Local Businesses
Helping businesses become more visible and making it easier for customers to discover and support them.
ABOUT SHOPTOWNLY
Bringing communities closer, one town at a time.
Discover Local. Shop Local. Live Local.
Our Story
Every town has a story worth discovering.
Every town has a story. It's told through the businesses that serve its neighbors, the restaurants where families gather, the local events that bring people together, and the people who take pride in calling that community home.
But sometimes, the very best things in our communities are the ones we overlook.
That's why I created ShopTownly.
ShopTownly is more than a business directory. It's a growing platform designed to help people discover local businesses, explore their communities, find upcoming events, and connect with the places and people that make each town unique.
Whether you're a longtime resident, someone new to the area, or just passing through, I want ShopTownly to make discovering local easier.
The Reason Behind It
Why ShopTownly Exists
I've lived in Rockingham County, North Carolina, for nearly 50 years. I've watched our communities grow and change, seen businesses come and go, and witnessed how important locally owned businesses are to the character of our towns.
One thing I've always believed is that strong local businesses help build strong communities.
Yet many small businesses don't have the same marketing resources, visibility, or technology available to larger companies. Some have great websites and social media pages. Others depend almost entirely on word of mouth.
I wanted to create something that could help bridge that gap.
A place where a small, family-owned business could be discovered alongside more established businesses. Where local events could reach more people. Where residents could find businesses and services they might not even know existed just a few miles away.
And where every town, regardless of its size, could have a place to showcase what makes it special.
Meet the Founder
Built from experience. Inspired by community.
My name is Mark Myers, and I've spent more than 24 years working in online marketing, e-commerce, and technology, along with years of experience developing websites and custom software.
Through my work with StoneForge Labs and local businesses, I've seen firsthand how the right digital tools can make a meaningful difference.
But ShopTownly isn't simply another technology project for me.
It's an opportunity to bring my professional experience back to the communities that have been part of my life for decades.
I started with Rockingham County because it's home. But the vision extends far beyond one county.
I want ShopTownly to become a place where communities throughout North Carolina and eventually across the country can connect residents, visitors, businesses, and local organizations through one easy-to-use platform.
What We're Building
More Than Just Shopping
Shopping locally is at the heart of ShopTownly, but a community is about much more than where we spend our money.
It's about discovering a neighborhood restaurant, finding a local contractor, attending a weekend festival, exploring a public park, or learning about the schools and organizations that serve our families.
That's why ShopTownly is being designed around three important connections:
Local Events
Giving residents and visitors a central place to find what's happening in their communities.
Community Resources
Connecting people with the schools, parks, places of worship, organizations, and services that help make a town feel like home.
As ShopTownly grows, so will the opportunities to bring these connections together.
Looking Ahead
A Bigger Vision for Local Communities
My long-term vision is to make ShopTownly a resource that towns, counties, chambers of commerce, and community organizations can embrace as their own.
A platform that helps promote local businesses, encourages visitors to explore nearby towns, and gives communities better tools to share what they have to offer.
The goal isn't to replace the relationships that already exist in our towns.
It's to help more people discover them.
You're Part of the Story
Let's Build Something Local
ShopTownly is just getting started, and I'm excited about what it can become.
If you're a resident, I hope you'll use it to discover something new in your own backyard.
If you're a visitor, I hope it helps you experience the places that make our towns special.
And if you're a local business owner, I hope ShopTownly gives you another opportunity to reach the people who want to support you.
Because when we discover local, shop local, and support the people around us, the entire community benefits.
Welcome to ShopTownly.
Mark MyersFounder, ShopTownly
Rockingham County, North Carolina
Rockingham County, North Carolina
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