PENNINGTON GAP, VA – AUGUST 5, 2024 – After purchasing land in Lee County in 2023 and making the decision to move from Greenville, SC, to Virginia, Jeff and Tanya Taylor became immersed in the community and began looking for ways to invest in their new small town way of life and to give it a boost and set an example. They found that way to invest and give back when they opened Stone Mountain Yogurt, LLC on 124 N. Main Street in Pennington Gap, VA.
Stone Mountain Yogurt, LLC was a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant. Seed capital grants are funded from regional funds received by VCEDA which are paid by the natural gas industry.
“Stone Mountain Yogurt, LLC, appeals to both locals and tourists alike with the variety of the yogurt products they sell at their location and the growing popularity of frozen yogurt-based products,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “The business projects two full-time and three part-time employees within five years.”
Stone Mountain Yogurt recently celebrated its first year in business, offering a hot dog dinner plate to customers as a show of appreciation. With seating for 22, the shop features traditional yogurt soft serve specialties as well as a hot fudge brownie sundae which Tanya said remains the shop’s most popular menu item. Wednesdays, however, hold something special with the featured BYOB event – bring your own banana and they’ll make your banana split at half price. The business also makes its own waffle cones, waffle bowls and brownies and offers pup cups for their customers’ furry friends. Hand-crafted milkshakes, “Affogato” — flavored coffee poured over yogurt — and hot chocolate are also available.
Jeff noted the yogurt shop has many repeat customers and Tanya added every day also brings in a new customer.
“We try to use local suppliers as much as possible, especially during seasonal times when fresh fruits are available,” they noted. “We believe everyone deserves a place where they can receive a quality product at a great price with outstanding customer service.”
Supporting the community through sponsorships for high school athletics is also important to the Taylors as they continue to grow their business.
“The VCEDA grant will help us to add an additional soft serve machine which will in turn allow us to offer more flavors,” Tanya said.
“The additional machine will also save on wear and tear on our other two machines,” Jeff added.
Take-out yogurt in pint sizes is also available in the store’s display freezer.
The Taylors worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) in developing their application to VCEDA and received a letter of support from the Lee County Economic Development Authority.
“The Taylors have discovered a product with broad market appeal and have greatly enjoyed becoming an integral part of the Pennington Gap community,” said Becki O’Quinn-Purdie, SBDC director at MECC. “Their passion for their business and dedication to serving the community are evident. Their encouragement and support of other businesses foster growth and prosperity within the Pennington community. MECC SBDC enjoyed working with the Taylors and learning more about Stone Mountain Yogurt.”
Stone Mountain Yogurt, LLC is open Wednesday through Saturday from 12 noon to 8 p.m. and may be found on Facebook, through its website at stonemountainyogurt.com, or the shop may be reached by calling 276-299-2210.
About Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and Southwest Virginia’s e-Region: The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1988 to enhance and diversify the region’s economy and help create jobs, markets Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and its focus on electronic information technology, energy, education, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship. VCEDA is a unique economic development organization that manages funds for economic development projects from a percentage of the coal and natural gas severance taxes paid by coal and natural gas companies that operate in the region. Located in southwestern Virginia, the region includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton. www.vceda.us or www.e-Region.org.
About the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority Seed Capital Matching Grant Fund: VCEDA region for-profit businesses, within qualifying business categories, one year and under with less than 10 full-time employees are eligible to apply for dollar-for-dollar matching grants up to $10,000 from the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Fund. Applicants work with the Small Business Development Centers at Mountain Empire and Southwest Virginia community colleges to prepare the applications to VCEDA that include detailed business and financial plans. Businesses must be located in or plan to operate in the VCEDA region in southwestern Virginia that includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton.