Mar 28, 2018 2 min read

Emerald Valley Artisans will be shutting down in downtown Washington for a relatively brief time.

“No, we’re not closing permanently and, no, we’re not moving – like some people are saying,” said Alisa Fava Fasnacht, co-owner of the Scenery Hill-based business with her sister, Racquelle Rockwell.

The siblings will close their South Main Street store after the workday Saturday to allow construction of, essentially, an ice cream parlor – replete with seating – inside their shop. Emerald Valley sells cheeses the company makes plus wines, spirits and other artisanal items from mostly local producers.

Fasnacht said the work will create more space. She and Rockwell hope to reopen the store in about six weeks, in time for the first day of the Main Street Farmers Market May 17, about 20 paces from Emerald Valley’s front door. Fasnacht is planning a soft opening for that day and a grand opening in June – National Dairy Month, as she pointed out.

“This will be a shrine to everything dairy,” Fasnacht said, laughing. The shop will sell artisanal ice cream from a manufacturer in Lancaster, and the sisters plan to eventually add grilled cheese sandwiches, soups and salads.

While their store is closed, the sisters will sell their cheeses and other dry goods at the Ivy Green nearby. The wines they sell will not be available at the floral shop.