Cottonwood Ranch Farm Store Celebrates One Year in Front Royal

Cottonwood Ranch Farm Store marked its first anniversary with a ribbon-cutting on Saturday, May 30, celebrating a year of local food, family business, and community support in Front Royal.

The event was hosted by the Front Royal-Warren County Chamber of Commerce at the farm store, located at the former Springtime Nursery site on Warren Avenue. Chamber Executive Director Niki Foster welcomed the crowd and praised owners Paul and Kristin Uhlenkott for their investment in the community.

“Isn’t this place gorgeous?” Foster said as she opened the ceremony. “They’ve taken what was a wonderful property before and made it even more wonderful.”

Warren County Board of Supervisors Chair Cheryl Cullers also welcomed the business and said she appreciates local farmers who help supply farm-to-table food to Front Royal and Warren County residents. Front Royal Mayor Lori Cockrell said the store offers more than shopping, calling it “an experience” for visitors.

Walking onto the property, Cockrell noted the fire pit, family-friendly setting, and improvements at the former nursery site. She thanked the Uhlenkotts for investing in the town and said she looked forward to many more years of success for the business.

Bret Bemment, owner of Play Favorites and a Chamber representative, said the location has become a valuable addition to the community. He pointed to the children’s play area and said the business has built on the site’s history while making it something new.

Cottonwood Ranch Farm Store opened about a year ago and has since grown into a local destination for meats, produce, baked goods, and other farm-related products. The store sells beef raised by the Uhlenkotts, along with chicken from Whiffletree Farm, and other locally sourced goods. Customers can also find breads, fresh fruits and vegetables, honey, gifts, and specialty items.

Paul Uhlenkott said the family is grateful for the support they have received from the town and county. He also thanked Ann from Springtime Nursery for helping them take over the property and get settled.

“It took us a year to do the ribbon cutting because I wanted to get that big sign up,” he said. The sign, made from rough-sawn white oak from Warren County, was an important part of completing the store’s look.

Paul Uhlenkott said the family moved to Front Royal from Idaho 20 years ago and has come to call the area home.

“Idaho is a wonderful state,” he said, “but Front Royal, over 20 years, has really become home to us.”

The family farm is about eight minutes from the store. Paul said the beef is grass-fed, grass-finished, all-natural, and free-range. The family processes beef through Seven Hills in Lynchburg and Gore’s in Stephens City.

Store manager Anna Hickson, Kristin’s sister, helps run the store several days a week. A former teacher of 20 years who recently earned a master’s degree in counseling, Hickson said she never expected to run a farm store, but her background has prepared her well.

“This is just controlled chaos,” she said with a laugh.

Kristin said Anna has become an important part of the business by getting to know customers and helping the store adjust its product offerings to what people need.

The store also promotes itself as a family-friendly destination, with a playground, seating areas, and space for visitors to gather.

Cottonwood Ranch Farm Store is located at 815 Warren Avenue in Front Royal. The store is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

As the ribbon was cut, the event marked more than a business milestone. For the Uhlenkott family, it was a thank-you to the community that has helped turn a former nursery into a growing farm store and gathering place.