Hunt Country’s New Hangouts: Mountain Gap Market, The Rabbit Hole, Maggie’s Corner Café
Written by Lia Hobel | Photos by Sherri Holdridge
From mountain crossroads to small-town main streets, Hunt Country’s locally owned spots are bringing people together through good food and a shared sense of place. New on the scene are Mountain Gap Market, The Rabbit Hole, and Maggie’s Corner Café. Each offers something unique while creating welcoming spaces for neighbors, travelers, and friends to gather.
Mountain Gap Market
119 John Mosby Highway, Paris, VA 20130
Located along Route 50 in Paris, Virginia, Mountain Gap Market feels less like a new business and more like a revival of something Hunt Country has quietly missed. Opened in October 2025, the market sits at the crest of Ashby Gap, where travelers, hikers, and locals have long passed through. Created by husband and wife Andrew and Nicole Taylor, Mountain Gap was built around a simple but deeply rooted mission: to make good food convenient while strengthening community ties in a place rich with history. The market offers fresh produce, locally sourced meats, coffee, donuts, and a growing selection of products.
“We believe there should always be a story behind your food.” –Taylor
The building itself tells part of the story. Before the Taylors began renovations in the summer of 2025, the structure had been many things, including a general store, restaurant, trading post, and most recently, an upholstery shop. For Andrew, whose farming roots run deep, the market is as much about people as it is about produce. “We believe there should always be a story behind your food,” he says. “Farming isn’t just about what you grow; it’s about the people, the land, and the connections you build along the way.”
Looking ahead in 2026, the Taylors plan to introduce new items seasonally and are especially excited to serve hikers during peak hiking season with ice cream, refreshments, and a place to rest and enjoy the beauty of the Ashby Gap.
The Rabbit Hole
8393 W. Main Street, Marshall, VA 20115
Kimmy Lewis, owner of The Rabbit Hole, has always loved books. While studying performing arts in London, she fell in love with the cozy bookshops and cafés of the English high streets and dreamed of bringing that feeling home.
That dream is now taking shape as The Rabbit Hole, a neighborhood bookstore and café in Marshall designed to be a gathering place for readers of all ages.
The shop is operating under a soft opening and will offer everything from bestselling novels to children’s picture books, along with a full espresso bar featuring playful, book-themed drinks. A complete menu of soups, salads, sandwiches, and crepes is in the works, created in partnership with Venus Barratt of the Warrenton Wellness Kitchen to bring delicious, nourishing options to the community. As it launches, The Rabbit Hole is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“We are hoping to open the full shop by the end of April,” Lewis says. “The Rabbit Hole was created to be a cozy gathering place where stories, coffee, good food, and community come together. Marshall’s small-town charm and growing energy make it the perfect home. It’s a community that values local businesses and is excited to see new ideas thrive.”
“The Rabbit Hole was created to be a cozy gathering place where stories, coffee, good food, and community come together.” –Lewis
The Rabbit Hole also is hosting events centered around cookbooks. “The concept is that you buy the cookbook, make a recipe from the book, and then we all come together to share the food we made, potluck-style,” Lewis explains. “On March 15, we are doing the ‘Instant Pot Family Meals’ cookbook — Cook Your Own Pot o’ Gold! We will be doing St. Patrick’s Day trivia for this upcoming event.”
Maggie’s Corner Café — Coming Soon
713 E. Main Street, Purcellville, VA 20132
Still marked as “coming soon,” Maggie’s Corner Café already carries the familiarity of a place locals love. Created by the same team behind Magnolias at the Mill, Maggie’s is set to open in Purcellville this spring with the hope of becoming a casual spot rooted in quality, warmth, and flavor. While the doors have yet to open, the vision is firmly established — one built on the same foundation that made its sister restaurant a community favorite.
According to co-owner Evan Malone, Maggie’s will stay true to what has always defined the group’s approach to food and hospitality. “Magnolias at the Mill has always been centered on fresh, local ingredients. Maggie’s will continue that tradition in Purcellville with locally baked breads and pastries alongside fresh coffee, sandwiches, soups, and salads,” Malone said. “The goal is to create another everyday gathering place for the community.”
“Maggie’s will continue that tradition in Purcellville with locally baked breads and pastries alongside fresh coffee, sandwiches, soups, and salads. The goal is to create another everyday gathering place for the community.” –Malone
That emphasis on “everyday” is what sets Maggie’s apart before it even opens. This isn’t a special-occasion restaurant or a fleeting trend — it’s designed for regular visits, catch-ups with friends, and long mornings to unwind. In a region where community spaces often evolve organically, Maggie’s feels intentionally shaped to meet people where they are, whether they’re stopping in for coffee, meeting someone for lunch, or simply looking for a familiar corner to return to time and again.
Together, Mountain Gap Market, The Rabbit Hole, and Maggie’s Corner Café are poised to become vibrant pillars of their communities, each offering a welcoming space where flavor, warmth, and local spirit flourish. ML
Published in the March 2026 issue of Middleburg Life.