United Way celebrates new location in Danville

The United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County celebrated its new location in Danville’s downtown Tobacco Warehouse District on Monday with a ribbon-cutting and open house.

Patrick Jinks, president of the local United Way, opened the festivities by thanking the various partnerships that made the move possible — and didn’t forget to thank Dan River Inc., who rented them space on West Main Street for almost 25 years at the price of one dollar per year.

“It helped your dollars stay where they needed to stay,” Jenks told a crowd of about 50.

As the afternoon wore on, the crowd doubled in size, with guests touring the portion of the Lindsay Lofts project at 308 Craghead St. that the United Way now owns. Bronx Boy Bagels provided an array of food that could be found in offices and meeting rooms throughout the site.

“We bought two condo spaces,” Jinks said, adding that the United Way and several tenants share the space. The tenants are Zinc Salon, which leases about half of the building next door, and four other non-profits — The Alzheimer’s Association, Dan River Center for Voluntarism, Big Brother/Big Sisters of Danville Area Inc. and the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce — which share office and meeting space with the United Way.

“Anne Moore-Sparks (of Danville’s Office of Economic Development) tipped us off that this location might be a good spot,” Jinks said. “As soon as we saw it, we knew this was the spot.”

Jinks said it took about a year to bring the project together, and that most of the tenants moved in the end of August. They held off on holding the ribbon cutting until everyone was settled in, Jinks said.

John Gilstrap, of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Danville Inc., said he was very pleased with the location.

“We really like it down here,” Gilstrap said. “I’ve been really impressed with the location.”

Laurie Moran, president of the Danville-Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, said the organization has been using the location for meetings, workshops and seminars. They also have visitor information on hand for guests to the city.

Jim Cheatham, the developer who put the whole Lindsay Lofts project together was on hand for the opening. He said 11 of the 21 residential units have been leased, and a growing number of the commercial spaces — such as United Way’s new office — are filling up.

Coy Harville, chairman of the Pittsylvania County Board of Directors, told the crowd he is pleased with the new location because it reflects the spirit of cooperation between the city and the county.

“I don’t care where it’s located, as long as it’s for the betterment of all in Southside,” Harville said. “It’s great to work together as a team for the betterment of all.”