The Shadow
After running into Keisha J. Jones at the Clifton Forge Downtown Market and the Covington Farmer’s Market, the Virginian Review stopped by her storefront, All Over the Place, in Historic Downtown Clifton Forge to inventory her many handmade and antique/vintage offerings.
Jones was in town for a wedding, with enough clothing to change into for two to three days. Crashing on a friend’s sofa, she happened upon Clifton Forge’s Downtown Market. She sat up her table and the rest as they say, is history.
“Whenever I go to any new place, one of the first places I go to is the local farmer’s markets,” said Jones. From her own personal experience, she believes the best people are at those markets. “Those are conscientious humans, they believe in shopping local, they believe in fresh produce. And so, to me those are “your cream of the crop,” added Jones.
She arrived in town from Arizona, with no intention of staying, but fell in love with the topography of the town. “Coming from mountains that are barren, I fell in love with the plushness and the greenery,” said Jones. She was so well received at the market that she decided to stay. At the encouragement of downtown patrons and customers, she was directed to an empty storefront at 505 E. Ridgeway and a place to live within two weeks of her visit.
Jones, also a Massage Therapist, has a massage chair set up in her store and offers “tune-up” massages as well as her many handmade and vintage quality items. If you catch her at one of the markets, she may also be offering handmade soaps, flavored cool-drinks, jewelry, sea salts, vegan popcorn, and various baked items.
When asked of her future plans, Jones explained that she’s “lived all over this country, that’s why my store is called “All Over the Place.” While she is an event planner, “I’m not much of a planner with my life, rather, I allow Spirit to move me,” said Jones. She explained that her intention is to: a) be used the way Spirit believes her to be used, b) access what she can bring to this town that is needed while maintaining who she is. “I’m very familiar with my light and my shadow. It’s all me,” added Jones. Her immediate intention is to collect her tribe and to work from within them.
As she celebrates her business’ one-year anniversary, Jones says she has already collected a decent tribe including an adoptive mom. Her biological mother resides in Chicago, IL. “I keep my circle very small,” said Jones in conclusion.
Jones resides in downtown Clifton Forge and has one son, Kendall, who lives out of state.
All Over the Place is located at 505 E. Ridgeway St. and store hours are Tuesday-Friday from 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., or by appointment at (540) 348-2477. During the summer months, you will also find Jones at the Clifton Forge Downtown Market on Thursday evenings and the Covington Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings.
