OUR VIEW: Two local businesses in the news

» SUMMARY: Owners of two local businesses were in the news last week, but for very different reasons.

In Culpeper, one can't think doughy goodness without thinking of Knakal's Bakery on East Davis Street, co-owned by Ken and Beth Whitt. Apparently, area residents aren't the only ones who crave the sweet goodness emanating from the store.

Knakal's was recently named Best Local Bakery in the 2007 Cooperative Living Magazine Virginia Reader's Choice Awards.
It surely is one of the gems of Culpeper's East Davis Street. For years, family businesses across America have struggled to keep pace with low-price, high-bulk corporate franchises. But Culpeper's downtown is unique because of old-fashioned throwbacks like Knakal's.

When it comes to sweets, it's second nature not to share. But when it comes to Knakal's, we'll gladly share our pride of having a family-run bakery just around the corner.

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The owner of another family-run business made headlines last week as well, but unfortunately the news was not as sweet.

Martin Bernal, owner of El Nopal in downtown Culpeper, was the victim of a house fire Sept. 13 that gutted the upstairs floor. Bernal and his family were able to escape unscathed.

Bernal said the insurance investigator told him a faulty Nintendo DS video game system charger caused the blaze.

Unfortunately, most people in Culpeper only know Bernal from his affiliation with the hot button issue of immigrants' rights. They've never met the man and seen how warm and kind he is.

Put aside the whole politically charged atmosphere, and you'll see that Bernal truly is one of the nicest people in Culpeper - to everyone. Why not stop by El Nopal and pick up a little something. We're sure Bernal would appreciate the business and the show of support during a tough time.