While there are several veteran-owned businesses in Fayetteville, and we certainly cannot fit them all here, there are some that definitely stand out. Support local veterans by supporting their local businesses.

Boone Trail Fit Body Boot Camp: Owner Dinah Goodman has a love for fitness and helping people reach their fitness goals. Goodman joined the Army at the age of 17, where she learned she could do more than she thought she was physically capable of doing. Boone Trail Fit Body Boot Camp offers high-powered 30-minute classes. Every workout is professionally designed and led by nationally certified coaches who are driven to help you get the results you want. This fitness center has been voted as Up & Coming Weekly’s Best Veteran-Owned Business of 2022. They are located at 3039 Boone Trail #100.

Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom: The Dirtbag Ales legend began several years ago while its founders were serving in the U.S. Army. One of Dirtbag Ales’ founders, Tito, traded the promise of free beer for life in exchange for a friend’s home-brew kit. There were many long nights of stove-top brews, which led to a homemade all-grain brewing system founded in Tito’s garage. Brew after successful brew led to a new calling for Tito and the preliminary beginnings of Dirtbag Ales Brewery. This staple in Hope Mills has been named Up & Coming Weekly’s Best Venue, Club for Live Music, Bar for Craft Beers, and Best Brew House. They are located at 5435 Corporation Drive.

Heritage Jewelers: This veteran-owned jewelry store is known for military custom jewelry, like the Special Forces Ring. They are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and are open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. They are located at 114 Westwood Shopping Center.

Meraki Creative Agency: At Meraki Creative Agency, joy, happiness and color are their passion. This veteran-owned company dedicates their creative efforts to impact and stimulate the local community. They thrive on helping to design and develop joyful experiences for your personal celebrations, businesses and corporate events. Karoll Echeverri, veteran, and Brittany Cobb, Army spouse, are the ladies behind the business doing the best they can to find joy every day and help your celebrations, large and small, become even more beautiful. To look at their services, go to www.yourlittlejoyshop.com or visit their physical location at 1009 Marlborough Road.

Pressed — A Creative Space: This store sells clothing, crystals and other items of interest for those who see things differently. They are a veteran-owned business in downtown Fayetteville. They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. They are located at 120 Hay Street.

The Virtual Call Center, Inc: This call center provides a wide range of professional support services to hundreds of U.S. Virtual Agents, Freelancers, Sole Proprietors, Client Support Professionals and Independent Contracting Agents, who are certified to deliver high-quality services for a wide range of growing enterprises, national brands and Fortune 500 companies. The work from home movement continues to gain momentum daily. Virtual technology has transformed the way we work. With so many work-from-home opportunities available nationwide, it's important that people decide if the opportunity is reputable and creates work-life balance for their family. This local business is owned by veteran Toya Collins-Younger. To learn more, go to www.jt-virtual.com/.

Triangle Rock Club — Fayetteville: The Triangle Rock Club is a premiere indoor rock climbing center and gym. Their new, state-of-the-art facility offers both lead and top rope climbing, bouldering and a comprehensive fitness center. Don't dread that mundane workout at your ‘average’ fitness center, come to Triangle Rock Club to put some excitement back into your life. This gym is located at 5213 Raeford Road.