Our Story
About Groovin’ in the Grove
Groovin’ in the Grove is a locally built community platform created to support Cottage Grove — its people, its businesses, and the connections that make a small town feel like home.
What started as a simple Facebook group has grown into a trusted space where neighbors share recommendations, celebrate local wins, spotlight incredible people, and stay connected to what’s happening around town. This website serves as the home base — a place where those efforts can live beyond social media and continue to grow.
How Groovin’ in the Grove Started
Groovin’ in the Grove started during a time when a lot of people — myself included — were craving something more positive and useful online.
Like many locals, I was watching small businesses struggle to stay visible, neighbors feel disconnected, and online spaces become more negative than helpful. What I didn’t see was a lack of good people or good businesses — I saw a lack of connection and visibility.
So I started a Facebook group with a simple goal: create a space that felt less like a comment section and more like a town square. No drama. No dogpiling. Just neighbors helping neighbors, sharing what’s good, and showing up for the people and places that make Cottage Grove special.
The response was bigger than I expected. The group grew, conversations stayed positive, and people began asking for ways to recognize local businesses, spotlight community members, and keep everything organized. That’s when Groovin’ in the Grove evolved from “just a group” into something more intentional — and eventually into this website.
Why This Exists
Groovin’ in the Grove was created with a simple belief:
supporting local shouldn’t be hard, awkward, or exclusive — it should be normal.
In a small town, visibility matters. Many great businesses, organizations, and people don’t struggle because they lack quality or heart — they struggle because they aren’t seen. This platform exists to help close that gap by creating a positive, fair, and community-driven space where locals lift each other up.
Community-voted features like Business of the Month and Local Legends are designed intentionally. I’m not here to pick favorites or decide who “deserves” attention — I’m just the host. The community decides, which keeps recognition fair, transparent, and meaningful.
Who’s Behind It
I’m Austin Hall — born and raised around Cottage Grove, with roots in blue-collar work, technology, and business. I grew up watching small business owners work incredibly hard, often wearing every hat with little recognition or support. That experience shaped how I see community and why this project exists.
Groovin’ in the Grove isn’t about building a personal brand. It’s about building something useful — something that can last. I believe consistency matters more than perfection, and real momentum comes from showing up, listening, and improving over time.
This platform is meant to feel less like a comment section and more like a town square.
What We Do
Through Groovin’ in the Grove, you’ll find:
A Local Business List to help residents discover and support local shops, services, and organizations
Community-voted spotlights such as Business of the Month and Local Legends
A growing events hub to keep neighbors informed
Free visibility opportunities so anyone can participate
A welcoming online space focused on respect, positivity, and connection
The goal is simple: make it easier for people to support their community and feel proud of where they live.
Working With Local Businesses & Organizations
As Groovin’ in the Grove has grown, I’ve begun meeting with local small businesses and nonprofits to consult, collaborate, and explore ways to support their goals while keeping this platform sustainable.
This includes:
Community sponsorships
Featured supporter opportunities
Consulting and collaboration
Sponsored spotlights or initiatives
These partnerships help fund platform operations, content creation, giveaways, events, and community projects. Any paid partnerships are handled transparently and are designed to support the community as a whole — not to buy influence or override community voice.
Free participation and visibility opportunities will always exist. Paid support simply helps keep the project running and growing in a sustainable way.
Community Support & Contributions
Groovin’ in the Grove is supported by community members and local businesses who choose to contribute financially to help sustain the platform.
Contributions help cover operating costs, content creation, community initiatives, and ongoing improvements. Support is always optional, and participation in the community is never pay-to-play.
How You Can Be Involved
There are many ways to be part of Groovin’ in the Grove:
Join the Facebook community
Submit or update a local business listing
Vote in community spotlights
Share or attend local events
Support through merch, sponsorships, or contributions
Reach out to collaborate
If you believe in supporting local, you already belong here.
Important Transparency Note
Groovin’ in the Grove is a for-profit, locally owned business.
It is not a nonprofit or charity. Sponsorships, purchases, and contributions are not tax-deductible and are used to support operations, platform sustainability, and community initiatives.
“I’m not trying to build a brand.
I’m trying to build something that lasts.”
“If this platform helps one business get noticed, one neighbor feel supported, or one person reconnect with their community — it’s doing its job.”
“Visibility shouldn’t be a luxury in a small town.”