carole ran the shop until 1996 at which time she then moved the shop to her home in Raphine, VA.
Forty-six years later you will still find a sweet little yarn shop continuing on the knitting tradition, now into its third generation as now, Carole’s daughter, Bryan, joins her on this knitting adventure. You will still find the welcoming atmosphere around the Orchardside knitting table. The only thing that has changed is its backdrop. Now enjoy the beauty of mountainous views, a rippling creek and lovely gardens during the spring and summer months. We do hope you’ll come join us soon around the Orchardside Yarn Shop knitting table. We want you to help us continue on the tradition, one generation at a time!
