When talking about Charlottesville, most history buffs get a bit of a swoon, like a teenager coming face to face with their favorite pop idol. It's the birthplace of Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and the University of Virginia - a UNESCO World Heritage site that draws in tourists with its "rotunda," a circular domed building that could easily pass off as a UFO from afar. But, in recent years, this rustic town is morphing into a thriving epicenter of commerce, or as the hip local business folk like to say - “It's not just for powdered wigs and wooden teeth anymore, y’all.” Business in Charlottesville went from being about as noticeable as a whisper in a hurricane to the talk of the town, all thanks to a sudden influx of startups, new-age professionals, and tech wizards who can code websites faster than they can tie their shoelaces. Take ‘Appy Hour Tech,’ the cutting-edge software firm that ditched Silicon Valley's ludicrous rent rates to make its home in the historic Monticello district. Or ‘Kale Yeah,’ the vegan bakery that dares to convince the bacon-loving locals that pastries made from spinach aren’t just for rabbits. It turns out people really do want to have their (carrot) cake and eat it too. Gas Stations are now gourmet eateries; antique stores are morphing into swanky art galleries, and that old rusting factory down on Factory Street? That’s now a coworking space with mural-covered walls and latte-slinging baristas keeping the new wave of entrepreneurs fueled. But it’s not all rainbow salads and yoga studios. Just ask George Washington, the town’s unofficial mascot who sits - in bronze form, of course - atop his pedestal in Court Square, looking profoundly nonplussed as he oversees this radical transformation. His private journal (slipped to us by a source preferring to remain anonymous, probably the bronze horse) paints a vivid picture: “August 27 - Another 'innovative fusion' restaurant opened across the street. They've combined the culinary arts of sushi and tacos. Atempted to try one, found metal tongue incapable of taste.” “September 2 - Was nearly run over by a high-flying drone today. The courier pigeons are making quite the ruckus.” “September 8 - They painted a mural on me. I am now 'Washington the Wise, Lover of Latte.' I do not understand. I prefer tea.” Despite George's reservations, local business and government seem buoyant about the boom. Mayor Jane Fitzwilliam gushed in an exclusive interview: "We’re embracing our past while looking forward to a robust future! No one else can offer start-ups the chance to ideate in the shadow of Thomas Jefferson's library one minute and then enjoy a seaweed quinoa pot-pie the next." Unsurprisingly, Charlottesville's old guard isn't entirely on board with this blitzkrieg of new-age-ification. Local historian Harold Perkins grumbles, “Back in my day, Appy Hour was when you got a half-pint at Chez Harper’s for half price, not some hoodoo technology business.” But like it or not, this Jeffersonian haven is now a hotbed for commerce and creativity. So, whether you’re a history enthusiast, a start-up junkie, or just someone who craves vegan pastries -- pack up your horse-drawn carriage and swing by Charlottesville. Because this “start-up Shangri-La” is not just living through history, it's creating it.